iPRO Channel Manager Overview - Getting Started

Modified on Wed, 26 Jun, 2024 at 10:08 AM

What is the iPRO Channel Manager?
The Setup Process

What is the iPRO Channel Manager?

iPRO sets and maintains the Listing Quality Standards required by all sales channels, ensuring legal compliance and optimum consistency all in one place. In essence, iPRO's Channel Manager is your conduit to these channels, allowing you to update and distribute property details efficiently across your chosen sales channels.

Sales Channels like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com provide access to a huge pool of guests to help you drive bookings and optimise your occupancy. Whether you've been using the sales channels already, or this your first time, you can manage everything through iPRO.

Channel Management can be a key aspect of your business and there are huge rewards when you leverage the sales channels effectively. However, due to the unique rules and strict demands of each sales channel, it's vitally important that you and your team fully understand how the process works and how to avoid common pitfalls.

The following guides will walk you through how to get set up on iPRO's Channel Manager and how to continually manage your portfolio effectively to ensure optimal revenue and commission.

The Setup Process

1. Activate the iPRO Channel Manager in your control panel

You'll need to check that the Channel Manager is available in your subscription. Read how to activate the iPRO Channel Manager here.

2. Complete the Channel Registration Form & Configure the Channel Manager

You provide the legal and compliance information required by the sales channels which iPRO will then send to them. See 'Step 2: Add iPRO Channel Manager' here.

3. Ensure your Data-readiness

When connecting iPRO to the sales channels, there are strict guidelines that your data must adhere to. Next, you'll need to check, update and confirm that your data is complete. This includes:

Rates
Room data
Amenities
Distances
Extras
Mandatory fees
Images

See how to do that here.

4. Book a 30-minute 'Channel Health Check' with our team

To make sure everything is set up correctly. Click here to arrange the meeting.

5. Decide which channels you use, or intend to use

Select your chosen Sales Channels. See 'Step 5: Connect properties to your chosen sales channels' here.

6. Onboard your properties to the first sales channel

6.1 If you have an existing account with a sales channel

Select the sales channel and enter your login credentials to connect iPRO.
Then, synchronise your properties between iPRO and the sales channel.

6.2 If you do NOT have an existing account with any sales channel

Create an account with the sales channel through iPRO.
Then, select and push your chosen properties to the sales channel from iPRO.

We recommend that, if possible, you onboard your properties with AirBnB first, because this has the widest reach and has the most robust integration. Test thoroughly and get familiar with the process. Once you're comfortable, move ahead and onboard further sales channels. To maximise your coverage (and bookings), plan to onboard at least the 'big three', AirBnB, Booking.com and Vrbo.