In the UK alone, there were an estimated 257,000 active Airbnb listings as of January 2020. Since the end of lockdown restrictions, this figure is on the rise, and keeping occupancy rates high has become an Airbnb host's largest challenge yet.
If you are an Airbnb host keen to boost your listing, look no further than this blog post! We’ve compiled our top tips on how to prime your Airbnb listing and keep occupancy rates healthy.
1. Complete your Airbnb profile
Verifying your identity is supremely important, and confirms that you are a trustworthy host with a flick of a glance. It takes less than 2 minutes to verify your profile, and all you need is a driver's license or passport and a clear picture of your face. Check that you haven’t missed any information from your profile, as Airbnb views a complete profile as an indication of an active host, and ranks your listings higher on search results. Result!
Airbnb recommends that profiles feature multiple verifications, at least 50 words about yourself, your hobbies, your property and why you became a host and anything else hosts should know. You are also required to have a profile photo, make sure it’s recent so guests recognise you if you plan to meet them during their stay.
A strong listing shows you are trustworthy and invested in hosting, and creates trust with guests before they have even booked their stay.
2. Avoid cancellations
Becoming a successful Airbnb host requires commitment and organisation, and it doesn’t suit every lifestyle. Be wary that Airbnb heavily penalises hosts who cancel a booking without plenty of notice. Only accept a booking if you are confident it can be fulfilled. Alternatively, if you live far from your Airbnb or are planning to travel, it may be worth hiring a property management company that will manage bookings, check-in, and check-out for you. This means you don’t have to be physically present for your guests and removes the hassle of hosting. To find out more about property management services, please visit www.passthekeys.co.uk
3. Invest in professional shots of your property
Competition is fierce, so you want your Airbnb to look its best. Using a professional photographer to capture your Airbnb in its best light is highly recommended. Photographers use quality cameras to capture the charm of your place, and this shines through on the app.
4. Reviews!
Give your guests something to write about! A profile with plenty of positive reviews is almost a guarantee of a healthy occupancy rate and higher search rankings. For more guidance on giving guests an unforgettable stay, please see this blog post. (Blog Post 3 - April)
To encourage a steady stream of reviews, leave your guest feedback promptly after check-out to encourage a quick response.
5. Become a Superhost
Gaining the elite status of Airbnb Superhost involves four key steps:
Seems a little overwhelming? Airbnb management companies like Pass the Keys can help you achieve this elite status by managing guest communications, organising bookings, and delivering a quality guest experience.
Superhosts gain more from Airbnb, with higher search rankings, exclusive rewards, and higher occupancy rates.
6. Hire a property manager to boost listings
Building and maintaining a strong Airbnb listing is quite the challenge in the booming short-let market. It is one thing to launch an Airbnb listing and another to keep it profitable, especially if you don’t live in proximity to your Airbnb or have a busy lifestyle.
With Pass the Keys, your local branch provides a hassle-free management service. Our industry-leading software optimises your listing across all major booking platforms, hires professional photographers to capture the individuality of your Airbnb, and manages the guest experience from end to end.
That’s right! From initial inquiries, booking management, check-in, laundry, cleaning, incident management, and key exchange; we take care of it all. With a score of 4.9* on Trustpilot, our hosts put our trust in us and we deliver.
We use local property managers with local knowledge who can turn your Airbnb into a fully-fledged short-letting business. Local by nature, with the support of an industry-leading national brand.
So if you are looking to host a short letting experience but don’t have the time, give us a call today on 020 8050 2818 to find out more about our management services and begin your short-letting journey today.