How to get more bookings on Airbnb?

[Jennifer4]

Hi,

My name is Jennifer and I am an Airbnb Host for almost two years at this time. I have rented to hundreds of clients and have been a Superhost for over one year. In the beginning I didn't get that many bookings, however currently I am 90% fully booked every single month.

This is what I did, to get more bookings per month:

1. Great pictures

In the beginning when I didn’t receive reservations I had pictures made with my mobile phone, they weren’t that great so I changed them. I learned that people are attracted by great pictures. I mean, ask yourself this question. Would I stay in my own place just looking at the pictures I currently have on Airbnb­?

I paid a professional photographer to make great pictures of everything my apartment, the building and the neighborhood have to offer. I have uploaded over 20 pictures per apartment and assured that all important details are being shown, this way my guests now exactly what they’re going to find without even reading the description.

1. Great Descriptions

When writing your property description be as clear and specific as possible, assure that all small details are inserted so potential guests won’t have to send you emails asking for details. It is also very important that your description is attractive to read, and makes the guest feel like they want to stay in your apartment. Once writing a great description about your property, the building, neighborhood etc. Assure that you adjust it into different languages if possible. Most of my current guests are from the United States, therefore I have my descriptions both in English and Spanish.

Another detail is spelling, try to avoid spelling mistakes as this will look unprofessional.

1. Guest Communication

Once your profile has been setup correct, you will see that the first requests and reservations will come in soon. A great way to stay up to date with what is happening and to respond in a timely manner is to download the Airbnb mobile app. I use this on a daily base to stay up to date, as I will receive a text message each time I have a reservation or request I am able to respond quicker. Assume that guests may write several properties, your timely respond is key to be able to get the reservation.

When responding to guests try to respond in a friendly and professional way, in their own language if possible and respond as quickly as possible.

1. Guest stay

After having a complete profile and receiving your reservations, key is to give them a great experience. I always try to overachieve their expectations as this will result in happy guests, great reviews, returning guests and even more guests because of the great reviews.

This is what I am doing: try to make people feel welcome in your accommodation. When a person comes to your place assure a great check-in. Confirm arrival time, who is going to check them in, address details or maybe transportation. Try to surprise them by adding something personal from the Dominican Republic, a personal welcome letter, sweets or a bottle of wine could make a big difference in their first impression.

During the stay keep in contact with your guest to verify that everything is going perfect, be there for them. When checking-out make them feel welcome back and always try to receive as much feedback as possible to improve. Assure your write a constructive review, so they will write you a review back.

1. Prices

Having competitive prices is key. Just take a look around on Airbnb to similar properties in your area who are highly ranked in the search, try to match their rates. Once you have a great profile and good reviews you could eventually higher the price when you are getting enough reservations to fill up the whole month.

Also keep in my mind that you offer specific prices per day, week and month. The longer a guest stays often the better the rate should be to be competitive in the market. Also keep in mind that prices may vary regarding the season. In the Dominican Republic, winter is in most places high season and summer low season. It is advisable to adjust your prices accordingly.

1. Availability

Try to keep your calendar up to date so you won’t have to tell potential guests that your property is already booked. To get more reservations you can turn on direct reservations, in this case people could book directly without having to request if the apartment is available first.

I hope that the above advice helps you to get more reservations. If you have any questions, then feel free to ask me. 

Saludos,

Jennifer

Please find my properties here: [link removed]

[Kirstie · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jennifer4,

This is a great guide! Thanks so much for sharing :). 

We have now added it to our list of Community Help Guides!

Kirstie

[Dev4 · Accepted solution]

@Jennifer4

Good post and great advice! I feel that you have build a stellar reputation on Airbnb with over 100 reviews. If I was a guest, I wouldn't even think once before booking with you. 

I host in Toronto, where Airbnb is a fierce market and highly seasonal due to the four seasons that we see each year. Its tough to keep higher occupancy in the winter months. Also, if you a new host who is learning and building a reputation on the platform than things are more difficult. In addition to the points you mentioned, I would suggest that:

1. Know your guests - Airbnb is a business and in any business you have to know who your customer is. The more specific you are, the better you will get at pricing, guest satisfaction and anticipating problems that guests will eventually bring to your attention.

2. Listing description - once you know your guests, decorate your space keeping the preferred guests in mind. Write the desciption so that it appeals to that segment.

3. Contantly upgrade your property - set asisde a budget to put money on your listing. If you want to remain competitive and earn good reviews, then you have to regularly improve your offering so that the next guest is happier than the previous one.

Regards,

Casadell 

[Tran10 · Accepted solution]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for your great word. I am very happy to learn about your sharing.

Hope to hear more your experience.

Best Regards,

Hung

[May63]

Bwanaz!!

[Edgardo12]

1)How do you prevent banned guest  or guest you are not comfortable dealing  with in your past experiences from getting a booking in your  unit ,when they all need to do is just have to sneak to your unit as an unregistered occupant from airbnb and not using their blocklisted name while registering the booking to  the accompanying guest instead as air bnb gets only the booking from any paying guest.

2)How do you prevent guest from taking items from you unit such as remote controllers,keys,personal items they would like to take home without your knowledge?

[Allan-C-0]

@Jennifer4, Thank you for sharing such great information!

Tawanna

[Cesar120]

wow thanks for your tips really helpful

[Layla7]

Thanks for the sharing, Jen. For me, the communication/fast interaction with guests is alsways on the top-priority. Keep moving!

[Elizabeth610]

Thanks. My first Airbnb experience was actually staying in a similar apartment in the middle of Santa Domingo, where there are no toursists and I went to try to learn Spanish and Merengue!! However, that was really really hard.. and we ended up using Google Translate to talk to Taxi drivers!!  The apartment was clean and modern . The main problem was finding the Apt Building... because where we were going was quite congested and with lots of hidden streets. The Taxi did not have GPS nor did we.. we just knew the general area. It was wild!  But there were Uber drivers everywhere which we also used later) Love the people and the city!  Sounds like you would be a fantastic host for next time!

[Debbie263]

I have just started B@B a month ago When I started I got 3 bookings immediately but it had the first three get 20% off. Now that I have normal price I haven’t got anyone for 2 weeks. What do I do to consistently get bookings. I am getting despondent.

thanks

Debbie 

[Alfred42]

Good read. Please help me in reviewing my listing. Thanks.

https://abnb.me/n24122no2M

[Carolyn230]

Thanks Jennifer for that information. As a new Host I find this very helpful. I have been lucky enough to find my home booking out quickly. I think it is because we have kept the price down. The more information the better. If anyone reads this, please look at how I have presented the property and I would appreciate any feedback or tips.

Thanks

[My-Hanh0]

Thank a lot Mss. Jennifer 

[Lorie7]

Thanks for the tips, Jennifer.  Your place looks beautiful!

[Peter906]

Hi,

Get more bookings for your airbnb by following airbnb host tips

Pay attention to following Airbnb ranking factors

Response time-Respond quickly to inquiries to get better ranking in search results

Instant booking- This function improves the response time which in turn boost overall Airbnb ranking

High quality images–Put High quality images on your listing and have more of it

Reviews- large number of reviews will boost your ranking

Complete listing-Fill all information in your listing

Name of attraction & places- Include name of nearby attraction or places in headline of listing and repeat it in description also

5 star reviews-More 5 star reviews, better ranking position in Airbnb listing

Frequent login-If you login frequently, you can improve your rankings .Login daily and spend time on your listing to boost the ranking

Descriptive & updated listing-Guests will look for accurate and high quality listings. If they see your listing in search result and it boost your ranking performance in future as well

[An-Exclusive-Estate-In-C0]

Hello everyone I am new to Airbnb as a host I'm a bit frustrated becauselack of bookings can someone please take a look at my listing and let me know if there's anything better that I can do or provide any suggestions

[Stephen448]

I was away for 6 months and was not able to host any guests now my rating and exposure on site map has pretty well vanished

they tell me to get more guests but will not restore where my listing was 6 months Ago

any suggestions

[Tram7]

I'm new here, your tips are so helpful for me. Thank you so much,Jen.