Skip to content
English
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How to use the Promote app section

Overview

The Promote app section is where you generate links and QR codes that direct guests to specific content within the guest app. This tool is key for promotional efforts as it helps make accessing the guest app as easy as possible. Links allow you to generate specific access points for different areas of the hotel.

For example, you can create a link to display a QR code in the room that takes the guest directly to room service to place an order, or a QR code to put in restaurants to make a reservation, or a QR code to the activities calendar so they can book an activity.

If your hotel has a native app, you can also use Smart Links to decide what happens when a guest who doesn’t have the native app installed opens the link: they are redirected either to the web version of the guest app or to the app store to download the native app. This article explains how to create, use, and manage links in the Promote app section.

Before getting started

Before creating links, make sure you have the following:

  • Access to My App > Promote app in the CMS.
  • The specific page or service in the guest app you want the link to open (destination content).
  • A defined Channel and Location for each link, to ensure accurate data tracking.
  • A native app, managed by STAY or by a third party, if you want to create links that open a native app.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Access the Promote app section

  1. Log in to the CMS.
  2. Click My App in the top menu.
  3. Click Promote app. The Links list opens with all the links created for your hotel.

Step 2: Create a link

  1. Click the Create link button. A pop-up configuration window will appear.
  2. Enter an Internal name for the link. Guests don’t see this name; it helps you identify the link in the list.
  3. Under Product, choose where the link opens:
    • Web App: Opens in the web browser.
    • Native App: Opens in the native application.
  4. If you selected Native App:
    • Choose the app from the Native app dropdown menu.
    • Turn the Smart Links toggle on or off to define what happens when the native app is not installed on the guest’s device (see “How Smart Links work” below).
  5. Choose the Destination content, which is the specific screen within the guest app the link will redirect to. Options include:
    • A specific feature, category, or service (e.g., AI Concierge, Activities, Amenities).
    • Open property: Redirects users to the home page of the guest app.
    • Surveys: Directs users to surveys configured in Instant Feedback.
  6. Choose the Channel from the dropdown menu (e.g., Email, Link, NFC, QR code, SMS, Web, WhatsApp, WiFi).
  7. Choose the Location, which refers to the physical place in the hotel where the link will be situated (e.g., Lobby, Bar, Gym, Elevator).
  8. Check the Link behavior panel on the right to confirm how the link will work for guests.
  9. Click Create.

Note: You can’t change the Internal name and the Product after creating the link. Make sure they are correct before clicking Create.

How Smart Links work

Important: Smart Links requires additional setup before you can use it:

  • Native apps managed by STAY: STAY needs to activate Smart Links for your hotel. If it isn't active, a message in the CMS asks you to contact the Customer Success team. Until it is activated, you can still create Web App and Native App links, but you can't use Smart Links to redirect guests who don't have the native app installed.
  • Third-party native apps: Your app needs a small development to support Smart Links. A banner in the CMS lets you request information, and the Customer Success team will share the technical documentation with you.

When a guest opens a Native App link or scans its QR code, the system checks whether the native app is installed on their device:

  • Native app installed: The native app opens and shows the destination content.
  • Native app not installed, Smart Links on: The guest is redirected to the web version of the guest app in the device’s browser.
  • Native app not installed, Smart Links off: The guest is redirected to the app store (App Store or Google Play) to download the native app.

Tip: Turn on Smart Links when you want guests to access content immediately (for example, in city hotels with short stays). Turn it off when your priority is to increase native app downloads (for example, in resorts with longer stays).

Important: When Smart Links is off and a guest installs the native app for the first time, the app opens on its home screen. To view the destination content, the guest must open the link or scan the QR code again.

Note: Selecting the correct channel is important for Insights tracking. You can consult the guest app access source data in Insights > Users > Acquisition. For a user to be recorded in Acquisition, they must be accessing the guest app for the first time through the specific link.

Step 3: Use the link or QR code

Once the link is created, it appears in the Links list. A URL link and a QR code are generated for every link, whatever channel you selected.

  • To copy the URL link, click the Copy link icon in the Actions column. This is the link you will use for promotion.
  • To get the QR code, click the Edit link icon. In the right panel, you can:
    • Click Click to copy to copy the link.
    • Click Download PNG or Download SVG to download the QR code to your computer.

Note: You can download the generated QR code in two formats: PNG and SVG. Check with your Design or responsible team to see which format is most useful.

Test the link or QR code before producing your final materials. Open the link or scan the QR code from a digital proof or a prototype of the material (for example, a printed sample of a table card or room sign) and check that it opens the correct destination content. If Smart Links is active, also test it on a device with the native app installed and on a device without it

Step 4: Manage your links

The Links list provides data and actions for managing your links:

  • Name and link: The internal name and the shareable URL link.
  • Product: Web App or Native App, and the native app selected.
  • Redirect: Where guests without the native app are sent (Web App or App Store).
  • Content, Channel, Location: The link configuration.
  • Updated: The date and time of the last edit.
  • Actions: You can Copy link, Edit link, or Archive link.

To find a link:

  1. Use the Search field (by name or link) or filter by Product, Redirect, Channel, or Location. Click Clear filters to reset them, or Reload to refresh the list.
  2. To see links you have archived, click View archived links below the page title.

Note: Archiving a link doesn't delete it; the link stops working temporarily. If guests open the link or scan its QR code, the guest app shows a screen explaining that the content is temporarily out of service. Once you restore the link, it works again.

To edit a link:

  1. Click the Edit link icon.
  2. Change any of the following settings: Smart Links, Destination content, Channel, or Location.
  3. Click Save.

Note: If you change the Destination content or the Smart Links setting, any previously printed QR codes and shared links will automatically apply the new configuration. You don't need to reprint them. Keep in mind that any change to a link can affect its tracking data in Insights. A banner in the edit window reminds you of this.

Next steps

Now that you have created and shared your links, the next step is to understand how they are performing. To obtain data to see which links work best and which ones guests use the most, go to Insights > Users > Acquisition. For more information check out this step by step guide on the Insights feature.

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.