9 Ways to Improve Your Listing and Get More Bookings

9 Ways to Improve your Listing and Get More Bookings

In the ever-expanding world of vacation rentals and online bookings, standing out from the crowd is essential to attract potential guests and maximize your booking potential. Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, there are always ways to enhance your listing and increase its appeal to potential visitors. By strategically optimizing your property description, highlighting unique features, and implementing practical marketing techniques, you can significantly boost your bookings. In this article, we will explore nine effective strategies that will help you improve your listing and attract more bookings for your vacation rental. From stunning visuals to personalized touches, these methods are designed to make your property shine and leave a lasting impression on potential guests. Let’s dive in and discover how you can take your vacation rental to the next level!

1. Professional Photos

Find the right type of photographer

Photographers shoot a wide array of scenes and subjects that all require different skills. Real estate photographers are specialized and will be better equipped to shoot your listing. Utilize Thumbtack or local Real Estate FB groups to find real estate photographers in your area. 

Pros have high-quality cameras and lighting equipment

Professional photographers have high-quality equipment that captures your space’s beauty. Quality images stand out when guests are searching for listings. Images captured with a phone tend to be grainy and blurry.

Pros know how to capture your listing’s best assets and views

Professional photographers have a keen eye for details and nuances that will make your property stand out. Pros know the best angles for specific areas and can tailor lighting to make your listing shine. 

Drone shots highlight the surrounding area

When applicable, drone shots provide guests with a snapshot of the surrounding area and proximity to attractions. Drone shots are also great for highlighting exterior features like pools, lakes, and mountain views.

2. Create an Engaging Title (A+ title)

Include key amenities & features that appeal to your audience.

What are the features and amenities that attract guests to your listing the most? Prioritizing those items and including them in your title boosts the visibility of your listing when guests are searching for those amenities.  If you need some help setting up or listing out all of your amenities, check out our Short-term Rental Amenity Checklist.

Use elevated descriptors.

Eliminate generic descriptors – ‘nice, good, clean, etc’ from your title. Instead, focus on describing the key amenities in an attractive way: Example: ‘Nice beachfront condo in clean building with pool’ becomes ‘Immaculate Oceanfront Condo w/ pool & amazing view’

Abbreviate & use symbols when possible.

Airbnb titles can only be 50 characters so choose your words carefully! Utilize symbols and abbreviations when possible. Instead of typing ‘and’ use the ‘&’ symbol. Make sure the abbreviation you’re using is widely known to prevent any confusion. Get creative and try different wordings to fit the most

3. Write Keyword-heavy description and space information – Write an attractive description

Understand your audience & tailor verbiage toward them

Is your listing family-friendly or geared more toward couples retreats? Are your primary guests business or leisure travelers? Learn the main reasons guests choose your listing and promote the amenities and features that matter most to them.

Creatively describe the space and key amenities

Paint a picture of your listing with your description and space information. Include all features and amenities, starting with the most sought-after and unique to your listing. The space information should include information guests seek like: the number and type of beds, welcome gifts, internet/tv options, on-site amenities, nearby attractions, pet information, etc. 

Be concise

Character limits apply in the description – so every letter counts! The description should present the must-know info about your listing in an attractive manner. Avoid filler words like ‘nice, clean, private’ – use descriptive and elevated adjectives to make your listing pop. Use an online thesaurus if you need suggestions.

Break it up

Use paragraph breaks after every few lines of text. Many guests are searching OTA’s on their mobile devices. Long ‘walls’ of text are hard to read and will cause the guest to lose interest quickly. Use a list where possible – like when listing the number and type of beds. Since you can’t make a bulleted list on OTA’s, we use star symbols as bullets.

4. Add amenities and features (make sure to list all amenities and consider adding as many additional low-cost amenities as possible)

List ALL amenities

It is important to list out everything that you have provided for your guests. If you have a toaster – list it. Airbnbs are all unique and unless you tell your guests what they can expect to be available for their stay, they won’t know. Go room by room and add every amenity that you have. 

Amenities don’t have to be expensive

A well-appointed listing generally performs higher than one that lacks amenities, especially if the lacking amenities are considered to be ‘essential.’ Consider your audience and include amenities that will elevate their experience. Nothing needs to be extravagant unless your listing calls for that. Essential items like toiletries and paper towels can be purchased in bulk to save even more.

A welcome gift goes a long way

Providing features and amenities make for an enjoyable guest experience, which yields more of those coveted 5-star reviews. Small welcome gifts build rapport and connection w/ guests and let them know you care about your property and their experience. We avoid alcohol or bottles of wine for liability purposes. Ex: If you have a fire pit – a smores ‘starter kit’ including a bag of marshmallows, Hershey’s bar, and a small bag of graham crackers is less than $10 per booking. 

Bonus: Recoup some/all of the amenities cost in the cleaning fee

The cost of items that need to be purchased frequently like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, soap, etc. can be recouped by increasing your cleaning fee by a few dollars. You can also offset these costs by increasing your nightly rate to account for the expenses.

5. Order your photos high value —> fluff

Ordering photos effectively on Airbnb can significantly impact the appeal and presentation of a rental property. Here are three tips on how to best order photos on Airbnb:

Start with a captivating cover photo

The cover photo is the first impression potential guests will have of the property. It should be visually appealing, showcase the property’s best features, and evoke a sense of desire to explore further. Consider using a high-quality, well-lit photo that highlights the property’s unique selling points, such as a stunning view, an inviting living space, or an attractive outdoor area. A captivating cover photo will entice users to click and explore the rest of the photo gallery.

Present photos in a logical and engaging sequence

After the cover photo, the following photos should be arranged in a logical and engaging sequence. Begin with an overview of the main living spaces, such as the living room, dining area, and kitchen. Then, move on to showcase the bedrooms, bathrooms, and any additional noteworthy areas or amenities. It’s important to prioritize the most visually appealing and well-maintained areas of the property. This progression allows potential guests to envision themselves moving through the space and getting a comprehensive understanding of the property’s layout and features.

Highlight key selling points and unique features

Throughout the photo gallery, be sure to emphasize the property’s key selling points and unique features. Whether it’s a luxurious bathroom, a spacious balcony, or a charming backyard, focus on showcasing these aspects with high-quality photos. Close-up shots can help highlight details and create a sense of immersion. Including photos that demonstrate the property’s amenities, such as a swimming pool, gym, or entertainment area, can also be impactful in attracting guests. By prominently displaying these unique features, potential guests can quickly assess whether the property aligns with their preferences and desires.

Remember, high-quality, well-lit photos taken from different angles can significantly enhance the overall presentation of the property and increase its appeal to potential guests.

6. Implement dynamic pricing

Short-term rental dynamic pricing refers to the strategy of adjusting the rental price of a property based on various factors such as demand, seasonality, local events, and other market conditions. This strategy enables property owners and managers to optimize their revenue by pricing their rental units competitively, maximizing occupancy rates, and generating higher revenue during peak periods.

Gather data

To implement dynamic pricing, property owners and managers need to collect data on their local market conditions, such as occupancy rates, seasonal trends, and competition pricing. They can also use third-party tools and software (like PriceLabs) to monitor these factors.

Set pricing rules

Based on the data collected, property owners and managers can create pricing rules to determine how much to adjust the rental price based on specific factors such as demand, seasonality, and competition pricing. For example, they may choose to increase their prices during peak periods, lower prices during low demand, or adjust prices based on the competition’s rates.

Monitor and adjust pricing

Once the pricing rules have been set, property owners and managers need to monitor the market and adjust their prices accordingly. They can use automated pricing tools that will adjust the prices in real-time or set up regular reviews to ensure that the pricing strategy is working as intended. Additionally, they can use feedback from guests to fine-tune their pricing strategy and improve their revenue optimization.

7. Provide Well-Defined Rules and Policies

Having well-defined rules and policies is essential for any short-term rental business, as it helps to establish clear guidelines for guests and hosts alike. Here are three bullet points outlining the benefits of having well-defined short-term rental rules and policies:

Improves guest experience

When guests know what to expect from a short-term rental property, they are more likely to have a positive experience. Well-defined rules and policies can help set expectations around issues such as noise levels, check-in and check-out procedures, and other important details. This clarity can reduce confusion and misunderstandings, and ultimately improve guest satisfaction.

Helps mitigate risks

Short-term rental businesses face a range of risks, including property damage, liability, and safety concerns. Having well-defined rules and policies can help mitigate these risks by setting clear expectations for guests around issues such as smoking, pets, and safety procedures. It can also provide hosts with a clear framework for responding to incidents or emergencies that may arise.

Supports compliance

Short-term rental businesses are subject to a range of regulations and laws, including zoning regulations, tax requirements, and safety codes. Having well-defined rules and policies can help ensure compliance with these regulations by outlining requirements such as licensing, occupancy limits, and other key details. This can help hosts avoid fines, penalties, and legal issues that may arise from non-compliance.

8. Create a Welcome Guide

Providing short-term rental (STR) guests with a welcome guide can greatly enhance their experience and set the stage for a successful stay. Here are three benefits of providing a welcome guide to STR guests:

Streamlines communication

A welcome guide serves as a comprehensive resource that consolidates important information about the rental property, its amenities, and local attractions. By providing guests with a well-organized guide, hosts can streamline communication and reduce the need for repetitive questions or inquiries. Guests can refer to the guide for answers to common queries, such as Wi-Fi instructions, check-out procedures, and recommendations for nearby restaurants or activities. This saves time for both hosts and guests, enabling a smoother and more efficient experience.

Enhances guest satisfaction

A well-curated welcome guide can enhance guest satisfaction by providing them with valuable information and insights. It can include details about the property’s unique features, instructions for using appliances or equipment, emergency contacts, and any specific rules or policies. Additionally, hosts can include personalized touches in the guide, such as welcome messages, local tips, and recommendations tailored to the guests’ interests or preferences. By providing guests with helpful and personalized information, hosts can foster a positive impression and create a memorable stay, leading to higher guest satisfaction and potentially positive reviews.

Empowers guests to explore and enjoy the area

A welcome guide can serve as a valuable tool for guests to discover and explore the surrounding area. By including information about nearby attractions, landmarks, activities, and transportation options, hosts can empower guests to make the most of their stay. Guests may appreciate recommendations for local restaurants, shops, cultural events, or outdoor recreational activities. This not only enhances their overall experience but also encourages them to engage with the local community, supporting the local economy. By providing guests with a comprehensive guide, hosts contribute to a more enriching and enjoyable stay for their guests.

**Cohosty would love to create your welcome guide for you! Click here to fill out the Welcome Guide information form.

9. Act on valuable guest feedback

Acting on valuable guest feedback is crucial for improving the guest experience and enhancing the overall quality of a short-term rental business. Here are three examples of how to act on such feedback:

Address specific concerns or issues

When guests provide feedback about specific concerns or issues they encountered during their stay, it is important to acknowledge and address them promptly. Whether it’s a maintenance issue, a cleanliness concern, or a malfunctioning appliance, taking immediate action to resolve the problem shows responsiveness and a commitment to guest satisfaction. This could involve arranging repairs, scheduling additional cleaning, or providing compensation if necessary. By addressing specific concerns, hosts demonstrate their dedication to ensuring a positive experience for future guests.

Implement necessary improvements or changes

Guest feedback often highlights areas where improvements or changes can be made to enhance the overall guest experience. It’s important to carefully review and analyze the feedback received and identify common themes or recurring issues. Once these areas for improvement are identified, hosts can take proactive steps to make the necessary changes. For example, if guests frequently mention the need for clearer instructions on how to operate certain appliances, hosts can update their welcome guide to provide detailed and easy-to-follow instructions. By implementing improvements based on guest feedback, hosts show their commitment to continuously enhancing their rental property and services.

Communicate with guests and show appreciation

Acting on guest feedback not only involves making tangible changes but also engaging in open and transparent communication with guests. When guests take the time to provide feedback, whether positive or negative, it is important to acknowledge and appreciate their input. Responding to feedback shows that hosts value guest opinions and are committed to their satisfaction. Hosts can express gratitude for the feedback, explain any actions taken in response, and provide updates on how their suggestions have been implemented. This level of communication fosters a positive guest-host relationship, encourages future feedback, and demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving the guest experience.