Mailchimp Integration
The Mailchimp Integration allows ReservationKey to automatically send your guest contact information directly to your Mailchimp account. This feature helps you maintain an up-to-date mailing list for marketing campaigns and guest communication.
Connecting ReservationKey to Mailchimp
To link your ReservationKey account with Mailchimp:
- Go to the Settings tab.
- Click External Connections.
- Click Add Connection.
- Under Type of Connection, select Mailchimp and click Continue.
- Click the authorization link to allow ReservationKey to access your Mailchimp account.
- Log in to Mailchimp (for example, with your Google account) and click Allow to complete the authorization.
Once authorization is complete, the two systems are connected and ready to exchange data.
Setting Up Mailing List Consent
Next, you’ll configure how ReservationKey collects guest consent for joining your mailing list.
- In the connection settings, locate the Custom Field dropdown to select which field controls mailing list consent.
- If no field exists yet, select None (this will send all contacts to Mailchimp regardless of consent). However, it’s recommended to set up a consent checkbox field for compliance and guest preference tracking.
Creating a Custom Consent Field
- Go to the Custom Fields section in your account.
- Click Add Custom Field.
- Choose the Checkbox field type and click Continue.
- Enter a descriptive question, such as “Mailing List Consent”, and a single checkbox value such as “Yes, add me to your mailing list.”
- Set both Show on Booking Page and Show Internally to Yes.
- Select the reservation pages where this checkbox should appear and click Save.
This adds a new consent checkbox to your booking page and internal reservation forms.
Linking the Consent Field to Mailchimp
Now that the custom field exists:
- Return to External Connections.
- Click Edit Settings on your Mailchimp connection.
- Select the new Mailing List Consent field from the dropdown.
- Click Save.
Whenever this checkbox is checked, ReservationKey will automatically send the contact’s details to Mailchimp. If left unchecked, no data is sent for that guest.
Configuring Mailchimp Audiences
Mailchimp uses “Audiences” (formerly called “Mailing Lists”) to store contacts. To choose which audience new contacts are added to:
- In External Connections, locate your Mailchimp connection settings.
- Select the Audience you wish to use for:
- Online reservations (contacts created through your booking pages)
- Manually added reservations (contacts created internally)
- Click Save to confirm your selections.
If you manage multiple properties or reservation pages, you can assign each one to a different Mailchimp audience.
Testing the Integration
Once your connection and consent field are configured, test the setup:
- From your Availability Calendar, click Add Reservation.
- Fill in guest information, including name and email address.
- Check the Mailing List Consent box.
- Click Save.
Then, check your Mailchimp account’s Audience list. You should see the new contact appear immediately. Updating a guest’s email address in ReservationKey will automatically update it in Mailchimp as well.
Testing from the Online Booking Page
To verify the consent option works on your public booking form:
- Open your Reservation Page in either Availability Search or Calendar view.
- Enter test guest details and check the mailing list consent box.
- Complete the reservation process.
- Return to your Mailchimp account and refresh your Audience list — the new contact should appear.
Recommended Setup
For best results:
- Use a single checkbox field to capture consent, labeled clearly for guests.
- Display the consent option on both your booking page and internal forms.
- Link the field in your Mailchimp connection settings.
If you prefer not to use a consent checkbox (not recommended), you may select None in the settings, and ReservationKey will send all contacts automatically to Mailchimp.
Summary
Once connected, ReservationKey automatically syncs guest contact data with Mailchimp whenever the consent checkbox is checked. This ensures your marketing lists stay current and accurate, allowing you to send newsletters, promotions, or other communications directly from Mailchimp.