How to apply a template to the app home page

Overview

Applying a home page template assigns a standardized corporate design and structure to a property's guest app. This process is necessary after creating a template in the Brand control section. Templates can be applied individually, which allows for reviewing a draft, or in bulk, which applies the changes immediately.

Before getting started

Before applying a template, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• You must have a corporate user to perform this action.
• Have access to My app > Edit app
• Have access to Settings > Corporate > Brand control

Take into account that you can only select templates from the same brand or the same chain level as the target property.

Step-by-step guide

There are two processes for applying a home page template to one or more properties:

Option 1: Apply a template hotel by hotel (Recommended)

This process allows corporate users to review a draft version and make local edits before publishing.

1. Access the hotel's editing screen: Go to My app, select the desired app, and click Edit app.
2. Inside the editing screen, click the button labeled Use template layout (visible only to corporate users).
3. A pop-up window will appear with a Select template dropdown menu.
4. Choose the template you wish to apply.
5. Define the how to use the template. You have two options:

A. Link to corporate template

Your home page will follow corporate brand guidelines and automatically update with any future changes made to the original template. You will only be able to edit specific fields (those marked with editing permissions in the template). If you choose Link to corporate template:

• A banner indicating that a template is being used will appear at the top of the editing screen.
• Only the elements with editing permissions enabled in the corporate template can be modified in the home page of the hotel (My app > Edit app).
• Any sections in General settings and Widgets that have no editing permissions will display a lock icon.
• If a widget in the template directs to a feature the hotel has not configured (For example, Bali beds), the system will automatically hide that section from the home page.
• When configuring a Custom widget, only the widget types defined in the corporate template will appear as options, but all fields within that chosen widget type will be available for editing.

To save the changes and make them visible to guests, you must click Publish Changes.

B. Create an editable copy

Creates a editable copy of the corporate template for the hotel. Your home page will not receive future updates from the original template, but you can edit all widgets and layouts locally without restrictions.

Option 2: Apply a template in bulk

This process is used to quickly apply a template to multiple properties simultaneously.

1. Go to Brand control > Home pages.
2. Use the checkboxes to select all properties that should use the template.
3. Click the Link homepage to template button.
4. Select the template from the dropdown menu.
5. A message will appear confirming that this action will link and publish the template immediately.
6. The template will be published immediately, and guests will be able to see the changes right away.

Next steps

Once your templates are applied, the next step is to ensure proper usage and control. (Check out this article on How to unlink a template if needed.)

• Audit property edits: Periodically check individual hotel home pages (via the Home pages list in Brand control) to ensure properties are using their allowed editing permissions correctly and staying within brand standards.
• Track performance: Use Insights to monitor key metrics of the guest apps, reviewing usage, engagement, and conversions.
• Communicate changes: If you publish updates to the linked corporate template, notify the properties about the automatic changes to their home pages.

Need further assistance?

If you have additional questions or require further assistance:

• Contact us via live chat
• Send a ticket to our Support team
• Visit STAY Academy, our training platform.