Once configuration in Autohost is complete, and message automation is set up in Guesty, utilize this guide to run an end-to-end test to experience how your guests will navigate your new guest screening workflow.
First, identify a listing to utilize for your test. We recommend testing a listing that has open availability in the next 1-2 days, therefore you may test receiving your check-in instructions as this communication is generally sent by most hosts 1 to 2 days before arrival.
Once you've identified which listing you'd like to test, log into Autohost and select the 'Listings' tab.
Filter your listings to 'Inactive' or 'All'.
Find the appropriate listing you've identified you'd like to test on. Click the box adjacent to the listing name. Note: While the 'Test Listing' is selected in the photo below, this listing is created in Autohost only. This listing will not apply for testing the use of Guesty automations.
Utilize the 'BULK EDIT' button to 'Set listings as ACTIVE'.
This listing is now 'active' any new reservations created in this listing will automatically import into Autohost, including non-test reservations.
Next, in Guesty, navigate to 'Automations' and activate the 'Autohost Workflow' utilizing the toggle on the right.
Tip No. 1: To avoid any new reservations from receiving the Autohost communications prematurely you may edit the Autohost Workflow in Guesty to be set for only the individual listing you are testing. To do so, click the ellipsis on the right, and click 'edit'. Once in the workflow, change the 'Properties' setting on the left from 'All' to 'Specific' and select the appropriate listing. Once selected, click 'Activate'. You will need to change this setting back to 'all' after testing. Additionally, I would keep your current communication workflow turned on during testing to avoid any missed messages that should go out.
Tip No. 2: To test the 'Reminder 1' Message, set the communication to 10 minutes instead of an hour so you receive the test communication right away. To do so, click the ellipsis on the right, and click 'edit'. Once in the workflow, click the 'Reminder 1' message to edit. Change the 'When should this message be sent?' to '10 minutes after Booking Confirmation'. Click 'Save' on the message and 'Activate' on the workflow. You will need to change this setting back to the previous timeframe after testing.
Check your work: What have we done so far?
- Identify a test listing.
- Set the listing as ACTIVE in Autohost.
- Turn on the 'Autohost Workflow' in Guesty.
- Optional: Change the Guesty Communication workflow from 'All Properties' to the identified listing to test.
- Optional: Change the 'Reminder1' message to 10 minutes to receive the communication earlier.
Next, create a confirmed reservation in Guesty.
To do so, click the + sign on the top right corner of Guesty.
Select 'New reservation'.
Fill out the appropriate information > Start Date > End Date > choose the specific property 'or listing' we've chosen to test.
When completing the final reservation details ensure the reservation has a valid email and the status is 'Confirmed'.
On average a reservation will take 1-3 minutes to sync from Guesty to Autohost.
The following should happen automatically:
- The 'Booking Confirmation' email from the 'Autohost Workflow' should be sent to the email used on the reservation.
- The reservation should flow into Autohost. To check this, log into Autohost, select the Reservations tab and view the upcoming reservations, or utilize the search bar on the top of the page to search for the reservation by name.
- If both of the items happened successfully, continue to the next test.
Checking the 'Reminder1' Message:
At the time set, you should receive a message if you have not yet completed the Guest Portal. If you set this message to be ten minutes per the tip above, check back in ten minutes to see if you've recieved this communication.
Now, let's continue as the guest would: on the Booking Confirmation or Reminder1 email, click the link to the guest portal.
On the first page of the guest portal you should see your company logo on the left, and the primary listing photo on the right hand side. If either image does not show up, contact your onboarding specialist or support@autohost.ai for assistance.
Complete each page on the Guest Portal to review each individual screen checking for error, or any pending changes/adjustments that you'll need to make prior to your Go Live call. Completing the guest portal will familiarize yourself with what your guests will experience going through the guest portal.
For more information on customizing your Guest Portal, refer to the video sent to you by your Onboarding Specialist in the first section of the Self Guided 'homework' Module 1.
Once you've completed the Guest Portal as a guest, log back into Autohost to review the reservation on the Dashboard.
You may search the reservation by utilizing the search bar on the top right of the Autohost Dashboard OR you may view it on the Reservations tab.
To learn more about 'Best Practices to Review a Guest' refer to this article:
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Now that we've reviewed our 'Guest', if they have not yet been 'Verified' then let's go ahead and 'Approve' the guest utilizing the green 'APPROVE' button on the reservation details page of the test reservation.
Now that your guest is 'Approved' or 'Verified', let's ensure the check-in instructions message sends successfully. As a reminder, the reminder messages and check-in instructions are sent from Guesty to 'Stargate' where it will be held until the conditions are met. Guesty will send guests messages even if the scheduled time has passed as will Autohost.
It is normal for the communication to take a 1-5 minutes on average before sending from Stargate to the guest.
If you do not see your communication in your inbox, or you simply want to check the status of the communication, you can log into Autohost, search the reservation, once on the Reservation Details tab, switch to the subtab 'Stargate' and review the message logs, as shown below:
Tip: If you manipulated any of the communications above for testing purposes, this is your reminder to change them back. Additionally, once your test is complete, please feel free to cancel the reservation booked.
Congratulations, you've performed an end-to-end test!
If you have any questions or if you had an unsuccessful end-to-end test, follow up with your Onboarding specialist or seek assistance from our Support Team at support@autohost.ai