Critique My Listing – Paras | Rishikesh, India (2)

[Paras45]

Hey everyone! 👋

(Note suggestions are welcomed from everyone) 

I recently listed my 2nd Unit (Read - blood, sweat and tears literally), Shankar Bhawan, in Rishikesh, and I'd love some feedback from experienced hosts. My goal is to maximize bookings, enhance the guest experience, and make my listing stand out.

With the changed UI & UX i am not feeling confident, can someone who has 2 listing under same place help me here, also the name should i keep it identical, please help me here i am already for baffled for this ever since the new update.

About My Stay:

Located in the heart of Rishikesh (market area itself), near Triveni Ghat (where the main Ganga Aarti happens).

🚶‍♂️ Just 2 minutes from the main road—not inside narrow lanes.

🛏️ Clean, cozy, and well-maintained rooms with comfortable bedding ( 2 rooms in a studio style if i can say that, living area and a Master bathroom which is also a unpack area/ dressing area - 550 Sq Ft. (or more approx).

What I’d Love Feedback On:

✔️ Listing Photos – Do they look inviting? Any suggestions for improvement?
✔️ Pricing & Value – Does my pricing seem competitive? Should I offer any additional perks?
✔️ Description & Amenities – Is my listing clear, engaging, and informative enough?
✔️ First Impressions – What’s your overall take on my listing? 

& Most importantly - Would you stay ?? 

I’d really appreciate any suggestions to boost bookings and guest experience. Thanks in advance for your time and insights! 😊

Here’s my listing link: airbnb.co.in/h/shankar-bhawan-2rstudio

(Please copy & paste the URL if it doesn't redirects)

Our stay also features a in-house temple, creating a peaceful and positive atmosphere. While we don’t actively promote it, guests are welcome to experience the serene space at their own comfort.

Best,
Paras

[Paras45]

@Bhumika @Joelle43 @Robin4 @Alex Can I please have some help here from those who have 2 listing's, Big-Thanks!

(Posting when i having issues is difficult and onboarding felt so different this time, not even sure if it's live yet)

[Paras45]

https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/1426912228091942303?source_impression_id=p3_1748240991_P3sjrywuzjapoq...

[Frances3408]

@Paras45. Hi Paras, Ok here are a few ideas/suggestions:

1. Remove the word studio-you have a 2 bed apartment, but make it clear no cooking facilities as breakfast is provided. Try "Heritage Apartment B&B By Shankar Bhawan" if those help location searches. Add pets welcome if wording permits. Take a pic of breakfast provided. Fix category.

2. Change "Room" to "Private Suite B&B By Shankar Bhawan" so people can assume there is an attached bathroom in title. again emphasise no cooking but breakfast provided. Fix category.

3. Too many interior pics as my Gen Z would say so aim to cull 50% by removing similar ones. Get your own rooftop pic done and include in the first 5; better to look like you live in the area so add a few outdoor tourist locations nearby. Take a pic of breakfast provided.

I cant really suggest if pricing is right: you need to do your own research on what your competitors incl hotels are offering so its not a sit and forget. But I think host cooked breakfast and pet friendly are plusses. 

Good luck.

[Paras45]

Hi ma’am, thank you so much, truly, for taking the time to go through my listing and share such thoughtful inputs.

It really means a lot to me. Your suggestions have been very meaningful and helpful, and I’m genuinely grateful you took the effort to guide me. @Frances3408 

It took me a little while to implement everything step by step, as I’ve had quite a bit on my plate, but I believe I’ve now covered most of the points you mentioned:

1. I’ve updated the listing name and clearly mentioned that there is no kitchen. I’ve already uploaded food photos on my other listing, and I’ll be taking fresh ones for this unit soon once I get the chance to shoot them properly.
   
   
2. The unit type has been changed, and I’ve made sure the private, attached washroom is clearly shown and mentioned in both the photos and the description.
   
   
3. I’ve removed around 15 interior photos and re-shot some to keep the set cleaner and more intentional. Also added rooftop and nearby area photos to help guests get a better feel of the place.

On pricing, I’ve been adjusting it to reflect that this isn’t just a standard room, but a thoughtfully put-together space with a living area, bedroom*2, and spacious washroom that offers more than a typical hotel setup.

Thank you once again for your time and kindness. I truly appreciate the support and look forward to improving further based on your feedback. www.airbnb.co.in/p/shankar-bhawan 

[Frances3408]

Hi @Paras45 . Changes look great, so well done! I agree with @Joelle43 still need to change 2 bed from Suite to Home. Its ok if its shared with other listing in some areas, just tick those areas. otherwise go full whole of house category if no shared spaces.

Is picture 36 of your building? If so, I'd put it in your first 5 as it really shows the character you are seeking and other guests have already noted. I really like the entry shots as well: helps guests to know they turned up to the right place.

All the best.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Paras45 👋

Congratulations on your second listing! 🎉 You said it was blood, sweat and tears - what made it such hard work? 

Let's tag some other experienced hosts who may be able to stop by: @Nash-Cottages-LLC0, @Angela3583 and @Kate-And-Mitch0 - What do you think to Paras' second listing? Is there anything that needs to be improved to help with bookings? 

I wondered if you'd seen this article too @Paras45: Make your listing more competitive - it might throw some new ideas out there! 

I hope this helps! 😍

[Joelle43]

Hello @Paras45 

Sorry I didn't reply sooner but see that you received some great advice from Frances already. Here is what stands out for me when I view your listing as a guest:

==>The word studio is still showing up in the title so you really need to upgrade that to a 2 bed suite.  The word studio is also mentioned in the description so again, change that.

==>What size is this second bedroom as you describe it as a "mini-bedroom" which makes me think I could be coming to a bedroom the size of a cupboard and yet you can fit a Queen bed?🤣

==>There is apparently a mountain view and a terrace?  Definitely want to see a picture of that in the first 5 pictures😊  Can I as a guest sit outside and relax?  Is it for my use exclusively or shared with others?  Same floor?

==>NONE of the photos show any windows and all the lights are turned on!  Take new photos during the day with natural lighting showing these windows please Paras.

==>You can measure the strength of the WIFI by going to your listing and in host mode, go onto your listing and then click on Amenities.  Click on WIFI and edit and follow Airbnb's instructions to measure the internet speed.  It will then show up on your listing description.  

==>You give lots of great directions of where the listing is situated in your description but a Google map showing all the nearby landmarks would be even  better!  

==>Not a huge fan of brown bed linen I'm afraid Paras especially matched with a blue quilt cover - not a great combo for me.  However, this may be the norm but personally I prefer white bed linen, like hotels.

==>Too many pictures of the bathroom and it took me a while to find one of the lovely shower.

OK well that's it I think but yes I think you can improve on your photos and maybe shorten your description or use bullet type icons if there is a lot to say.  Take a look at my listing if you want to see what that can look like.

All the best Paras,
Joëlle

[Paras45]

@Joelle43  

Hi Joëlle ma’am,

Thank you so much for taking the time to go through my listing and sharing such detailed feedback. I really appreciate it and I’m sorry for the delay in implementing everything — there’s been a lot on my plate, but I’ve been working on it bit by bit. Frances ma’am’s advice was super helpful, and I’ve already made several changes based on both your inputs.

1. I’ve removed all references to “studio” from the title and description. It now reflects a 2 Bedroom Suite, as suggested - updated the title.
2. Regarding the second bedroom — thank you for pointing that out. I’ve now clarified that it’s a compact but fully functional bedroom with a proper Queen bed.  I’ve made the layout clearer as it’s more cozy but fully functional still little smaller then what we are used so I tried to be transparent by saying mini as compared to the other room.
3. Yes, there is a terrace and a mountain view, and I’ve now added the pictures and all the required details about access and everything.
4. Thank you for pointing out the lighting — I’ve already added some day light pictures showing windows and natural light & also the blinds are recently added given the windows are huge so as an additional add on with curtains.
5. This is still pending on my end tough testing and updating the Wi-Fi speed through Airbnb’s official tool, as I have separate connections to cover the entire area but will get it done.
6. Your suggestion on the Google Map with landmarks is fantastic. I have worked on creating a visual directions documents that clearly marks key locations nearby also the FAQ’s by guest, like the Ganga Aarti spot, main market, and Marine Drive. Added all in additional pictures the real time location GPS.
7. Updated the photos from brown to more vibrant colour— As for the linens the white bedsheets are mainly used in hospitals and guest preferred more homely setup so I took the call to provide the best possible linens with subtle but simple prints so it does not look out of balance, and yes I agree blue on brown was a bad call - but I have added several new better sets hopefully to match the aesthetics in a better manner.
8. I’ve reduced the bathroom photo count and rearranged them hopefully so it’s clear. Fun-fact: the washroom is super spacious almost the same size as the mini room 😄
9. Worked around new description and tried bullet-style icons for easier readability — your listing was great inspiration for that.

Thank you again Joëlle ma’am, I’m truly grateful for all your suggestions. Every little detail helps me elevate Shankar Bhawan step by step. If you have any more feedback down the line, I’d love to hear it.

[Joelle43]

Hello @Paras45 

You've done a great job on your listing and your warm and kind personality permeates throughout your description and it's no wonder that guests love you!  Your description is great - concise and so much easier to read - great job.

You mentioned that you removed all talk of a studio however I found the word studio twice in the description😆 For you, what does a studio conjure up?  You offer two bedrooms so in Europe this wouldn't apply to your set-up so I'm wondering if the word "open plan living" might be appropriate?  Or if that doesn't fit either, maybe just replace the word studio by suite again? 

Where to look?  Under Your stay -1st floor studio style apartment and again way down the description towards the end you say " This studio style floor accommodates up to 6 people"

I see you've included photos of the view from the terrace - great but could you add a photo of the terrace itself Paras?  You may have already done that, but same for the shared courtyard too as this is where guests can park their cars I think?

You mention the two bedrooms - master and then mini bedroom.  That sounds a bit negative to me and as a guest I would like to know how mini is mini!!.  Like you, I have two bedrooms too - a master of 14m2 and another smaller one of 10m2 but the size of the bedrooms is both in my description and again I've added the size of the rooms and bed size in the script that we can add to our pictures.

Talking of pictures, have you taken the pictures in landscape mode or in portrait mode?  Apparently a lot of guests view listings from their phone and it's recommended that we use landscape mode to maximise our photos.  I love what you say about your photos "clicked by me! no filters"  What you see is what you get!  

Wishing the best Paras,
Joëlle