Having a strong, compelling listing with the right details can make all the difference in the performance of a vacation rental property. Check back here for more information as we are able to publish more guides, but we strongly suggest the following to perform well in today’s competitive short-term rental market:
Listing Platform
Listing Tips
- Use professional photography that’s both beautiful and accurate.
- Utilize Airbnb, Vrbo, and a direct booking site (see below for more on that) to attract the maximum number of guests, especially in seasonal markets.
- Use a compelling title that highlights the best parts of the guest experience. Don’t be afraid to change your title seasonally or experiment with different titles.
- Name your space. “Hobbit’s Retreat” stands out (and fits a title) better than “Comfortable underground dwelling with stocked pantry and low ceilings”.
- Be clear in the photos and description about the layout of the house and grounds. Guests will sooner book places if they know whether they have an ensuite bathroom or whether there’s an exterior exit in the bedroom, etc.
- In your written listing description, bullet point any and all amenities, especially those that aren’t included in the checkboxes provided by the booking channels.
- Set a cancelation penalty that attracts guests, yet protects you in case of a cancelation that’s close to the check-in. Set expectations with guests early (in the listing or initial messaging) about what will happen in the even of a cancellation. Most guests will not have read the cancelation policy and will often expect a full refund unless you tell them what to expect.
- Be clear about any house rules and policies your guests will need to know in advance, including whether pets, weddings, commercial photography, etc. may or may not be allowed.
- If you require a written agreement, ID, or deposit, you must include this information in the listing.
- Disclose any and all potential extra charges in the listing.
Don’t want to go through the hassle of building your online listing? Consider our Guide Service where we build, optimize, and maintain the listing for you!