Linking to your Hosted Customer Booking Page using supported arguments

Connecting multiple arguments If using multiple options= arguments at once, connect them with a comma and not an ampersand. For example: https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?options=hidedates,hidesearch

 

Use the 'category_id' argument in your links to have the Hosted Booking Page default to a specific category.

Numeric category ID (Inventory > Categories or Inventory > Products) e.g.: category_id=3

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?category_id=3

 

In this example, using items, selecting category_id=22 displays only the Customer items from the Events category.

 

In this example, using products, selecting category_id=6 displays only the Customer products from the Activities category.

Multiple categories should be comma-separated. For example, category_id=2,6 displays both the Tours and Activities categories for items.

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?category_id=2,6

 

Use the 'item_id' argument in your links to have the Hosted Booking Page default to a specific item/product.

Numeric item or product ID (Inventory > Items or Inventory > Products) e.g.: item_id=1

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?item_id=1

 

In this example, using items, selecting item ID 132 displays only the Tournament item to the Customer.

 

In this example, using products, selecting item ID 117 displays only the Kayak Rentals product to the Customer.

 

Use the popup argument in your link to let Guests book an item/product directly and go straight to the pop-up booking window. Add this argument to the hosted booking page URL along with the item ID, e.g., item_id=1&popup=1

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?item_id=1&popup=1

 

 

Directing Customers to the login modal You can also direct your Customers directly to the Customer account login modal. To do this, use the URL: https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?login=1.  Just make sure you replace the demo account prefix with your account!

 

Use the 'date' argument in your link to fast-forward to a specific date. ISO 8601 format (e.g., date=12-24-2020) or a date string (date=Friday, date=Next%20Friday, date=First%20Monday%20of%20next%20month).

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?date=2020-12-24
• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?date=Next%20Friday
• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?date=First%20Monday%20of%20next%20month

 

Use the 'start_date & end_date' argument in your link to display a specific date range. ISO 8601 format (e.g., start_date=2022-07-01&end_date=2022-07-14).

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?start_date=2022-07-01&end_date=2022-07-14

 

Watch the two-minute video above to learn how to create a custom booking URL that points to a single item, which is useful for tracking where bookings are coming from.

• You can generate a custom URL tied to a specific bookable item in Checkfront
• The URL can be used for holiday or seasonal promotions, affiliate partnerships, or social media campaigns
• Attribute bookings to specific channels or referral sources
• Useful for marketing attribution, knowing which campaign or partner drove a booking

Use the 'tid' argument in your link to create a tracking ID, for example: tidf=winter-email. 

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?tid=winter-email 

 

Use the 'discount' argument in your link to automatically apply a discount code (Inventory > Discounts) to the booking.

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?discount=december

Apply a discount code to a specific item (e.g., item_id=3&discount=december)

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?item_id=3&discount=december

 

Use the 'language' argument in your link to display the booking page in a specific system language (e.g., lang_id=fr).

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?lang_id=fr

Make sure you have turned on the language for your account (Manage > Languages)!

 

You can use the 'options=tabs' argument in your link to display categories as tabs rather than a dropdown menu.

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?options=tabs

 

 

You can use the 'options=hidedates' argument in your link to hide the date fields on the booking page.

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?options=hidedates

 

Use the 'options=%2Chidesearch' argument in your link to hide the search field on the booking page.

• https://example.checkfront.com/reserve/?options=%2Chidesearch

 

If you want more customization options, including changing the look and feel of the booking page, please look at our website plugins.

 

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Next Step

In the following article, we look at configuring the Book Now button for the Hosted Booking page.