Tips to Boost Your Airbnb Listing to Get More Bookings

Lending out your own home to travelers is something that was unheard of before, but now it’s such a great way to introduce someone to life in a foreign country. A great way for travelers to delve into the actual culture of local living, rather than staying in a hotel. 

Airbnb has developed a platform for hosts and guests to link together for such service and is now an actual business people partake in. Like a legitimately enormous business one wouldn’t have imagined. 

Now how do you reap as much benefits as you can if you’re listing one or two of your properties, when there’s so many others alike? We’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to put your home at the top of the list:

1. Invest in your photos

What’s the first thing you look for when shopping online or even looking at a menu? Photos. And this goes for everything and everyone. So make sure you take great photos of your place. Airbnb offers free professional photography sessions in certain cities and if your property matches a criteria of theirs. Take advantage of this and the fact that they’ll place an Airbnb watermark will shoot up your optimization.

2. Constantly update your calendar

An updated calendar is not only a way to inform potential bookers that your listing is available, but this is one of the fastest and easiest ways to increase your Airbnb SEO ranking. Airbnb likes it when listers are active and responsive, so they rather put you first compared to someone who doesn’t update your listing or respond to renters. According to Airbnb, hosts who don’t let their calendar get a month or more out of date are 70% more likely to get booked. So imagine what more if you constantly update it every day or every week!

3. Add an option for self check-in

A good amount of guests would look for this option, as they just want to get on with their itinerary. Sometimes due to their arrival or departure times, it could be a little of a hassle if you both have to meet at 4am to let someone into your property.

4. Be detailed and be organized 

Make sure you list out all the details of your listing (the important ones of course). The more details, the easier it is for a guest to decide on going with your listing instead. Consider the right keywords you use in describing your place, amenities, transportation options, landmarks, and restaurants for example.

5. Reduce the minimum stay

If you place a minimum limit of days, it reduces your chances of getting booked, especially for those who only want a short term stay. Some guests hop in and out of cities, so they like to have the option to stay somewhere for only a few days instead of being constrained.

6. Get multi-lingual

Not everyone is going to speak the same language as you, so if you can, try to incorporate languages from people who mostly book your listing. English is definitely a must!

7. Allow instant booking

As much as possible you want to be flexible for your guests. This isn’t an option most hosts are into, but it could allow those travellers who are on a tight time frame for their itinerary. You’ll open your listing to a whole new market of guests looking to book a place with that one option.

8. Remember to send a welcome and check out message

Guests really appreciate it when you’re on top of things, as being a host. Let them know you’re reachable for any concerns and remember to thank them for their stay. The more hospitable you are, the more likely you are to get better reviews and ratings, which equals more bookings!

9. Note the negatives

It might sound counteractive, but it just shows the guest that you’re being honest and upfront. It’s better to give them a heads up, rather than receiving a bad review afterwards.