we are the current owners of Wishing Well cottage BN26 5SG, ...
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we are the current owners of Wishing Well cottage BN26 5SG, the previous owner died. we do not have an account set up with Ai...
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Luv your place!
Some suggestions:
Addl Guest Fee
Get rid of it for now. You are trying to get bookings as quickly as possible. Don't add addl fees as guests hate them; especially for a new listing. Once you get at least 10-20 bookings, you can add the addl guest fee back if you like. However, for this small of a listing, I usually suggest my Host clients don't use addl guest fees and just price the listing correctly for the number of guests.
Property Type
I think I would change it to Cottage instead of Barn. Cottage is one of the most popular property types in searches and appeals to a wider target audience. You can say it is a renovated barn in your description somewhere, but I would say "renovated" barn instead of just barn (when was it completed?). If newly renovated, I would emphasis that in the description and that the furnishings are new (if they are). Since it's located on your property, I would call it either a secondary unit/ Guesthouse or Entire Place/Cottage:
Title
I would change your Title. Remove subjective terms and add what is unique about your place. To me, your target would be couples looking for a getaway. Remove the word New as they can see it's new from the Subtitle. The word Cottage is better than "barn":
Current Title
*New* Cosy and Peaceful, Pet Friendly Country Barn
New Title
Quiet Country Cottage w Garden/Fireplace/Pets
or
Peaceful Country Cottage w Garden/Fireplace/Pets
Description
I would at least add the word "renovated" before barn:
Current Description
Suggest New Description
Escape to a quiet, country getaway in this newly renovated brick and flint barn. Newly furnished and fully-equipped kitchen with a private garden area with BBQ.....
Laundry
If you want to attract longer bookings, you need a washer/dryer (or a combo washer/dryer). I would think twice about offering to launder guests clothing for them for free, as you'll find this will become a headache. Can you imagine washing a guests clothing for a month long (or longer) stay? Advise guests them where the closest public laundry is or add a washer somewhere when you can.
Photos
Professional photos are a must these days. I would get those done as soon as possible. They will pay for themselves and generally can be deducted as a business expense. Data shows that Hosts with professional photos make 20% or more revenue than Hosts who don't:
Cover Photo
You need a better cover photo. It should be the best, most unique feature of your property. I would say it is the private garden area, outdoor space. The garden area bushes need trimmed and it's kinda of bare looking. Clean up the landscaping (prune bushes), add a throw on one of the chairs, add some string lights (although you say it's a dark skies area) and add some mugs or wine glasses on the little table. Reshoot the garden photos and also take a twilight photo with all the lights on inside and outside. A professional photographer can help you with that. Due to the setup in the garden, you may need to take the photo from a ladder or have your professional photographer take several drone shots of the exterior both day and twilight.
Photo Captions
I agree with @Andrea6232, all photos need captions. Don't just say "Kitchen" in the caption. Describe what guest can do or enjoy in the space. "Fully-equipped kitchen for easy meal prep". For the garden photo say "Enjoy morning coffee/tea in the private garden and relax and unwind in the evening with a BBQ, then stargaze." Reshoot the fireplace photo with a fire going and caption "get cozy in front of the fireplace with a good book in the evening." You get the idea...
Front Garden
Even though the front garden is a shared space, I would take a photo and add it and then explain in the caption that it is a shared space, but the back garden of the Cottage is private and for guest use only.
Pets
You currently say you accept up to 4 pets? Not sure that is advisable for your size property. I would think a max of 2 pets? You also don't say what type or size of pets in your house rules. A guest can bring any animal they call a pet (including cats, chickens, ferrets) etc. I heard of a Host who had a guest with a "pet chicken" who she let run loose inside the property leaving droppings everywhere. I would make it clear what type of pets you accept. Many Hosts with smaller properties also put a weight limit on the size of dog. Some local jurisdictions have restrictions on certain breeds as well. Many Hosts also stipulate dogs may not be left alone in the lisiting unless in a crate, as some dogs will cause alot of damage due to separation anxiety and/or whine or bark continually. You may also require guests to keep their own dog on a lead when outside since you have a pet also.
Luv your place!
Some suggestions:
Addl Guest Fee
Get rid of it for now. You are trying to get bookings as quickly as possible. Don't add addl fees as guests hate them; especially for a new listing. Once you get at least 10-20 bookings, you can add the addl guest fee back if you like. However, for this small of a listing, I usually suggest my Host clients don't use addl guest fees and just price the listing correctly for the number of guests.
Property Type
I think I would change it to Cottage instead of Barn. Cottage is one of the most popular property types in searches and appeals to a wider target audience. You can say it is a renovated barn in your description somewhere, but I would say "renovated" barn instead of just barn (when was it completed?). If newly renovated, I would emphasis that in the description and that the furnishings are new (if they are). Since it's located on your property, I would call it either a secondary unit/ Guesthouse or Entire Place/Cottage:
Title
I would change your Title. Remove subjective terms and add what is unique about your place. To me, your target would be couples looking for a getaway. Remove the word New as they can see it's new from the Subtitle. The word Cottage is better than "barn":
Current Title
*New* Cosy and Peaceful, Pet Friendly Country Barn
New Title
Quiet Country Cottage w Garden/Fireplace/Pets
or
Peaceful Country Cottage w Garden/Fireplace/Pets
Description
I would at least add the word "renovated" before barn:
Current Description
Suggest New Description
Escape to a quiet, country getaway in this newly renovated brick and flint barn. Newly furnished and fully-equipped kitchen with a private garden area with BBQ.....
Laundry
If you want to attract longer bookings, you need a washer/dryer (or a combo washer/dryer). I would think twice about offering to launder guests clothing for them for free, as you'll find this will become a headache. Can you imagine washing a guests clothing for a month long (or longer) stay? Advise guests them where the closest public laundry is or add a washer somewhere when you can.
Photos
Professional photos are a must these days. I would get those done as soon as possible. They will pay for themselves and generally can be deducted as a business expense. Data shows that Hosts with professional photos make 20% or more revenue than Hosts who don't:
Cover Photo
You need a better cover photo. It should be the best, most unique feature of your property. I would say it is the private garden area, outdoor space. The garden area bushes need trimmed and it's kinda of bare looking. Clean up the landscaping (prune bushes), add a throw on one of the chairs, add some string lights (although you say it's a dark skies area) and add some mugs or wine glasses on the little table. Reshoot the garden photos and also take a twilight photo with all the lights on inside and outside. A professional photographer can help you with that. Due to the setup in the garden, you may need to take the photo from a ladder or have your professional photographer take several drone shots of the exterior both day and twilight.
Photo Captions
I agree with @Andrea6232, all photos need captions. Don't just say "Kitchen" in the caption. Describe what guest can do or enjoy in the space. "Fully-equipped kitchen for easy meal prep". For the garden photo say "Enjoy morning coffee/tea in the private garden and relax and unwind in the evening with a BBQ, then stargaze." Reshoot the fireplace photo with a fire going and caption "get cozy in front of the fireplace with a good book in the evening." You get the idea...
Front Garden
Even though the front garden is a shared space, I would take a photo and add it and then explain in the caption that it is a shared space, but the back garden of the Cottage is private and for guest use only.
Pets
You currently say you accept up to 4 pets? Not sure that is advisable for your size property. I would think a max of 2 pets? You also don't say what type or size of pets in your house rules. A guest can bring any animal they call a pet (including cats, chickens, ferrets) etc. I heard of a Host who had a guest with a "pet chicken" who she let run loose inside the property leaving droppings everywhere. I would make it clear what type of pets you accept. Many Hosts with smaller properties also put a weight limit on the size of dog. Some local jurisdictions have restrictions on certain breeds as well. Many Hosts also stipulate dogs may not be left alone in the lisiting unless in a crate, as some dogs will cause alot of damage due to separation anxiety and/or whine or bark continually. You may also require guests to keep their own dog on a lead when outside since you have a pet also.
