Once configuration in Autohost is complete, and message automation is set up in Hostaway, 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 Hostaway 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, log into Hostaway, click the 'Inbox' tab > subtab 'Automations'.
Utilize the toggle on the right to turn on the Autohost automated messages: 'Autohost Booking Confirmation', 'Autohost Reminder 1' and 'Autohost Check-In Instructions' automations.
Tip: To avoid any new reservations from receiving the Autohost communications prematurely you may edit the communications to be set for only the individual listing you are testing. To do so, click the 'Edit' button adjacent to the appropriate automation. Once in the automation, scroll down to 'Listings', utilize the 'Unselect all' button to unselect all and then select the appropriate listing you are testing. You will need to change this setting back to 'all' after testing. Additionally, it is recommended that you keep your current communication workflow turned on during testing to avoid any missed messages that should go out.
Note: In order to test 'Autohost Reminder 1' you will need to wait 1 hour (or whichever time frame you've chosen for this automation). If you do not want to wait this time frame, you may recreate a similar automation, utilizing the 'Create Similar' button on the 'Autohost Reminder 1' automation and edit the communication to edit the 'Event Trigger' to be '10 minutes after Reservation'. Please note: unless, you'd like to keep this reminder, make note that you'll need to turn off or delete this automation after testing.
Okay, let's check our work: What have we done so far?
- Identify a test listing.
- Set the listing as ACTIVE in Autohost.
- Toggle on the 'Autohost Booking Confirmation' 'Autohost Reminder 1' and 'Autohost Check-in Instructions' automations in Hostaway.
- Optional: Change individual automations from 'All Listings' to the identified listing to test.
- Optional: Create a similar 'Autohost Reminder1' automation that is set for 10 minutes after booking confirmation, to receive the communication earlier.
Next, create a reservation in Hostaway.
To do so, follow the steps below:
- Log into Hostaway.
- Navigate to the 'Reservations' tab on the left.
- Click the 'Add +' button on the top right of the page.
- Complete the guest reservation details with a valid email address and the specified listing you chose to test.
On average a reservation will take 1-3 minutes to sync from Hostaway 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. In addition to checking the personal inbox of the email recipient, the outbound communications will be documented in the Hostaway reservation's messaging inbox.
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 performed an end-to-end test! If you were unsuccessful in testing any part of this test, or have any questions on settings mentioned, please reach out to your Onboarding Specialist or Autohost Support Team at support@autohost.ai.