Commission-free restaurant booking systems: what to check
By Steve Evans, founder of Table Harmony and restaurant owner in Alicante.
Published
If you are looking for a commission-free restaurant booking system, you probably want to accept reservations without paying an additional fee each time someone books.
That can make costs more predictable. However, “commission-free” describes one part of the price, so it is worth checking exactly what the service includes.
What does commission-free mean?
A commission-free booking system does not charge a commission on the reservations it handles.
It may still charge a monthly or annual subscription. Optional services may also cost extra.
When comparing systems, ask whether there are any per-booking or per-cover charges, and whether different rules apply to different booking channels.
A clear answer should let you calculate what you would pay in a quiet month and a busy one.
Direct bookings and customer discovery serve different purposes
A direct booking link lets guests reserve through places such as your website, social profiles or a QR code.
This is useful when someone has already found your restaurant and wants to book.
A restaurant marketplace may also help people discover places to eat. Depending on the provider, bookings from that channel may involve separate fees or commercial terms.
Consider both services on their merits: what helps you manage existing demand, and what brings you additional customers?
Assess the value of any commission
A charge per guest is not automatically poor value. If a service introduces profitable new customers, you may decide the cost is worthwhile.
But you need to understand what you are paying for.
Ask which reservations attract charges, how cancellations and no-shows are handled for billing, and whether guests who already know your restaurant can book directly without those charges.
These details help you compare the value of customer discovery with the cost of processing a reservation.
Make direct booking easy to find
If you offer direct online reservations, make the link easy to access.
Useful places include:
- A clear “Book a table” button on your website.
- Your social media profiles.
- Replies to booking enquiries.
- A QR code on suitable printed materials.
Test the process on a phone. Guests should understand whether they are making a confirmed booking or submitting a request.
Keep your phone and messaging options clear, too, if you continue accepting reservations that way.
Check the booking tools as well as the price
A commission-free system still needs to suit your service.
Check table management, booking durations, arrival limits and how staff add or change reservations.
Also consider whether you want automatic confirmation, booking requests or a combination based on party size.
Our guide to choosing a restaurant booking system covers these checks in more detail.
How Table Harmony handles booking charges
Table Harmony charges a subscription and does not charge commission on bookings.
Both Harmony and Harmony Plus include table management and the choice of booking requests, automatic confirmation or a combination.
You can share your booking link with guests and add telephone or in-person reservations to the same system. Table Harmony provides the booking tools; you remain responsible for promoting your restaurant and helping guests find it.