9 Things Every Airbnb Listing Needs To Get Noticed
Creating a successful Airbnb listing involves paying attention to several critical elements that can significantly impact your bookings and fill up your calendar.
An effective Airbnb listing is a combination of accurate information, appealing visuals, and a welcoming tone.
Investing time and effort into creating a comprehensive and attractive listing increases your chances of attracting more guests and providing them with a delightful and memorable experience.
For the last three years, I have been working with clients to create exceptional Airbnb listings, and today, I am going to share with you what I think every listing needs to get noticed.
So, no matter if you have a new property or an existing home, here are nine things to add or edit to keep your listing up to date.
1. High-Quality Photos
High-resolution, well-lit photos are essential to showcase your space's best features. This is the first thing your potential guests will look for, and the images will help keep them on the listing page.
Include images of all the rooms, amenities, and unique selling points to entice potential guests and help them visualize their stay. Use a mix of photos showing the property staged/empty and with guests in the space, such as swimming in the pool or making a coffee in the kitchen.
Take photos at different times to highlight where the sun rises and falls. The more ambience you can create, the better.
Ensuring images are regularly updated to reflect the listing honestly is essential. Nothing is worse for a guest than booking a property based on the listing photos only to be disappointed on arrival. This will only lead to negative reviews and a poor reputation.
If you are a small start-up struggling to pay for professional photos, consider offering content creators a night or two of accommodation in exchange for photos and content you can repurpose on your social media.
Oh, and don’t forget the photo captions!
2. The Right Listing Title
What sets your property apart from the rest?
In 2022, Airbnb changed how listing titles work, so getting this often-overlooked section of your listing right is essential. So, what do you need to know?
Short, easy-to-read titles are more likely to rank higher in the search list.
Avoid using all CAPS for words like NEW or VILLA; write New or Villa instead.
Don’t use emojis or add too many characters, such as !!! / *** in the title.
Mobile viewers only see the first 32 characters of the listing title, so make them count.
The listing title has a maximum of 50 characters, so add the keywords at the start for mobile viewers.
Add the key selling points of your property, such as ‘ocean views’ or ‘rainforest retreat’.
Overall, your listing's title and description should be clear, engaging, and highlight the unique aspects of your property and its location. Consider your brand message, so incorporate this where possible if you are a beach getaway or a secluded cabin in the woods.
It is also worth checking out the properties in your local area to see which listings are popular.
3. Accurate Property Details
Provide accurate and comprehensive information about your space. Why? Being transparent helps manage guest expectations and reduces the chances of misunderstandings.
The description of your property will show potential guests what the listing has to offer and what services or amenities are included in their stay.
If the property is aimed at a specific target market, this is the place to get creative and describe the ideal guest, such as ‘the perfect romantic getaway’, a family retreat for large groups or a digital nomad’s dream remote office’.
The listing should aim to include details such as:
Number of guests & bedding configuration per room.
House facilities: kitchens, bathrooms, living, games room, backyard.
Details of the outdoor area: BBQ, pool, hot tub, gardens.
Accessing the home: path, stairs, lift, outdoor lighting.
Parking options, airport transfers or public transport.
Safety concerns: wildlife, slippery surfaces, and the location of emergency equipment.
Kitchen: stove, oven, microwave, utensils, pantry staples.
Bathroom: towels, soap, type of shower, hot/cold water.
Additional amenities in the home for guests: laundry, games room, and storage areas.
Staff: housekeeping, private chef, on-site property manager.
Add if the space is available to hire for events such as weddings or photoshoots.
Include the best tourist attractions in your local area.
4. Clear Fees & Charges
Something that is easily looked over when starting on Airbnb is the importance of a clear pricing strategy. It is better to inform your guests of any additional fees to avoid misunderstandings during the booking process.
Here are a few tips to get started:
Set competitive and reasonable prices for your listing.
Be transparent about additional charges, such as cleaning fees or security deposits.
Keep your calendar up-to-date to reflect accurate availability.
Clearly outline your house rules and additional fees, e.g., late checkout fees.
Outline any weekly or monthly stay discounts.
5. Emergency Info
Certain emergency features, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, can be listed under your property’s amenities. The rest of the details will likely go in your house manual or your welcome email once guests have already confirmed a booking.
However, you might also include the following suggestions in your listing description:
The closest medical clinic or hospital (especially if you are in a remote location).
On-site security staff or the installation of CCTV.
6. Guest Reviews & Ratings
Positive reviews and 5-star ratings help to build trust and credibility. Reviews are a chance for guests to show appreciation for their stay and share everything they loved about the property. This is why an accurate description and photos are important to set the guest's expectations and avoid disappointing reviews.
Encourage guests to leave a public review after their stay and respond graciously to feedback, promptly addressing concerns or issues. If a guest leaves you a personal note with feedback on what they didn’t like, be sure to respond and thank the guest either way.
Positive interactions with your guests are a great way to ensure you build a good reputation and hopefully lead to repeat bookings.
7. Welcoming Host Profile
Complete your host profile with a photo showing your face and a brief introduction. Guests often feel more comfortable booking with hosts who seem approachable and reliable. Make mention of your experience as a host and your reason for starting an Airbnb.
You should also note if you live on or off the property and if you will be available for communication during the booking process. If not, make mention of your property co-host or who the guest can contact throughout their stay.
Finally, complete the ID verification to show you are a real person and that your listing is not a scam.
8. Location Guide
Highlight the benefits of your location and provide information about nearby attractions. Guests often choose accommodation based on the surrounding neighbourhood. Including a few points of interest in your listing is a great way to encourage guests to book your place.
Here are some suggestions:
Restaurants, bars and cafes.
Tourist attractions.
Day spas.
Shopping malls.
Distance to the airport.
Heritage sites.
Popular annual events.
Viewpoints.
9. A Dedicated Co-Host
A co-host is an excellent option if you, as the property owner, want to outsource additional support for your business. Because Airbnb requires someone to communicate with guests and respond in a timely manner, many property owners will enlist the help of a co-host or personal assistant to help with the day-to-day running of the business.
Co-hosts can take the pressure off the owner and are especially beneficial if you own or manage multiple listings or live in a different time zone than the location of your listing. Co-hosts are different to personal/virtual assistants because they are typically paid a percentage of the rental property revenue instead of an hourly rate.
If you add a co-host, look for someone who excels in customer service and communication, as this will be their number one responsibility. It is vital that the co-host understands your brand and tone of voice and has excellent problem-solving skills should guests have any issues with their booking.
