Getting started

Click 'Create Hosting Service' from your dashboard. Choose your service type: Property (short-term rental, hotel, B&B), Group (group travel, residential), or Event (single occasion). Add a name and your first knowledge items. Your Hosting Assistant is ready to test in minutes. If this is your first property or group service, you'll automatically start a 3-day free trial, guests can chat immediately. Events go straight to free tier where you'll need a paid plan to share with guests.

Start with the essentials: WiFi password, check-in/check-out times, house rules, parking instructions, and emergency contacts. Then add local recommendations (restaurants, attractions, transport), appliance instructions, and frequently asked questions. Free accounts can add up to 10 knowledge items. Paid plans increase this significantly, Starter (100), Standard (500), and Premium (999).

Guest links and QR codes require an active subscription (your trial counts as active). Once subscribed or in trial, go to your hosting service page and click 'Create Guest Link'. Set the check-in and check-out dates, optionally add the guest's name and email, then share the generated link via WhatsApp, email, or print the QR code to place in your property. You can also set up a WhatsApp access code so guests can text it to +1 (612) 400-7319 on WhatsApp as an alternative channel.

Yes! Hostigram responds based on your knowledge base entries. Write answers in your preferred tone and style. You can also add additional notes to guide Hostigram's personality, set up Action Links for contextual URL sharing, and apply a custom theme to your hosting service's chat interface.

Free accounts can create up to 2 services and build their full knowledge base. Your first property or group service starts with a 3-day free trial that includes full guest access. After the trial, and for any additional service or event, your service stays in free mode: you keep your knowledge base, settings, and analytics, but guests can't chat until you purchase a plan. The 'Test Assistant' feature works in any state.

When you create a new hosting service, a Setup Checklist appears at the top of your Host Dashboard. It guides you through 4 steps: (1) Create a Hosting Service, (2) Add at least 3 knowledge base items, (3) Test your assistant, and (4) Share your guest link. A progress bar tracks your completion. Once all steps are done, you'll see a congratulations message, you can dismiss it permanently. The checklist only appears for hosting services that haven't completed all steps.

From your Host Dashboard, click 'Activate Plan' on the service you want to take live. You'll land on a focused activation page that walks you through three steps: (1) confirm or pick your event date (if not already set), (2) choose a plan, only plans matching your service type are shown, (3) complete checkout securely via Stripe. Once payment succeeds, your service schedule is set automatically and your Hosting Assistant goes live at the right time. You can cancel at any step and come back later, no data is lost.