As a short-term rental host, marketing your property to ensure repeat and referral stays is paramount. Enter StayFi, the innovative brand revolutionizing vacation rental guest Wi-Fi experiences in the hospitality industry and allowing hosts to seamlessly integrate direct marketing into existing bookings.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Arthur Colker, the Founder & CEO of StayFi, for a Q&A. Read on as we delve into StayFi's mission, services, and how they're reshaping the guest experience landscape.
Q: What is StayFi’s founding story? What was the inspiration behind starting the company?
A: In 2018, StayFi emerged from a straightforward need that exists in the short-term rental industry, lack of guest data. We addressed this gap in the STR market by enabling operators to collect valuable guest data for direct bookings. This move towards direct engagement not only reduces reliance on online travel agencies (OTAs) but also opens up new marketing opportunities, marking a significant shift in how STR operators connect with guests.
Q: What has been the hardest part about getting StayFi to where it is today?
A: The biggest challenge has been educating the market. Many vacation rental operators didn't initially see the value of WiFi as more than just a utility. Changing this perspective to view WiFi as a powerful marketing tool required consistent effort and successful case studies.
Q: What are the different services/products StayFi offers? And what makes you unique?
A: We offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to enhance guest engagement and direct marketing for vacation rental operators. Our offerings include:
- Guest Data Collection: Efficiently gather guest information for marketing and insights and integrate existing data via almost any PMS.
- Branded WiFi Splash Pages: Customizable pages for brand exposure and seamless guest WiFi access.
- Email & SMS Marketing: Integrated tools to engage guests with targeted, personalized communication.
- WiFi Monitoring & Outage Alerts: Real-time monitoring to ensure consistent guest connectivity.
- Customizable Homepage: A dynamic landing page for guests, offering a fully customizable experience with options for upselling local experiences through partners like The Host Co. and Viator and offering guidebook access, direct booking links, and more.
Q: How would you describe StayFi, and the value it offers, to someone who is just starting out in the vacation rental industry?
A: For newcomers, StayFi is like having a digital concierge that welcomes every guest at WiFi sign in and introduces them to your property and brand. It’s a tool that helps you understand who every guest that stayed at your property is, engage them with personalized marketing, and ultimately turn them into loyal, returning customers.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception around StayFi? Or something you want to shout from the rooftops to your current and prospective customers?
A: There's a common thought out there that StayFi is all about collecting guest data, and honestly, that's where our journey began. But as we've grown and listened to the needs of vacation rental operators, our services have naturally evolved. Now, we're not just about gathering data; we've built a platform that makes this data incredibly valuable and actionable for our customers.
We've developed a range of tools, from advanced email and SMS marketing to innovative features like customizable WiFi splash pages and our exciting new Home Page feature to offer more ways to generate incremental revenue which enhances the guest experience. Our growth mirrors the journey of our customers – starting with a simple need and evolving into a comprehensive solution that touches every aspect of guest engagement and property branding.
Q: Could you provide insights into how StayFi's integrated marketing technology supports vacation rentals in increasing profitability and fostering guest loyalty?
A: When it comes to increasing profitability, it essentially boils down to the surge in direct bookings leading to greater profits. This can result from either a boost in overall occupancy rates or the substantial savings accrued by bypassing OTA fees. Our array of tools, from WiFi splash pages that gather guest data to our guest marketing communication tools, are all finely tuned to amplify these direct bookings.
Regarding guest loyalty, I believe it stems from a blend of our efforts in establishing the operator as a distinct brand through personalization, coupled with the comprehensive suite of marketing tools we offer for re-engaging past guests. If you're unable to distinguish yourself from the initial booking agent, the opportunity to retain that guest is lost. Similarly, even if a guest is somewhat aware of who you are, lacking their contact information and the necessary channels to reach out means missing the chance to cultivate their loyalty.
Q: In what ways does StayFi allow vacation rental operators to incorporate branding into their WiFi splash pages, and how do you think this enhances the guest experience?
A: Every element of customization we offer goes towards helping vacation rental operators make a lasting impression. It's not just about the stay itself; it's about how guests remember you. That's why we've made it super easy to put your brand front and center.
Our platform lets you tweak the WiFi splash pages to feel like they're truly yours. You can pop in your logo, pick your brand colors, and even use your own fonts and images. They might seem like small elements, but it makes a big difference. Every time guests log into WiFi, they're seeing your brand, not just some generic login page. It's these little touches that help your brand stick in their minds, long after they've checked out.
Q: Are there any notable success stories from customers that come to mind where StayFi has significantly changed the way folks in the vacation rental industry think about the value of direct marketing?
A: One of our clients, Cozi Vacation Rentals, saw a dramatic shift in their business after implementing StayFi. Before us, they relied heavily on OTAs, which was eating into their profits. By using our services, Cozi managed to increase their direct booking rate by a staggering 30%. This was a game-changer for them, as it significantly reduced their reliance on third-party platforms.
Q: Where can people go to learn more about setting up StayFi in their properties?
A: Prospective clients are welcome to visit our website or contact our sales team for a comprehensive guide on setting up StayFi in their properties. We provide personalized consultations, as well as group webinar demos, to ensure smooth integration. After creating their account, customers can access our extensive knowledge base for answers to most of their questions, or they can reach out to our support team, which is available seven days a week.
Q: Are there any requirements (ie. minimum # of properties) to be able to work with StayFi?
A: We pride ourselves on being accessible and flexible, so there are no stringent requirements like a minimum number of properties to start working with StayFi. Whether you're managing a single property or overseeing a vast portfolio of vacation rentals, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to empower every client, big or small, with the tools they need to succeed.
Q: What are you most excited about for 2024?
A: For 2024, we're thrilled to bring to our customers some big advancements, especially with our new Home Page feature. This addition, along with strategic partnerships with The HostCo and Viator, opens up incredible upselling opportunities, enabling our clients to offer more local experiences to their guests while boosting their revenue. We're also making email marketing more accessible by offering it for free to those with under 200 contacts.
Later in the year, we plan to roll out further enhancements to our email marketing services, making them even easier to use and more effective in driving bookings and guest engagement. These developments are just a few examples of how we're planning on innovating the product, but as always, we'll be actively seeking feedback from our customers to ensure that we're prepared to pivot and deliver exactly what they need.
Check out more about StayFi on their website!
