Integrating: How does it all come together?

i-Reserve offers various integration options, ranging from calling up the online reservation system on your own website (via API) to creating an alias. We'll discuss this in more detail in the final blog post of this series. Be sure to check out our references to see how our system has been implemented for some of our clients. Want to learn more about our reservation system after reading this article? Contact us !

We have several integration options:

• i-Reserve.net subdomain (most popular)
• Alias ​​via subdomain of i-Reserve.net
• Integration into your own website via API
• Integration with plugin in your CMS via API
• Mobile app via API

Option 1: i-Reserve.net subdomain (most popular)

The fastest way to use the i-Reserve reservation system is with a subdomain. This option is the default one most of our customers choose. Simply add a "reserve" or "book now" button to your website. This button takes customers to the i-Reserve subdomain specifically configured for your business. So how does this work exactly?

On your own website, you can display all the information and details about the products and/or services that customers can book. These could boats , meeting rooms , courses , or even guided tours . Then, place a "reserve" or "book now" button with a link to the i-reserve : {company name} i-reserve . Here, customers can directly view and book your products and/or services. If you also have the "online payment" module through i-Reserve , they can also pay for their reservation directly there. On the subdomain, you can also place links that take customers back to your own website. From your own website, you can also use deep links that lead directly to the calendar of, for example, a specific room, boat, or course. If you ensure that all links between the two websites work properly, your visitor won't notice that there's a different domain between them.

What's more, this subdomain can be styled to match your website, so customers won't realize they're visiting a different site. You can easily add your logo and custom colors yourself. Want to go a step further than the standard look and feel? Advanced styling is also possible. If you're familiar with CSS and stylesheets, you can handle this yourself. However, most clients leave this request with us. After consulting with you, we'll get started.
You can use this option with any CMS system. So whether you want a reservation system for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or any other CMS system, this option is perfect for you. Curious how this works in practice? Be sure to check out our references . You can see for yourself how our clients have integrated i-Reserve

Option 2: Alias ​​via subdomain of i-Reserve.net

When you use option 1, customers usually won't realize they're being redirected to a different website because the look and feel is identical to your own. Want to take things a step further and hide the i-Reserve name from your URL? You can create an alias URL using your own domain. So how does this work exactly?

Through your own hosting provider, you can create a subdomain on your own URL. For example: reserveren.{yoururl.nl}. This subdomain must then be redirected to the i-Reserve subdomain where your reservation system is located. This can be done via a CNAME. You can then provide us with the subdomain you created, and we will ensure it can be used as an alias. It's important that the subdomain you create has an SSL certificate. This creates a secure layer between the server and the browser, protecting data. If you have a system administrator or some expertise, this option is also very easy to implement.

Option 3: Integration into your own website via API

i i-Reserve includes a widget that you can use on your own website. An example of the widget can be found in the meeting rooms demo . The widget is easy to use by creating it in the i-Reserve environment. Next, you authorize your website in the Content Security Policy and add a rule to the header and another to the body of your website. The widget allows customers to make reservations without leaving your website, which you can then process in the i-Reserve environment.

Option 4: iFrames

i-Reserve customer pages into your own website using iFrames. iFrames can be used to embed one web page within another. This allows you to place the i-Reserve within your own website. More information about iFrames and how they work can be found on this w3schools page .

The use of iFrames is not recommended due to the drawbacks associated with the responsiveness of pages within them and the security implications they introduce. Other integration options are generally preferred.

Option 5: Integration into your own website via API

Would you rather not forward your customers, but rather integrate the i-Reserve reservation system directly on your website? Then you can use an API. This allows you to embed the entire reservation dialog on your own website or extract some data (such as a list of course dates). Or you can create an app.
The API is a well-functioning solution that you can use, but technically it's a bit more complex. If you have technical expertise or employ a developer, you can get started yourself with our available APIs. more information about the available APIs , APIs in general , and webhooks in general . If you have any questions about this option, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Option 6: Integration with plugin in your CMS (such as Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal) via API

Are you using a CMS like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal and want to install the booking system as a plugin? You can also do this via an API. Because our booking system is modular and customized for each client, we don't have a single, standard plugin you can download and install. Just like in option 5, you'll need to retrieve the booking dialog or some data from the booking system via an API.
Like option 5, option 6 also requires technical expertise. Don't have that expertise yourself or a developer, but still want to get started? Then contact us to discuss the possibilities. We also have more information about the available APIs , APIs in general , and webhooks in general

Option 7: Mobile application via API

Do you have a large company and process many reservations daily, perhaps even many repeat bookings? Then you might consider creating a mobile application for your reservation system. This is an expensive option, but it's very user-friendly and will pay for itself in the long run. If you employ an app developer, they can use the API to retrieve data from your reservation system and convert it into an app. If you don't have an app developer but would still like to process your reservations via an app, please contact us to discuss the possibilities.

i-Reserve reservation system as your CMS

Don't have your own website yet but want to accept online reservations? You can also use the i-Reserve reservation system as a CMS to set up your entire website. The i-Reserve system is your website. Besides numerous reservation modules, our reservation system also offers a wealth of content options. With the i-Reserve CMS, you can add as much as you like through content pages, image management, menus, and SEO settings. Curious what this looks like? Take a look at our demo sites for course reservations and room reservations .

Which integration option is right for your business?

As you can see above, we offer several options for using the reservation system. From option 1, which is technically very simple to implement, to the app in option 7. Which integration option is right for your business depends on you. What are your interests and what technical expertise do you have? Would you like to explore the possibilities together? You're always welcome to contact us.

Try i-Reserve now for 30 days

So you've seen what the i-Reserve reservation system can do, and now you're wondering how it could work for your business? Why not try i-Reserve for 30 days? You'll have the chance to explore our system using some sample data and see exactly how well it meets your needs. Try it for yourself .