Summary
Keep full control of your marketing and website design while still accepting direct bookings through Host Tools. Checkout only mode creates a streamlined booking page that you can link to from your own website, giving you the flexibility to manage your brand presence while leveraging Host Tools for booking management and payment processing.
Before You Start
Before setting up checkout-only mode, make sure you have:
Your own website, where you want to send guests.
⚠️ Important: Checkout only mode is only available for single listing direct booking sites, not listing groups.
Steps
Accessing Your Direct Booking Settings
Navigate to
Settings > Direct BookingClick the Edit button next to the direct booking site you want to configure
Enabling Checkout Only Mode
Scroll down to find the Checkout Only toggle
Toggle the switch to enable checkout-only mode
Click Save to update your settings
Linking from Your Website
Once checkout-only mode is enabled, you can link to your checkout page from your website:
Copy your direct booking site URL (shown in the Direct Booking settings)
Add a "Book Now" button or link on your website that points to this URL
When guests click the link, they'll go directly to the booking checkout page
💡 Pro tip: If you've set up a custom domain, you can use that URL for a more professional look (e.g., book.yourbrand.com).
What Guests Experience
In checkout-only mode, guests will see a streamlined booking page that focuses on:
Selecting their dates
Viewing pricing
Entering their information
Completing payment (if Stripe is connected)
This differs from a full direct booking site, which includes property photos, descriptions, and amenities. With checkout-only mode, you provide all that information on your own website.
Troubleshooting
The checkout only toggle is grayed out
Checkout only mode is only available for single listing direct booking sites. If you have a listing group selected, this option will be disabled. Create a separate direct booking site for a single listing to use this feature.
My checkout page looks different from what I expected
In checkout-only mode, the page shows a simplified booking form rather than a full property listing. This is the expected behavior—guests should learn about your property on your website before clicking through to book.
Guests are confused about where to find property details
Make sure your website provides all the information guests need (photos, amenities, house rules, etc.) before they click through to the checkout page. The checkout page is designed to be the final step in the booking process.
FAQ
Can I use checkout-only mode with a listing group?
No, checkout-only mode is only available for single listing direct booking sites. If you want to showcase multiple properties, use a full direct booking site for your listing group.
Do I still get all the same features (ID verification, contracts, etc.)?
Yes, you can still enable ID verification, contract signing, and payment processing with checkout-only mode. These features work the same way as with a full direct booking site.
Can I customize the checkout page appearance?
The checkout page uses your logo and branding from your direct booking site settings. You can also set up a custom domain to make the URL match your brand.
Why would I use checkout only instead of a full direct booking site?
Checkout only mode is ideal if you:
Already have a website with detailed property information
Want full control over your property presentation and SEO
Prefer to manage your marketing and branding separately
Want to drive traffic to your own website first