(Because your website should do more than just look pretty.)

If you’re running a motel, guesthouse, or vacation rental, your website isn’t just a brochure anymore but your most valuable sales channel. The next step after building it is making sure it’s connected to your Property Management System (PMS), so your availability, prices, and bookings stay perfectly in sync.

Now, the good news is that most modern PMS platforms already make this easy.

• Mews PMS, for example, offers three ways to connect your website — through an embeddable booking widget, a JavaScript widget, or a full API integration. Their Booking Engine Widget can be added directly to your site, letting guests check availability and book without leaving your page.
• Cloudbeds PMS provides similar tools, with a built-in booking engine and open API so you can either use their plug-and-play widgets or go for a deeper integration later on.
• Lodgify, which is especially popular for vacation rentals, gives you an embeddable booking widget that works with any website builder (like Webflow, Wix, or Squarespace). Just copy, paste, and start taking bookings, no heavy tech work required.

So whether you’re using Mews, Cloudbeds, Lodgify, OwnerRez or another modern PMS, you already have several “easy ways to integrate” your system with your website. You don’t need to be a tech pro to get started, you just need to choose which connection method fits your setup best.

In this article, I’ll walk you through those three main ways to connect your PMS to your website:

1. Embeddable Widget — the easiest way to get started (just paste and go).
2. JavaScript-Integrated Widget — a more polished option that blends better with your brand.
3. Full API Integration — the most advanced, seamless option for those ready to scale.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to turn your website into a real booking engine one that works 24/7, syncs perfectly with your PMS, and helps you get more direct bookings without paying OTA commissions.

Why Connecting Your PMS to Your Website Matters

If you’re still managing availability and bookings manually or relying only on OTAs, you’re leaving money (and time) on the table.

Your PMS is where all your data lives, your rooms, rates, bookings, and guest info. So when it’s connected directly to your website:

• Guests can book in real time, without calling or waiting for confirmation.
• You avoid double bookings because availability updates automatically.
• You control your pricing, promotions, and guest experience.
• You rely less on OTAs, meaning fewer commissions and more profit.

Connecting your PMS to your site turns it from a static brochure into a live booking engine. So, win win!

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1. The Booking-Engine URL or Embeddable Widget (Easiest Option)

What it is

This is the fastest and simplest way to take direct bookings through your website. Instead of building a custom integration, your PMS gives you a hosted booking-engine link — a URL that takes guests directly to your live booking page.

You can use that link in a few different ways:

• Add a “Book Now” button on your website that opens the booking page in a new tab.
• Embed the booking page in an iframe (if allowed by your PMS).
• Some systems, like Lodgify, also provide an embeddable widget (a small section of code you paste into your site) that displays your availability and booking calendar right on the page.

For example:

• Mews provides a hosted booking-engine URL that you can link directly from your site or wrap in an iframe.
• Cloudbeds gives you a customizable booking-engine link that opens your branded booking page.
• Lodgify offers a copy-and-paste widget that can be dropped into any CMS or website builder.

How to set it up

1. Log into your PMS dashboard.
2. Locate the “Website Integration” or “Booking Engine” section.
3. Copy the booking-engine URL or widget code.
4. Add it to your website (for example, link it to your “Book Now” button).
5. Test the flow on desktop and mobile.

Pros

✅ Quick setup, no developer needed
✅ Works with any website platform (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
✅ Uses your PMS data automatically (rates, availability, restrictions)

Cons

❌ Guests notice the booking opens on a new page, and it has a big impact on conversion. The trust you built up with your website, has to be built again when opening up a *new* booking page. 
❌ Limited customization options, some booking widget can look clunky and old.

Perfect for you if…

You want to start taking direct bookings today with minimal setup and no coding.

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2. The JavaScript-Integrated Widget

What it is

This method uses a small JavaScript snippet instead of a simple link or iframe. It lets your PMS’s booking engine appear directly inside your site, keeping guests on the same page while they check availability and book.

Systems like Mews, Cloudbeds, and Lodgify all offer this option for a smoother and more branded experience.

How to set it up

1. Ask your PMS for their JavaScript widget documentation.
2. Copy the provided code snippet.
3. Add it to your website’s header, footer, or booking section.
4. Use your site’s styles (CSS) to match the design to your brand.
5. Test the widget flow to ensure bookings are confirmed correctly in your PMS.

If you are using Webflow, I wrote a breakdown on how to do this for MEWs in this article.

Pros

✅ Seamless look and feel (keeps guests on your domain)
✅ Faster and more modern user experience
✅ Easier to track conversions and user behavior

Cons

❌ Slightly more technical to set up
❌ Depends on your PMS’s widget flexibility

Perfect for you if…

It's not your first rodeo, and you know it's worth it. You want your booking flow to feel completely integrated.

3. Full API Integration (Advanced Option)

What it is

An API integration connects your website directly to your PMS’s database, no widgets, no external links. This is the most advanced, customizable, and scalable option.

With an API, your website can:

• Display real-time availability and prices
• Process bookings and payments
• Push confirmed reservations straight into your PMS

For example:

• Mews API allows developers to read and write bookings, manage guests, and update inventory.
• Cloudbeds API lets you sync reservations, payments, and even housekeeping data.

How to set it up

1. Request API credentials from your PMS provider.
2. Hire a web developer familiar with API integrations.
3. Design your booking flow and connect it to the PMS endpoints.
4. Test every step thoroughly (website → PMS → confirmation).

Pros

✅ 100% branded experience
✅ Real-time, two-way synchronization
✅ Fully scalable — ideal for multi-property operations

Cons

❌ Higher upfront cost and setup time
❌ Probably requires developer support and ongoing maintenance

Perfect for you if…

You’re managing multiple properties or want full creative control over the booking journey. You're noticing repeat guests only book through emails, because your booking flow is not smooth enough.

Implementation Checklist

✅ Check your PMS documentation (Mews, Cloudbeds, Lodgify, etc.) to see what connection methods they offer.
✅ Choose your preferred integration method: URL, JavaScript widget, or API.
✅ Add the booking link or code to your site and test the flow.
✅ Set up tracking (Google Analytics or GA4) to monitor conversions.
✅ Keep an eye on performance, your goal is to increase direct bookings month after month.

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If you’re a motel or vacation rental owner, connecting your PMS to your website doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.

Start with what’s easiest: a booking-engine URL or widget. As your business grows, move toward JavaScript or API integration for a smoother, more customized experience.

Every booking that comes through your own site is one less commission you pay to an OTA, and one more loyal guest booking directly with you.

Your PMS is already powerful. When it’s connected to your website, it becomes your best direct booking engine.

And of course, if you have any questions, I'd love to help out. Feel free to book a time here.

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