10 Mistakes Airbnb Hosts Need To Stop Making In 2023
Using Poor Photography
This needs to change in 2023. With competition increasing in the short term rental market, there is no room for error in the visual representations of your listing. Many hosts, in a rush to list their property, take out their iPhone, and post a dozen low quality pictures, seemingly at random. This is not an option for any host that is trying to compete on a visually-driven platform like Airbnb.
There is nothing wrong with taking your own pictures, but ensure that you are approaching it as a professional. Think about lighting, angles, staging, and even which odd items you need to remove entirely. You also should try to get your hands on a high level camera, rather than just your phone.
Here is a blog I found of great cameras for real estate: Click Here
According to Hometrack, an experienced Airbnb photographer can help generate a 40% increase in earnings, a whopping 24% more bookings, and even a 26% increase in your nightly price. This is an investment that can offer a high ROI for your vacation rental.
So either purchase a high-quality camera or find a photographer in your area. There are professionals of all levels and budgets near you that can take your listing to the next level.
Missing Important Amenities
This is a vital component to your vacation rental. Guests should always feel assured that all of the basic things they will need are available within your space. I’m hoping that by now you are ensuring all of the necessities are readily available. This would include toiletries such as toilet paper, soap, and shampoo, as well as household items such as clean towels, bedding, basic kitchen appliances, and cleaning supplies. These are all staples within the hospitality industry and are expected inclusions for Airbnbs.
If you have all of these basics, congratulations!
Here are some suggestions to go above and beyond:
Iron and ironing board
Hair dryer
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Coffee machine and coffee
Tea
Pots and pans
Food storage / Tupperware containers
Smart TV and streaming services
Beach towels and sunscreen
Games, books, and magazines
Thoughtful food and drink (This can really wow your guests)
A booklet of local recommends
These small additions can have a massive effect on the way your guests perceive their experience.
Not Communicating Clearly or Quickly
Effective communication with Airbnb guests is an essential part of hosting. As a host, it is crucial to maintain open communication with your guests before, during, and after their stay.
The first thing strong communication does is build trust. Clear communication is a key factor in building trust with your guests. By communicating regularly, responding promptly to their inquiries and requests, and addressing any issues that may arise during their stay, you are demonstrating that you are a reliable and trustworthy host.
Effective communication also helps manage your guests' expectations, which is crucial for ensuring a positive experience for both parties. By being transparent about your listing's amenities, rules, and any potential issues, you can avoid any misunderstandings and prevent negative reviews.
Communication also can be used to enhance the guest experience. By engaging with your guests and providing helpful information, such as local recommendations or tips on how to use appliances, you can help your guests have an enjoyable and stress-free stay. This clarity can allow guests to relax and enjoy their stay.
Lastly, even with the best preparations, issues may arise during a guest's stay. Effective and quick communication with your guests can help you address and resolve any issues promptly, minimizing any inconvenience to your guests. Guests may have questions or need assistance during their stay, and timely communication from the host can make all the difference. As a host, you should be available to answer any questions guests may have and provide assistance whenever needed.
If you are not putting a significant importance on communication, this can lead to confusion, unhappy guests and inevitably negative reviews. Try to be clear and timely, and you will see the difference in your guests’ experience.
Getting Double Booked!
There is no excuse for this mistake. Getting double booked is a lose-lose situation every time. There are easily available channel managers that will protect you from this, and they are a necessity for any host with listings on multiple platforms. We install a channel manager for every client we work with to sync availabilities, pricing, and to ensure there is never an instance that this kind of grave error can be made.
Not Generating Direct Bookings
Having a direct booking website for your Airbnb listing can avoid commissions, establish your brand identity, give you control over your listing, foster customer loyalty, and diversify your revenue streams. The main reasons that hosts often don’t have a website for their listing are the price of developers (traditional web developers often charge between 4-15k), the learning curve to DIY (Many website builders are complex and time-consuming), and the overwhelming number of options.
If you are interested in creating a website for your listing, we have a full article on the importance of a direct booking website here
Ignoring Design
Not every host needs to invest significant resources into their space’s design, but it isn’t an area that can be ignored. Small intentional actions can make all the difference for your listing. Here are a few simple steps to take that can improve your space’s design immediately:
Consider your location. Guests come to your city with the expectation of experiencing your culture. A few choice pieces of local art, themed design, and amenities that would fit your location are easy changes that can have a magnified effect.
Consider your target demographic. Who is staying at your space? Solo travellers on work trips - create a workspace, families with children - a large kitchen table and well organized outdoor spaces.
Keep it simple. Clean, neutral themes are king at the moment. Allow space for your guests to fill and feel at home,
Small thoughtful touches. Airbnb interior decorators generally recommend your space doesn’t feel too homey, however, small touches can go a long way. A coat and shoe rack by the door, extra sheets, towels, and a nice blanket on the couch can show guests that you are being intentional in your hospitality.
Lack of a Pricing Strategy
This is a common error for many new Airbnb and vacation rental owners make. Dynamic pricing that increases in high demand times and decreases in the low seasons is an important skill to grow.
If you are attempting to begin using a pricing strategy here are a few things to consider:
Special Events:
Does your area have any events that draw in tourism? Concerts, parades, and sporting events can all be cause for a temporary price increase.
Holidays:
Holidays are another time that Airbnb hosts experience higher demand. An increase in price around significant holidays (including winter and spring breaks) will often still be booked up.
Weekends:
Airbnb allows different pricing for different days of the week as well. It is standard to charge more over weekends than weekdays if you are finding you are always booked over the weekends.
Pricelabs
Pricelabs is a smart variable pricing tool for your Airbnb that attempts to price your space in the most efficient way possible. Please use this instead of Airbnb’s smart pricing, which is considered to underprice listings consistently.
Not Setting Clear Rules and Expectations for Guests
Airbnb has become an increasingly popular option for travelers seeking unique and affordable accommodations around the world. As a host, it's important to set clear rules and expectations for your guests to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of setting clear rules and expectations for your Airbnb guests and provide tips on how to effectively communicate them.
Why Set Clear Rules and Expectations?
Avoid Misunderstandings: Clear rules and expectations help avoid misunderstandings between hosts and guests. By setting expectations upfront, guests know what to expect from the host and the accommodation, reducing the likelihood of disputes or conflicts during their stay.
Ensure Guest Comfort: Setting clear rules and expectations can also help ensure guest comfort. For example, outlining rules around quiet hours can help guests get a good night's sleep, while clear instructions on how to use appliances or access amenities can help guests feel at home.
Protect Your Property: Clear rules and expectations can also help protect your property. By setting rules around smoking, pets, or use of common areas, hosts can help ensure that their property is respected and well-maintained.
Tips for Communicating Rules and Expectations
Create a House Manual: A house manual is a document that outlines important information about your Airbnb, such as rules, expectations, and instructions on how to use appliances and access amenities. A house manual should be accessible to guests and easy to understand.
Be Specific: When setting rules and expectations, be specific about what is and isn't allowed. For example, instead of saying "no smoking," say "smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property, including the balcony."
Use Positive Language: When communicating rules and expectations, use positive language that focuses on what guests should do, rather than what they shouldn't do. For example, instead of saying "no parties allowed," say "we ask that you please respect our neighbors and refrain from hosting large gatherings."
Communicate Early and Often: It's important to communicate rules and expectations early and often. Make sure to include them in your listing description, confirmation messages, and house manual. You can also remind guests of important rules during check-in and through signage around the property.
Be Flexible: While it's important to set clear rules and expectations, it's also important to be flexible when necessary. For example, if a guest has a special request, such as a late check-out, consider whether it's possible to accommodate them.
Setting clear rules and expectations for your Airbnb guests is essential for a positive guest experience. By communicating rules and expectations early and often, you can avoid many misunderstandings and poor reviews.
Not Understanding The Importance Of Reviews
High reviews on Airbnb are crucial for attracting more guests, building trust, improving search rankings, increasing booking rates, and attracting repeat guests. Hosts who prioritize delivering an exceptional guest experience are more likely to receive high ratings and positive reviews.
High reviews on Airbnb are important for several reasons:
Attracting more guests: When potential guests search for accommodation on Airbnb, they often filter their search results by ratings and reviews. Listings with high ratings and positive reviews are more likely to attract guests and receive bookings.
Building trust: Positive reviews from previous guests can help build trust with potential guests who may be hesitant to book a stay with a new host. High reviews signal to potential guests that other guests have had positive experiences with the host and the home.
Improving your search rankings: Airbnb's search algorithm takes several factors into account, including ratings and reviews. Listings with high ratings and positive reviews are more likely to appear at the top of search results, increasing visibility and the likelihood of bookings.
Increasing booking rates: High reviews can lead to increased booking rates and a higher occupancy rate. Guests are more likely to book a stay with a host who has high ratings and positive reviews.
Attracting repeat guests: Positive reviews can help build a loyal customer base and attract repeat guests who may book future stays with the host.
There are numerous way to prompt your guest to review. You can review the guest first so that he feels obliged to review you. You can call them after check out to say a final goodbye and request a review. You can even send a printed form of review for a personalized experience. Whatever you need to do, reviews are vital for your listing and you should do whatever is possible to ensure you are acquiring them.
Not Providing Information about Local Area
Providing information about your local area to your guests can be helpful in many ways:
Helping guests explore the area: Guests may not be familiar with the local area, and providing information about popular tourist destinations, cultural events, and local attractions can help them plan their itinerary and make the most of their trip.
Enhancing the guest experience: Sharing your knowledge about the local area can help guests feel more connected to the community and the culture. This can enhance their overall experience and leave a lasting impression.
Building rapport: Providing information about the local area can help you build a good rapport with your guests. This can make them feel more comfortable during their stay and increase the likelihood of positive reviews and repeat visits.
Supporting local businesses: By providing information about local restaurants, shops, and attractions, you can help support the local economy and promote local businesses. You may even want to reach out to some local businesses and set up a coupon for your guests.
If you are already avoiding all of these mistakes, congratulations! Hopefully you can use this to inspire further innovation within your Airbnb. If you are making all of these mistakes, don’t worry. Choose one thing to change this week and transform your vacation rental one step at a time!
