Are you hoping to make some extra money by renting out a spare home, apartment, or even room on Airbnb? This popular platform offers hosts a great way to make easy money, but only when done properly.
To set yourself up for success as an Airbnb host, keep reading. In this guide we will go over 4 key steps you will want to take to make sure your property shines and brings in eager visitors.
1. Make an Impressive First Impression
Airbnb is now a crowded market. With tons of listings available in different locations, you need to make sure your listing stands out over competitors. You can do this by making sure your listing is optimized to draw customers in.
Firstly, you want to make sure you have some high-quality images showcased on your listing. Make sure you also have a good amount of pictures showcasing all areas of the property to give potential customers a full view of what they can expect.
Consider hiring a professional photographer, as this can be a great return on investment. High-quality, impressive photos of your property will help you stand out from others on the platform.
Whether you chose to hire a photographer or take the photos yourself, you will want to capture the character of the property, as well as any amenities and key features. Taking pictures of the surrounding areas of the property can also help to give your listing's visitors a better idea of your Airbnb.
2. Offer Great Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is a key aspect that Airbnb hosts should work towards. For this reason, to be a successful Airbnb host, you should make sure that you set aside a significant amount of time every day to devote to managing your Airbnb. You want to make sure you are available to answer the questions of your guests and have positive interactions with them.
Being a friendly host will help to improve the experience of your guests. You should think of your Airbnb as a hotel, meaning you need to provide comfort and support for your guests. Work to reply quickly and kindly to each request, question, or concern a current or future guest is having in regards to your property.
Responding quickly to potential guest questions regarding your property can help you secure them as guests rather than sending them looking for another option. Consider creating prepared responses in your notes app to cut down on response time. Being a helpful host will allow you to generate great ratings, which is incredibly important on this platform, as social proof is vital.
If you don't have the time to devote to handling your Airbnb, you may consider using an Airbnb management service to help.
3. Pay Attention To The Details
Something that users love about Airbnb is that often, properties offer a much more unique experience than a generic hotel. Make sure that décor details create a welcoming environment for guests. You should also stock up on items that can help to improve your guest's experience.
Leave guests plenty of tea, coffee, and condiments, similar to how a hotel would. You may even consider leaving some entertainment options available for guests by supplying them with board games, cards, magazines, books, or movies. You may consider installing a smart TV so that guests can log in and watch shows from their favorite streaming service.
To go the extra mile, you may offer guests a welcome gift, such as a bottle of wine or a local treat. Provide helpful information for your guests by leaving them maps of the area or brochures on any tourist attractions in the area. You may even consider making a guest guide book with information on the location, the property, and the surrounding area.
In the guest book, provide recommendations to some of your favorite dining spots in your area. This helps to make the trip less stressful and more enjoyable in general, leaving your visitors with a positive experience.
Additionally, make sure your property is as clean and secure as possible for your visitors. You may consider hiring a professional cleaning service to make your place sparkle.
4. Optimize Your Property Listing
While we have discussed the importance of making sure the images on your listing are impressive, there are other areas of your listing that you will want to perfect. In the text description of your listing, make sure you include all the necessary details regarding your listing while also painting a picture of what staying at your Airbnb will be like for guests. Depicting the unique experience your property offers will help you stand out from others on the platform.
You should describe the best features of the property and the location, while also helping visitors imagine what they would experience on their stay there. Think of some activities that guests could partake in, such as sitting and having coffee by the fire pit, or taking a walk around a nearby lake. This will provide for a more individualized message and will stand out from listings that merely list their property description.
Tips For Being A Successful Airbnb Host
Whether you are hoping to become an Airbnb host, or to improve your practices as a host this year, keep these tips in mind to make the most of your rental property.
Are you looking for more advice when it comes to managing your rental property or Airbnb home listing? Head to the Real Estate section of the site to learn more about renting properties.
