Northlab Research · Riad Direct ·
Riad Direct FAQ: booking, software and costs
Practical answers for riad owners.
How much commission does Booking.com charge a Moroccan riad?
There is no universal published Moroccan riad rate. Booking.com says the exact rate depends on the country, property type and accommodation agreement. Check your agreement and Finance reservation statements. Any 17% figure in our calculator is an editable modelling assumption, not your contractual rate.
Should I leave Booking.com to get direct bookings?
Not automatically. Keep profitable discovery channels while giving guests who already know the property a clear official booking route. Compare contribution after commission, payment, software and acquisition costs. Do not divert an active OTA enquiry in breach of its terms.
Is direct booking free?
No. Avoiding OTA commission does not remove payment processing, booking-engine subscriptions, website costs, staff time or acquisition costs. Use a cost worksheet with your own figures rather than a guaranteed-savings claim.
Can a riad take direct bookings without replacing its PMS?
Often a supported link or embed from an existing booking engine is enough for the website layer. Compatibility must be confirmed with that supplier and plan. A website does not replace the PMS or synchronize OTA inventory by itself.
Is a WhatsApp button a booking engine?
No. It starts a conversation. Unless a separate system checks inventory and confirms the stay, label it a booking request rather than instant confirmed availability. Someone at the property must own the response.
What is the difference between a PMS, a channel manager and a booking engine?
A PMS supports property operations; a channel manager distributes inventory and rates across supported channels; a booking engine is the guest-facing booking flow. A supplier may bundle these roles, but verify the actual functions and integrations.
Will a new website automatically get Google hotel booking links?
No. A website alone is not proof of eligibility or a working hotel price/availability connection. Confirm the requirements and connection with a supported provider. Riad Direct does not promise hotel free-booking-link activation.
What does the €49 Riad Direct audit include?
A human-reviewed check of the public booking path: a test of the journey where one exists, notes on visible engine or payment friction, and a one-page prioritized fix list. Target timing: within 48 working hours after required materials arrive; confirm the schedule before ordering. One-time payment. The automated OTA-cost estimate is a separate free preview. It is not a software subscription, implementation project, ranking guarantee or promise of more bookings.
Does the €290 website include a booking engine subscription?
No. The €290 offer is a templated 4–6 page starter site using your text and photos. Live booking-engine integration, translation, hosting and support are quoted separately (hosting and routine support are available as Care at €19/month). No third-party subscription or payment-processing charges are included.
Who provides Riad Direct?
Riad Direct is the riad website and public booking-path audit offer presented under the trade name Northlab Research.
Booking.com: official commission explanation · Direct booking cost worksheet (EN)
See scope and prices
Booking-path check: €49 (one-time) · 4–6 page starter site: €290 (one-time) · Care: €19/month (hosting and support, separate). Booking-engine integration and translation quoted separately. Prices exclude VAT; VAT added where applicable. No bookings, rankings or savings guaranteed.
See scope and prices