Introducing the Redesigned Guidebook Experience
Less clutter, faster access to essentials, and mobile-first navigation. We consolidated 18 sections down to 5 clear categories so your guests can find what they need instantly.
Try it yourself: See all these changes live on our demo guidebook. Your existing guidebook content carries over automatically—no action needed.
The Problem: Information Overload
Our original guidebook design had 18 separate sections. WiFi lived in one place, door codes in another, checkout time somewhere else. Guests had to scroll through a wall of options just to find the basics.
We heard from hosts that guests were messaging them for information that was already in the guidebook—they just couldn't find it fast enough.
The old experience:
- • 18 sections to navigate through
- • Essential info buried across multiple sections
- • Horizontal scrolling tabs on mobile
- • Guests gave up and messaged hosts instead
What's New: 5 Clear Categories
We consolidated 18 sections down to 5 clear categories: Welcome, Stay Info, House Rules, Explore, and Emergency. This approach follows established cognitive load principles—your guests can now find what they need without scrolling through a wall of options.
Welcome
First impressions & property intro
Stay Info
Amenities, check-in/out, how-to guides
House Rules
Guidelines & expectations
Explore
Dining, activities, local spots
Emergency
Contacts & safety info
Quick Essentials: The Information Guests Need Most
WiFi network, password, door code, and checkout time are now pinned at the top of every guidebook. Guests can copy credentials with one tap—no more hunting through sections.
⚡ Quick Essentials Strip
WiFi Network
One-tap copy
WiFi Password
One-tap copy
Door Code
One-tap copy
Checkout
Always visible
No more "What's the WiFi password?" messages. Guests see it instantly, tap to copy, and they're connected in seconds.
Cover Image Hero: First Impressions Matter
Your guidebook now opens with a stunning full-width hero image of your property. Upload a property photo that showcases your space—it's the first thing guests see when they open your guidebook.
💡 Pro Tip
Don't have a cover image handy? Download a free one from Unsplash or similar platforms. Search for images that match your property's vibe—mountain cabin, beach house, city apartment.
Mobile-First Navigation
With over 60% of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, the majority of your guests will view your guidebook on their phones. We've rebuilt the entire navigation experience for mobile:
📱 Bottom Tab Bar
Like the apps your guests already use. Research from Nielsen Norman Group shows visible tab bars outperform hidden menus. Thumb-friendly navigation that stays visible as they scroll.
👆 Swipe Navigation
Swipe left or right to move between sections. Each section scrolls independently, so guests stay oriented and can switch categories instantly.
Consolidated "Explore" Section
Previously, recommendations were scattered across separate sections: Dining, Activities, Shopping, Places, Services. Now they're unified under one Explore tab with category filters.
What's included in Explore:
Guests can filter by category or scroll through all recommendations. Less repetition, easier browsing.
Bonus: TV Welcome Screen (Beta)
We've also launched a TV-optimized view of your guidebook. Display a beautiful welcome screen with Quick Essentials on any smart TV.
Sneak peek: Check out the TV view at hostguide.xyz/tv/demo-wanaka-retreat. More details on this feature coming soon!
Your Content Carries Over Automatically
You don't need to do anything. All your existing guidebook content has been automatically reorganized into the new structure. Your guests will see the new design the next time they open your guidebook link.
✅ What happens automatically:
- • Your sections are reorganized into 5 categories
- • WiFi, door code, and checkout time appear in Quick Essentials
- • All recommendations move to the unified Explore tab
- • Cover image uploads are ready in your editor
- • Mobile navigation just works
See the New Design in Action
Check out our demo guidebook to experience all the new features yourself.