Friction Points: What’s Causing Guests to Bail? 

You’ve done the hard work. Your property looks great, your listing is live, and you’re ready for more bookings. 

But guests aren’t converting like you expected. Why? 

Often, it comes down to friction in the booking journey. These are the subtle blockers that can quietly turn excited browsers into lost opportunities. 

Here are the most common culprits to watch out for: 

1. Checkout forms that feel like paperwork 

If booking your property feels more like filling out a mortgage application, guests won’t stick around. Long, complicated forms are one of the biggest conversion killers. 

Ask yourself: Can someone book in under 2 minutes without switching devices or digging through their wallet? 

2. Payment delays or redirects 

If guests have to wait for an invoice, open a new tab, or go through multiple steps to pay, you’re adding friction right when they’re most ready to commit. 

Solution: Instant, secure payment at the point of booking. No waiting, no chasing. 

3. Unclear or confusing pricing 

Unexpected fees or vague total costs can shake guest confidence. If someone isn’t sure what they’re paying—or when—they’re more likely to abandon the process. 

Tip: Be transparent. Clear pricing builds trust and reduces hesitation. 

4. No instant confirmation 

If a guest pays but doesn’t get immediate confirmation, they may question whether the booking went through. That uncertainty can lead to support emails or cancellations.   

Fix: Automated confirmations reassure guests and reduce admin for you. 

The fix is simpler than you think. 

You don’t need to overhaul your website or change your whole setup. Sometimes, a single change can dramatically improve the guest experience and your conversion rate. 

Here’s how SuperControl can help remove the friction: 

• Enable HolidayRentPayment: Offer secure, instant card payments at the point of booking so guests can commit without delays or drop-off. 

• Automate guest communication: Use Auto Emails to send instant confirmations and pre-arrival messages, giving guests the responsive experience they expect. 

• Simplify your booking form: Keep it short, clear, and easy, so guests can book without hesitation.

Want to know where your booking journey stands? Try our booking journey quiz to see where you could make tweaks.

Small tweaks now can lead to more bookings, less admin, and a better guest experience, just in time for peak season.