Step 1: Create Your Profile
After signing up, you'll provide some basic information:
- First and last name — Used across your account and reports
- Company name (optional) — For property management companies
- Your role — Owner, manager, co-host, or other
- Number of properties — Helps us tailor your experience
- Channel manager — Which platform you use (Guesty, Hostaway, Airbnb only, etc.)
This information is saved to your account and synced to our CRM so we can provide relevant support.
Step 2: Choose Your Setup Path
Path A: Analytics Setup (Direct Booking Website)
If you have a direct booking website, this path scans your site and connects Google Analytics.
- Enter your website URL — Hostmatic scans your site automatically
- Review scan results — The scanner checks for:
- Google Analytics (GA4) installation
- Google Tag Manager
- E-commerce event tracking
- Booking system detection (Guesty, Lodgify, Hostaway, etc.)
- Contact and booking forms
- Connect GA4 — If analytics are detected, connect via OAuth to start syncing data
- Configure events — If needed, set up conversion event tracking (see Event Mapper below)
Tip: If the scanner detects your booking system, it will recommend pre-configured events specific to your platform.
Path B: Link Tracking Setup (OTA-Focused)
If you primarily use OTAs (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com), this path sets up booking tracking and marketing links.
Choose your tracking method:
- Calendar Sync — Import iCal feeds from your OTA platforms to track bookings
- Link Shortener — Create tracked marketing links to measure clicks and conversions
For Calendar Sync:
- Export your calendar URL from Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com
- Paste the iCal URL into Hostmatic
- Repeat for each platform you use
For Link Shortener:
- Enter your listing URL (e.g., your Airbnb listing)
- Optionally set a custom alias and campaign name
- Your first tracked link is created with a QR code
Path C: Event Mapper (Advanced)
For hosts with direct booking websites who need custom conversion tracking.
Choose your tracking method:
- URL-based — Track conversions when visitors reach specific pages (e.g., a confirmation page)
- Element-based — Track conversions when visitors interact with specific buttons or forms
Configure events:
- Select your booking platform for recommended event presets
- Enable or disable specific events
- Add custom events with URL patterns or CSS selectors
Generate tracking code:
- Optionally enter your GA4 Measurement ID
- Optionally enter your GTM Container ID
- Copy the generated code and add it to your website
Step 3: Verify Your Email
If you signed up with email and haven't clicked the verification link yet, you'll see a verify-email banner at the top of the app. Onboarding nudges are suppressed while your account is unverified — verifying unlocks the full onboarding flow and any email-driven features. Click Resend in the banner if you can't find the original message.
Step 4: Explore Your Dashboard
Once setup is complete, you'll land on your dashboard with a guided walkthrough highlighting:
- Navigation sidebar — How to move between sections
- Key metric cards — Your top-level performance numbers
- Insights section — Where to find detailed analytics (map)
- Tools — AI-powered tools for content and analysis. Includes the four Airbnb tools (Image Analyzer, Local Rank, Listing Audit, Price Watch), the Social Post Creator, and the WiFi QR Creator with branded WiFi Pages.
- Integrations — Where to connect additional services
The walkthrough runs once for new accounts. You can replay it anytime from Settings.
What Happens After Onboarding
- Your profile data is saved and synced to our systems
- Connected data sources begin syncing immediately
- Your dashboard starts populating with real data (GA4 data may take a few minutes on first sync)
- AI-powered insights begin generating once enough data is available
Need Help?
If you get stuck during onboarding, you can:
- Skip any step and return to it later from the Integrations page
- Contact support through the chat widget on your dashboard