While BrightSide can send emails “to” your guests, it cannot receive emails “from” them. BrightSide is not a full-fledged email client like Outlook or Gmail. When a guest replies to an email sent from your account, it is routed to the external email address you provide to us. This can be a Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or some other email account you monitor on a regular basis.

Yes, BrightSide has a texting feature allowing you to send text messages to guests, owners, housekeepers, and others. Texting is a feature that must be requested, it is not active right out of the box.

Once requested, our team will acquire a new phone number specific to your company (required by the FCC) and activate text messaging in your account. See the Knowledge Base article, Add Text Messaging to Account for more information.

NOTE: At the moment, BrightSide does not charge for text messaging. We do reserve the right to change this policy and charge a fee if and when we deem it necessary.

Yes, you can set up text messages to be sent automatically to guests at scheduled events or times. For example, if you want to send guests a text message with the key code after check-in, you can do that. You could schedule a text to send on check-out day reminding them of the check-out time.

You may also use the texting system to let housekeeping know when the guest has checked out and it is available for cleaning.

These are just a few examples, the options are numerous.

Yes, if your account is set up for texting, you may send text alerts to all in-house guests, arriving guests, or departing guests. Text alerts are helpful when you need to contact all of your guests with a common announcement, i.e.: road closures or weather alerts. Of course, you may utilize it however you need.

Yes, you can create email templates to send predetermined emails to guests on a timed basis or when an event takes place. For example, write an email that goes out every time a reservation is taken. The email can contain a personal message, using the guest’s name, reservation number, instructions for checking-in, or a number of other things. Dynamic text allows you to insert the access code, Wi-Fi password, fees, arrival and departure dates, and so much more.

Many BrightSide users send emails to guests on a schedule to communicate a variety of things. If you need advice on how best to use the automated email system, let us know. We are happy to help.