To get started with WelcomeLink, you will need to customize your screening portal to match your company’s brand, upload the house rules and guest agreement as well as connect your Stripe account. 

1. Guest Reservations

Here you will see all reservation details, where you will find everything from guest contact info and stay duration (check-in/checkout) to the current status of their ID verification and guest portal completion.

2. Guest Portal 

2a. General

• Here you will need to update your preferences for what you’d like to collect from your guests prior to confirming their booking. Additionally, you will also be able to customize your branding including a company logo and colors, and a custom domain.

2b. Custom Screen 

• It’s important to ask the right questions. Here are some examples of good screening questions to ask your guests: 

• 1. Please tell me more about yourself and your group.

• 2. What are your plans for your stay? 

• 3. Do you have a LinkedIn profile or other professional online presence?

• 4. Do you have any special requirements for your stay? 

• 5. Do you have any questions about the property?

• 6. Will you need parking?

• 7. Do you have any plans to use the kitchen?

• 8. Do you have any pets traveling with you?

• 9. Confirm you have read the house rules and that you agree to the house rules?

Read more on questions to ask when screening your guests here.

2c. House Rules

• It's important that you list all house rules here for guests to read and agree to. 

2d. Guest Agreement

• It is recommended that you have a guest agreement. If you have one already, simply upload the agreement here. If you don’t have an agreement yet, simply write one out using the text box editor. Your guests will be asked to read this agreement thoroughly before signing.

2e. Thank You Page

• Set a custom Thank You message at the end of the screening link that guests will see. Adding a custom Thank You page allows you to add a personalized message to each guest, leaving a positive impression with your guests.

2f. Booking Platform Rules

• With Custom Rules, you can tailor the guest verification process to fit the specific requirements of each booking platform you work with. For example, you might want to require ID verification for VRBO guests while keeping a more relaxed approach for Airbnb. Simply choose the steps you want to include and assign them to the booking platforms of your choice.

3. ID and Credit Card Verification 

• WelcomeLink allows hosts to easily verify guests' identities and reduces fraudulent bookings by collecting guest IDs, selfies, and validating credit card payments. Before check-in, guests submit their ID and a real-time selfie, ensuring a smooth check-in process and compliance. All collected data is securely stored in your dashboard for easy access.

• To confirm payment legitimacy, WelcomeLink verifies guest credit cards by placing a $1 authorization hold. This simple step helps prevent fraudulent transactions and ensures the provided payment method is valid.

• Collect a security deposit from guests before Check-In with an authorization hold. The funds are securely held and automatically released within three days after checkout. To enable this feature, connect to your Stripe account.

• For credit card verification, you'll need to connect your WelcomeLink account to Stripe. This integration enables seamless payment validation and enhances security. Connect your stripe account at this step in order for the credit card verification functionality to work on the screening portal. Simply follow the steps when clicking ‘Connect’.

4. Listings

• Switch on WelcomeLink for your listings here. You can choose which listings you’d like guest screening to be active for. We recommend activating guest screening for all listings.

5. Welcome Messages

• WelcomeLink comes pre-configured with an email and sms template. 

• SMS templates should be strictly 2000 characters, so be careful about the amount of words used. 

• It is recommended to include the variable {Link} in your email and sms notifications so that the guest screening link is automatically added and sent to your guest.

6. Upsells 

• Enable upsells on WelcomeLink to offer guests additional services before check-in, enhancing their stay while increasing your revenue. This feature allows you to take seamless online payments for extras like early check-in, late check-out, or special amenities.

• To create an upsell, simply click add a new upsell, give the upsell a name, a title, a description, assign it to a unit, and set a price. Guests can select and pay for these add-ons directly through the system, making the process effortless for both you and them.

• You can offer upsells with multiple pricing models including one-time payments, per-night charges, and incremental pricing options.

• Please note that upsells require online payments and can only be used if your Stripe account is connected.

Once you have customized your screening portal, you can enable guest screening by following the steps below: 

1. Login to your Alertify dashboard and navigate to ‘WelcomeLink’. 

2. Select ‘Listings’ at the top and enable the listing you’d like guest screening for. 

3. Once enabled, all new guests from your property management system (PMS) will receive the screening link.

FAQs: WelcomeLink Portal

1. How do I activate WelcomeLink for my guests? 

WelcomeLink can be used manually by creating a new guest to send the screening link to. To activate automatic Welcome Messages, you will need to be integrated with a PMS on your Alertify dashboard and have your units linked. Once you have done that, you can go to “WelcomeLink” and then “Listings” and activate all the listings you want guest verification for. 

2. Why should I collect guests’ IDs and ask them for a selfie? Is this necessary? 

It's a good idea to request guests to provide a copy of their ID and a selfie. This helps verify their identity, including their government-issued name, and ensures it matches the information they provided. Asking for a selfie also allows you to match it with their ID. This process ensures that the person booking the reservation is who they claim to be, and helps you have accurate information in case of any disputes.

3. Why should I set-up Stripe and ask guests for their credit card information?

Connecting your stripe account to the guest verification portal allows you to verify the guest’s credit card information. Verifying a guest’s credit card helps minimize fraudulent chargebacks and allows hosts to check if the credit card information aligns with the guest’s name on the card. If it does not, hosts have the ability to get ahead of any potential issues by contacting the guest and getting the right information before their stay or to simply decline the guest’s booking request.