How to Accept Bookings on Your Website Without Hiring a Developer

Jarod LaFalce

Co-Founder / COO of BookingTerminal

Published on: July 8, 2025 | Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

It Shouldn’t Be This Hard

Whether you're a new business owner or just haven’t made the move online yet, the idea of setting up online bookings can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re worried you don’t have the technical skills — or the cash to hire a developer.

But the truth is, you don’t need either.

Today’s booking platforms are built to get you online fast — they can generally meet your timeline, and often at little to no cost. With the right tool, you can start accepting bookings directly through your website, no custom code or outside help required.

What You Actually Need (It’s Less Than You Think)

You might be surprised to learn that getting started with online bookings only requires two basic tools:

• Booking Software: A platform that digitizes your offerings and makes them available for customers to book in real time. (This post explains some considerations to account for.)
• A Simple Website: Nothing fancy — just a clear, conversion-friendly page that explains what you offer and includes “Book Now” buttons in the right places. Tools like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress make this possible without writing a single line of code.

With just a little upfront effort, you can get your company online — and stay there. Many operators try to start with too much and burn out before they even launch. Start simple. Get live. Upgrade later — if you need to.

How the Process Works — Step by Step

The process for building your company’s online booking capabilities is generally very simple. Feel free to check out BookingTerminal’s onboarding process to see how simple it can be.

1. Build Your Simple Website (or find a booking software company that will)

   Your website is your digital storefront. It legitimizes your offerings, gives customers the confidence to book, and serves as the home for your booking widget. If you’re handling it yourself, tools like Squarespace or WordPress are simple, affordable options that don’t require writing a single line of code.

   Want to outsource it? Some booking platforms offer website services for far less than a custom developer. (Check out BookingTerminal’s BT Pages if you’re looking for an example.)

2. Choose the Right Booking Software

   Start by gathering reviews and recommendations: ask other operators what they use, check social media discussions, and read through review sites like Capterra or G2.

   Then dig into functionality: Can it handle your booking flow? Does it offer the features you need? Will it scale as your business grows?

   Browse vendor sites, then book demos with your top picks. Be direct about your operational needs — a good platform should be able to handle them without workarounds.

3. Onboard and Go Live

   Once you choose a platform, their team should walk you through the onboarding process — typically including adding your offerings (dates, times, pricing, etc.), connecting to their payment processor, and getting your "Book Now" links or embed code.

   From there, it’s just a matter of placing the link on your site — and you're live. That’s it. You’re ready to accept online bookings.

What to Avoid

Not all booking software is created equal — and not all of it is built for tour operators. When you’re making the move online, it’s important to choose a platform designed specifically for your use case.

Here are a few common traps to avoid:

• Appointment Scheduling Software

  These tools might look clean and simple, but they’re often too simple for tour operators. They’re built for salons, spas, and professional services — businesses that don’t need group sizes, capacity controls, advanced reporting, and more. You may get by for a while, but most operators who start here end up switching later when they hit a wall.

• Platforms That Require Customer Accounts

  The goal of your booking experience should be speed and clarity. Every extra click increases the risk of drop-off. Some platforms require customers to create an account just to book. These tools are usually built for ecommerce shops or membership-based businesses where repeat usage is the norm. For tours and activities, this is unnecessary friction — and it costs you conversions.

• Setup or Onboarding Fees

  If a vendor charges just to help you get started, that’s a red flag. Strong support should be part of the relationship — not something that’s paywalled. Charging for onboarding often signals a lack of long-term service mindset. Look for platforms that help you get live quickly and support you without extra fees tacked on.

Bottom line: choose software that’s made for tour operators, respects your time, and doesn’t punish you for needing help.

How BookingTerminal Makes It Easy

BookingTerminal was built specifically for tour operators and attractions — not generic service businesses.

If you're looking to get online without the hassle, we offer two simple solutions: Our booking software makes it easy to manage your availability, take payments, and automate communication — no setup fees, no confusing dashboards.

And if you also need a website, we’ve got you covered there too. For just $25/month, we’ll design and manage a site that showcases your offerings and connects seamlessly to your booking flow.

More importantly, we don’t disappear after onboarding. You’ll always have access to a real support team that knows your business and your setup — so you’re never left figuring things out alone.