The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Airbnb Hosting — — Hosting Advice, Tips, & Resources

Be responsive to guest messages

Being proactive when it comes to your messaging works in your favor for two reasons. Firstly, responding quickly to any messages and inquiries that come in leaves a good impression on guests. The faster you respond to a guest’s message, the more likely they are to book with you than if you responded a day later.

Secondly, maintaining a high response rate on Airbnb signals that you are an active host on the platform, which can improve your SERP rankings and help you to obtain Superhost status.

Learn how to create an Airbnb message strategy to perfect your guest communication

Employ vacation rental automation

Utilizing automation in your property management strategy is the best investment for short and long-term success. Not only does automation ensure that all your routine tasks are taken care of, but it also streamlines and speeds up all your processes.

This results in better, faster service, which can benefit your booking rate, reviews, and host rating. For instance, iGMS is a vacation rental software that utilizes automation to help hosts run their business on autopilot.With iGMS, you can:

Find the best location

Firstly, you need to make sure that your potential Airbnb property is in an ideal space for hosting guests. Ask yourself the following questions when you begin to look at potential properties to invest in:

• What kind of property do I want to rent out? (a house, cottage, apartment, etc.)
• Is this property in a city, town, or the countryside?
• Is the area surrounding the property a safe place for guests to stay in?
• What attractions can be found near the property that will be a drawcard for guests?
• Does the property’s location attract much foot traffic throughout the year?
• How many competitors are in the property’s surrounding area?

Furnish your rental

Your furnishings are a big part of the decision-making process of prospective guests. If your furnishings clash with one another or look unappealing, it might put guests off from booking with you. Before you make any style decisions, remember that you’re styling your space for your target guest and not you personally.

When deciding on how to best furnish your Airbnb, take into account the following points: 

1. Your property’s location (you can use inspiration for your property’s interior design by looking at its surroundings)
2. Your target guest (for example, if you cater to digital nomads, don’t forget to arrange a comfy working area)
3. An atmosphere that you would like to create with your lighting and accessories
4. Practicality and comfort (as furniture in vacation rentals is susceptible to premature wear and tear, purchase high-quality items that will provide a decent level of comfort to your guests).
   

Learn how to furnish your vacation rental home for a definitive guest experience

Publish your Airbnb listing

Creating an Airbnb listing is completely free but does require a bit of logical planning. The simplest way to do it is to follow these steps listed below:

Your listing will need a title that will jump out and catch the attention of guests browsing Airbnb’s search results. This may sound like an impossible task, but with some careful phrasing and a keen eye, you can position your listing for more hits with a surefire title. Here are some tips for writing a knockout title:

• • Don’t mention your home’s basic features (such as a 2-bedroom apartment), instead, feature its key selling points (a 2-bedroom apartment with stunning seaside views)
  • Update your title to mention any new renovations or upgrades
  • You can also update your title to include any current packages or specials you might be running
  • Use abbreviations to shorten words and optimize the character count of your title
  • Don’t go over the 50 character limit, or your title will be cut off in the search results.

Get the full how-to for writing winning Airbnb tiles for your listings 

Photos are an essential part of your listing, as they will be the first thing that catches the eye of potential guests. For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest time and money in your pictures to ensure they look professional and attractive. Here are some quick tips for striking photos:

• • Use a photography camera to take your listing photos
  • Shoot from a corner to ensure your space doesn’t look small or cramped in the pictures.
  • Take interior as well as exterior photos of your property
  • If you’re not a professional photographer or don’t have the tools, consider hiring one. It’s worthwhile ensuring that your Airbnb listings have high-quality photos that make an impact.
  • Use free online editing tools to add more color and contrast to your pictures, but don’t go overboard with saturation and contrast; otherwise, they may look unrealistic.

Learn how to take great Airbnb photos for your vacation rental listing

New hosts might think they can skip writing a description for their listing if they have top-notch photos of their property. The reality is your Airbnb’s photos and listing description work hand in hand to generate guest reservations. 

Your listing description is your chance to market and sell your rental to your target audience. Mention all the positives, but also be honest about any negatives, as you don’t want to create a false impression in guests’ eyes. Here are some ways you can write a winning description:

• • Use memorable and engaging language in your description (instead of writing “nice,” “beautiful,” or “comfortable,” write “delightful,” “gorgeous” or “cozy”)
  • Mention your home’s unique selling points, for example, having an indoor pool or space for outdoor dining. You can also mention nearby attractions, such as walking distance to the beach, or around the corner from the metro station.
  • Describe the kind of experience your space offers to guests (perhaps, your Airbnb is a writer’s retreat or an artist’s haven, or a lover’s getaway. Keep your target guest in mind here)
  • Remember not to make your listing description sound like too much of an advert (avoid hard selling jargon like “special offer — don’t miss out!” or “book now before it’s too late!”)
    

Add amenities and supplies to your rental

A vacation rental that offers more amenities and supplies for guests is more likely to enjoy consistent bookings. Keep in mind that you don’t need to spend a fortune installing amenities. Here are a few hacks to help you get started:

Get inside information on stocking the very best vacation rental supplies

Set up your Airbnb host profile and account

The next thing you should do is create and complete your hosting profile. Having a host profile is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it signals to Airbnb that you are a legitimate host who is active on the platform. 

Secondly, having a detailed Airbnb host profile also shows potential guests that you are an honest and trustworthy person. If a guest finds your listing on Airbnb, they are likely going to look up your host profile to gauge whether it’s a scam or not.

• Adding a recent photo of yourself
• Writing about yourself in your profile description
• Mention some of your hobbies and interests to personalize your profile

Discover how to write an outstanding Airbnb profile

Get more five-star reviews

When it comes to reviews, it’s not just about the number; it’s also about the quality. These days, guests place a high value on the reviews and feedback of past guests. Because of this, the reviews that hosts collect on Airbnb can have a big impact on whether or not a guest decides to book with them.Aside from helping you secure future bookings, great reviews can also be very helpful to hosts.

If you do receive a bad review, make sure you publicly respond to it. Let the guest know you have taken note of their feedback and thank them for taking the time to let you know. This signals to past and future guests that you do care about their guest experience and are dedicated to improving your service.

A great way to encourage guests to write a positive review for you is to write one for them first. It can also act as a reminder if guests have forgotten to leave you a review.

Get pro-tips on how to write stellar Airbnb reviews for your guests

Learn short-term rental laws and regulations

Many cities and countries have imposed restrictions and even bans on vacation rentals, which directly impacts hosts looking to set up their businesses there. To avoid paying hefty penalties or fines, make sure your property adheres to the regulations and laws of your city or state:

Discover all the ins and outs of Airbnb regulations for your business

Prepare and clean your rental

Before listing on Airbnb, you need to make sure your house is in pristine condition for your guests. If it doesn’t look spotless, your guest might be put off and write a negative review, which can hurt your Airbnb host rating. 

On top of that, it also looks unprofessional to have an Airbnb that doesn’t offer hotel-grade cleanliness. Thus, to help you stay competitive, keeping your space spick and span is a must. Things to include in your cleaning checklist are:

• Vacuuming all rugs and carpets
• Deep cleaning the sofas and pillows
• Mopping all floors
• Dusting and wiping down all surfaces and countertops
• Sanitizing all surfaces with a disinfectant
• Washing and replacing all sheets and pillowcases
• Washing and replacing all used towels
• Replenishing supplies in every room.

Aside from deciding how you will handle cleanings, you also need to decide if you will charge guests a cleaning fee or not. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to maintenance-related fees, as each host’s property is unique.

A good place to start is to gauge the space of your house and the time required to clean it. A one-bedroom apartment is much easier to clean than a 4-bedroom house with a garden. 

Dive into vacation rental cleaning for keeping your property sparkling clean

Price your vacation rental

When selecting a price for your vacation home, keep in mind that finding the perfect price can be a balancing act. Hosts who price their rental too low may attract irresponsible or unsavory guests. Hosts who price it too high will likely drive target guests towards competitors.At the same time, you need to make sure the price you select for your booking fee covers all your operating costs and still allows you to generate a profit.

Additionally, you should be changing your pricing according to your high and low season, and special deals when you offer them. It might seem like a monumental task, but you’ll get the hang of pricing with a bit of practice. Some pricing strategies you can implement include the following:

Learn about effective Airbnb pricing strategies to boost your earnings

Promote and market your listing

To take your visibility one step further and reach an even wider audience beyond Airbnb, you need a cohesive marketing strategy on your side. Marketing your listing may seem like an arduous task, but it’s essential to draw more eyes to your listing and maximize your income.

You’re also likely to get left behind if your competitors are actively marketing their Airbnb listings and you’re not. However, marketing your properties doesn’t need to be a chore. By following the suggestions below, you can harness a multi-approach marketing strategy that’s sure to bring results.

The first thing you should do is put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. What is their age group, and what platforms do they use to find information or entertainment? By keeping your target guest in mind, you can begin planning and tailoring your marketing strategy towards them.

You can also take a look at what your competitors are doing to promote their listings, but keep in mind that your marketing goals and needs might be a bit different from theirs. Use their methods for inspiration, but don’t make your strategy a carbon copy of theirs.

Find out how to craft your own Airbnb marketing strategy

Achieve Superhost status

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is a sure way to attract more reservations and repeat guests. Superhost status is awarded to hosts who have been recognized by Airbnb for providing outstanding service to guests. While you won’t become a Superhost overnight, there are certain criteria you have to meet that you can begin working on:

• Host at least ten trips throughout a year (keeping Instant Book activated can help you achieve this faster)
• Maintain a 90% or higher response rate 
• Have a cancellation rate of 1% or lower
• Obtain a host rating of at least 4.8 or higher
• Have 80% of your reviews be 5-star reviews

After becoming a Superhost, you will receive a Superhost badge that Airbnb adds to your listings and profile. This helps guests to easily identify you as a Superhost, which will make them more inclined to book your property.

Explore the ins and outs of Airbnb Superhost status and how to achieve it

Consider fees and estimate expenses

Another important issue for hosts to take into account relates to fees and expenses necessary to maintain their house. Aside from vacation rental and state-applicable taxes, you will also need to pay a hosting fee to Airbnb every time a guest books your home.

On top of this, there are a certain amount of once-off and fixed expenses you will need to pay for property maintenance. To help speed up this process, here are some questions you should answer when estimating your expenses:

• Do you need to make any renovations to the property to increase its appeal?
• Do you need to make any repairs to ensure it’s in perfect working condition?
• Do you need to buy new furniture or appliances for your Airbnb?
• How will you handle the cleaning of the property between each reservation?
• How will you handle repairs and maintenance between each reservation?
  

Get an in-depth walkthrough of how to make a successful vacation rental investment

Set your house rules

When it comes to Airbnb house rules, the best policy for hosts is to be open and honest with guests. Including your rules as part of your listing description is ideal, as it shows guests what you expect from the beginning.

They can then decide if the rules suit the kind of stay they are looking for. This can prevent misunderstandings from happening further down the line. In addition to placing them in your Airbnb listing description, you should also place a copy of your house rules in your property. Some commonplace rules many Airbnb hosts are related to:

• Check-in and checkout times for guests
• Breakages and damages
• Noise levels
• Cleaning and general cleanliness
• Parties and extra guests
• Safety
  

Discover how to write vacation rental house rules for your guests

Offer discounts and special packages

During your low season or if you are experiencing a prolonged quiet period, a way to encourage more reservations is to offer discounts and limited special packages. These reductions in your prices can help increase your income when it’s not your high season. 

Offering special reductions should assist you during slower periods. However, they should not be the driving force behind your revenue. If you find you are not receiving many bookings throughout the year (especially during your high season),  you may need to take another look at your pricing strategy. 

Some common examples of discounts used by Airbnb hosts include:

• Weekday discounts (a reduction in your price per night for bookings during the week)
• Special packages or discounts centered around a holiday (Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc.) 
• Low season special offers (e.g., a reduction in your rate per night in winter if you own a beach house or a summer special if you own a property near a ski resort). 

Choose your cancellation policy

It’s important to choose a cancellation policy that’s in line with the management strategy you want to use, as well as the kind of stays you offer.

If you opt for the Flexible cancellation policy, you can potentially earn more reservations, but the downside is that guests can cancel for free up to 24 hours before their booking begins. Using the Moderate policy protects hosts against last-minute cancellations. However, with this policy, a cancellation rebate will still be lower than the booking fee. 

The Strict policy does not allow guests to cancel less than a week in advance without forfeiting their full booking fee. This will help you to attract more serious guests, but it can also result in far fewer reservations than if you had the Moderate or Flexible policy. 

If you allow long-term stays, it makes sense to choose the long-term cancellation policy.

Take a closer look at how Airbnb cancellation policies work

Never stop learning

Finally, if you want to be an excellent host, recognize that there is always something more to learn. The vacation rental industry is always evolving, and new trends replace old ones at the drop of a hat. Whether you’re just starting out or an Airbnb hosting veteran, if you want to be exceptional, you have to be willing to keep an open mind and commit to being a lifelong learner. 

Ways to stay on the pulse of the hosting community include:

The great thing about these resources is that they are completely free and are used by like-minded hosts who share similar goals and objectives.

Be ahead of the curve by checking out the top property management blogs and vacation rental hosting forums 

Research your target audience

Your target audience will help you define the kind of hosting experience you want to offer. So it’s worthwhile taking time to define and research your ideal type of guest. There are a number of questions you can ask that will help you do this:

• What is the size and type of your Airbnb? (Is it a house or an apartment? How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?)
• How many people can you comfortably host in your space?
• Where is it located? (Is it in the suburbs, near a beach, in the middle of the city?)
• Who lives in the surrounding community? (Is it mostly families, students, working professionals, etc.?)

Once you have jotted down answers to these questions, you can begin to conceptualize the kind of guests that your house will most appeal to.

If you decide to cater to families with children, take note that you will need to take extra precautions to ensure your space is safe for children, especially those who are under three years old.

Learn more about how to create an impeccable family-friendly vacation rental

Arrange your check-in and checkout times

If you’re looking to maximize your reservations, you need to make sure your Airbnb house is cleaned and prepared quickly and efficiently in between them, which necessitates guests knowing exactly when they need to check out. 

Ensuring your guests know when they should check in and check out is essential for the smooth running of your vacation rental business. Not only will it make your hosting job easier, but it will also contribute to a better overall guest experience.

On your side as the host, you need to make the check-in process as smooth as possible for guests. You’ll either need to be there yourself or have someone in your place to give your guests their keys. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more guests are choosing to book short-term rentals that offer self-check-in options, which allows them to arrive when they choose and adhere to social distancing measures. 

For checking out, on top of letting your guests know what time, you should also leave clear instructions for guests regarding their check out. Some examples for rules include:Before checking out, please:

• Empty your trash bags into the large bin outside
• Place used towels in the wash basket in the main bedroom
• Close and secure all windows and doors
• Wash and pack away all dishes
• Switch of all appliances
• Do a last check to make sure you haven’t forgotten to pack any items.

Get a full understanding of how Airbnb self-check-in works and how to set it up 

Get vacation rental insurance

Although it’s not mandatory to have specialized insurance for your home, it’s highly recommended for hosts to get it. If you are looking for basic coverage when you host, Airbnb does provide Host Guarantee protection for covering some assets.

Additionally, standard property insurance generally does not cover vacation rentals as short-term renting is considered a business. When deciding if you should get coverage for your house, keep these questions in mind:

• What is the combined value of the furniture and appliances in my Airbnb?
• Are there any high-value items in my home, for example, expensive artwork or jewelry?
• Is my home in an area that experiences extreme weather (such as blizzards, hurricanes, etc.)?
• Am I planning to rent out my property for the entire year or only part of the year?

Get an understanding of why it’s important to have vacation rental insurance for your business

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Becoming an outstanding host

With your house set and your listings live, you’re nearly ready to join the Airbnb hosting community. But you can’t expect to get far if your host skills are lacking in key areas. Guests aren’t just looking for the best Airbnb house or most eye-catching listing.

Creating your airbnb listing

With your business plan set up and your rental in immaculate condition, you’re free to start the exciting process of creating your first Airbnb listing! However, there’s more to creating a listing than you might initially think. If you’re aiming to rank higher in Airbnb’s SERP results, there are a few steps you should complete to improve your chances.

What to do before you start your airbnb hosting journey

So you have decided that you want to start hosting on Airbnb and rent out your property to guests — that’s great! But before you get started, you will need to do a fair bit of planning and research before you begin your Airbnb hosting journey. Find out what steps you should follow first below: 

Improve your listing’s ranking in SERP results

It’s no secret that Airbnb is an incredibly competitive platform with thousands of new hosts and listings joining every day. The listings that occupy the first page are far more likely to get booked than the Airbnb listings on the third or fourth page.

Improve your listings’ rankings by diving into Airbnb SEO best practices

Conclusion

Great Airbnb hosting takes time and effort to master, but, with consistent work and dedication, anyone can do it. To make your journey to success faster and easier, employ automation. Vacation rental software and other ProTech tools have become irreplaceable helpers that save time on property management and keep your business under control with less hassle.