Listing your property on Airbnb with the intention to get more bookings needs a well-thought framework. It isn’t just about simply clicking a few pictures, jotting down some words, and posting. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it goes far beyond that. Did you know that there are 7.7 million plus listings on Airbnb? Standing out from this listing crowd, you would need a complete strategy in place.
To help you rise above the noise, we have gathered some effective Airbnb listing tips that will not only get you noticed but also help you get more bookings. So, if you want your rental property to go from empty to occupied, keep on reading!
6 Airbnb Listing Tips to Help You Stand Out
1. Capture Attention With High Quality Visuals
Investing in professional photography for your Airbnb listing is going to benefit you in the longer run. Though it is a one time investment, it can work wonders for you if done the right way. Your photos should be enticing and drool-worthy that make your guest say “Can I just move in and never leave”?. Trust me, those Instagram photos are going to bring in the dough!
The Art Of Capturing Outstanding Photos
Golden-Hour Bliss: Who needs fancy lights when you have the golden-hour(dawn or dusk) to capture warm, soft-light that makes your space look inviting and cozy. You can shoot your photos during this time (usually 60 minutes after or before) sunrise or sunset.
Style It Up: Add a bit of personality into your space. Set up some props like flowers, vintage decor or just throw some cozy blankets – honestly, whatever you have in sight – just style it up and create a welcoming atmosphere to make your photos visually appealing.
Resolution: Airbnb recommends using images with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels or higher. High resolution pictures always create an impression on the viewer.
Enhancing Photos
Use a photo collage as your cover image to showcase the highlights of your property. High-quality, well-lit images can make a big difference in attracting clicks.
2. Write A Compelling Listing
To catch the attention of the reader right off the bat, craft an engaging title. Use descriptive language to highlight the space’s décor, ambiance and the character. Use short paragraphs and bullets to make it easy to read. Also write about the local area including restaurant recommendations, attractions and activities.
How To Write An Engaging Airbnb Listing?
Put Yourself in Guest’s Shoes: The best way to write an effective listing is putting yourself in the guest’s shoes. Think of what they will want to know as soon as they land on your listing. Other than just highlighting features, try to explain how they can benefit from them. Use action-oriented language like “Unwind, Relax” to persuade them to take action.
Use Attention-Grabbing Headline: To create an attention-grabbing Airbnb headline, highlight unique features or benefits that appeal to your target audience. Use words that evoke luxury, comfort, location perks, or specific experiences. Here are a few examples:
Cozy Cabin Retreat – Hot Tub & Mountain Trails
Pet-Friendly Lake House with Private Dock
Be Clear: Be as transparent as possible in your listings. State truth about your property so your guests do not have any disappointments during their stay. Mention the number of bedrooms, the bathrooms, the sizes and all the necessary details.
For example:
“The residence is located on the upper floor of a duplex apartment and is reserved exclusively for Airbnb guests.
Please note that, as there is no elevator, this accommodation may not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.”
-Highlight Unique Features
Include the area or neighborhood name if it’s well-known or highlight proximity to a popular amenity (e.g., “5min Walk to the Beach” or “Near Downtown Attractions”). Keep it concise but attention-grabbing.
-Describe Amenities:
Describe the neighborhood and nearby amenities in detail. Mention parking availability, nearby shopping malls, children’s play areas, and popular attractions. Update regularly with information about upcoming events in the area.
-Targeting Long-Term Guests
If offering stays over 28 days, include details like nearby hospitals and facilities. Use phrases like “Ideal for Travel Nurses” or “Perfect for Remote Workers” to attract specific guest types.
-Adding Travel Distances
Provide travel distances to nearby attractions, landmarks, or amenities to help your listing appeal to guests looking for specific areas.
3. Optimize for SEO
In such a crowded industry, your listing is bound to become a needle in a haystack. Boring writing, dull pictures and un-optimized descriptions might just be the reason for less bookings. For that matter, you would have to climb-up the search engine ladder through the right SEO tactics.
Some SEO Tips for Your Airbnb Listing
Use Keywords Wisely: Add key terms like “cozy cabin,” “beachfront apartment,” or “family-friendly” in your title and description to match what guests are searching for.
Optimize for Mobile Searches: Ensure your listing is clear and concise, as most travelers browse on mobile devices. Short sentences and bullet points help.
Leverage Nearby Attractions: Mention local hotspots or landmarks (“5 min to Eiffel Tower”) to appear in location-specific searches.
-Optimizing Performance with Insights
After publishing your listing, monitor views and clicks using Airbnb Insights. Compare with similar listings and adjust content, pricing, or photos for A/B testing to improve conversions.
-Testing Visibility
Search for your listing using an incognito or private browser window as a guest would. Check for ranking on page 1 for different dates and guest counts. If it’s not ranking, optimize your listing title, description, or pricing to improve visibility.
4. Highlight Your Amenities
Offering unique amenities will definitely put you ahead of the competition as many of the guests filter their search by amenities. Your Airbnb listing is highly likely to show up if you are offering what the searches are filtered for.
The Top 10 Amenities Guest Filter For Are:
- WiFi
- Kitchen2
- Pool
- Hot Tub
- Washing Machine
- Pets Friendly
- Desk / Workspace
- Air Conditioning
- Free Parking
- Heating
5. List Your House Rules
House rules are pretty essential for creating a comfortable and respectful stay for both the host and guests. Therefore, house rules clearly spell out what can be done, such as noise level, smoking, and check-in and check-out times and the no-pets policy, among others. These outlines ensure protection of property, neighborly relationships, and a safe and enjoyable stay. Clear rules also cause no misunderstanding and give clients the confidence to feel welcome in your stay.
Here are some examples of house rules you can include in your listing:
- No Smoking: Smoking is not permitted inside the property.
- Quiet Hours: Please keep noise to a minimum between 10 PM and 7 AM.
- Pets: Pets are welcome, but please inform us in advance and ensure they are well-behaved.
- Parties: No parties or events are allowed.
- Check-In/Out Times: Check-in is from 3 PM, and check-out is by 11 AM.
- Cleaning: Please clean up after yourself and leave the property as you found it.
- Visitor Policy: Only registered guests are allowed on the property.
- Garbage Disposal: Dispose of trash in the designated bins before departure.
6. Setting Up Your Pricing
Research your competition and analyze the similar listings in your area to determine a fair and competitive price. You can also offer discounts for long-term stays (7+nights), off seasons bookings and last minute deals. Adjust your pricing to the seasonal demands. For example, increase pricing during peak times, (summers, holidays, festivals) and decrease during the off seasons. Set a minimum stay requirement to discourage one night bookings and attract long term clients.
Final Thought
With such a competitive dynamic in the short-term rental industry, these Airbnb listing tips will definitely give you an edge and you’ll be well on your way to create a compelling listing that attracts more bookings and sets you apart from the competition. With attractive photos, optimized titles and descriptions, showcasing the unique features of your Airbnb, you are getting one step ahead of the other ones!
Also Read: How To Furnish An Airbnb?
