The booking engine widget slows down the loading of the hotel website: is this normal?

Understanding the origin of the slowdown and how to optimize it

Key points:

Yes, a slight slowdown is normal as the engine loads external content.
The widget uses scripts hosted on the provider's servers (D-Edge, Reservit, Amenitiz, etc.).
There are simple solutions to reduce its impact on website speed.
A slow engine can be optimized without compromising direct booking.

Integrating a booking engine adds a layer of scripts and external connections to your hotel website. These calls to third-party servers can slightly increase loading time, especially on the homepage. However, there are several ways to mitigate this effect without affecting the widget's functionality.

1. Why does the widget slow down loading?

When the booking widget is integrated into your site (via a script or an iframe), it must:

Uploading JavaScript and CSS files from the provider's server,
Connect in real time to the engine's database (prices, availability, offers).
Run tracking scripts (analytics, cookies, conversion tracking).

💡 This process adds between 0.5 and 2 seconds to the initial load, depending on the provider and the visitor's connection.

2. Difference between an integrated widget and an external redirect

There are two ways to use the booking engine:

The embedded widget: the engine is displayed directly on the page. → More immersive, but takes longer to load.
External redirection: the “Book” button opens the search engine in a new window. → Faster for the website, as the engine is not loaded beforehand.

💡 If speed is a priority, prioritize external redirection for key pages (Home, Rooms, Offers).

3. Optimize the loading of the integrated widget

a) Load the script asynchronously

Ask your service provider or integrator to add the `async` or `defer` attribute to the engine script. Example:

💡 This allows the rest of the site to load before the engine, improving the perception of speed.

b) Use lazy loading

You can defer engine loading until the user reaches the relevant section (by scrolling). This significantly reduces First Contentful Paint (FCP) and improves mobile performance.

c) Integrate the search engine only on useful pages

Avoid displaying the full search engine on every page of the site. 👉 Limit it to the “Rooms”, “Offers” pages, or a dedicated “Book Now” page. 💡 On other pages, simply use a redirect button (“Book Now”).

4. Check the overall performance of the site

Use Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to measure accurately:

Engine script loading time
The total weight of external resources
The impact of the engine on the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

💡 If the engine significantly slows down (score < 70 on mobile), consider:

To move its loading to the bottom of the page,
Or to load it dynamically only when the visitor clicks on “Check availability”.

5. Contact your engine provider

Each engine offers optimized charging options:

D-Edge: asynchronous version of the widget + GTM integration.
Reservit: “Fast embed” mode available in the integration settings.
Amenitiz: Deferred loading can be activated on request.

💡 Contact their technical support and specify that you want to improve loading time without removing the engine. They can provide you with a suitable script.

6. Maintain a good balance between UX and performance

The goal isn't just speed, but also conversion. 💡 A search engine that loads one second longer but encourages direct booking is better than an ultra-fast site without immediate access to booking.

Ensure that the search engine remains visible and functional as soon as the visitor expresses an intention to book.

Conclusion

Yes, it's normal for the booking engine widget to slightly slow down your hotel website's loading time, as it loads external scripts. However, this slowdown can be greatly reduced through asynchronous loading, lazy loading, or selective integration. By adjusting these settings with your provider, you'll maintain both excellent performance and a smooth user experience.