Critique my listing - Harald from Ålesund, Norway

[Harald184]

I am not getting any views at all, and I do not understand why? Just listed it a week ago, but it was listed last summer as well, and almost no people entered. 

 

https://www.airbnb.com/l/0oElS09v

[Emiel1]

@Harald184 

Did you check statistics (amount of views) ?

Please note the listing is only available for an experienced guest to book:

[Harald184]

Thank you! I will look into it. 😊

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Harald184 

Oh wow, your villa is absolutely amazing the views are stunning!

You might want to double-check your calendar settings though, as it looks like your minimum stay is currently set to 87 day for March which could be limiting shorter bookings.

[Harald184]

Thank you! I have tried to change this now, and hope I have done it correctly.

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Harald184 

I just checked your calendar and noticed that your minimum stay for March is set to 4 nights, which is fine if that’s your preference. However, from April onwards, your calendar is only open for 87 nights ahead. This can significantly limit your visibility, as many guests search several months in advance, especially for holidays and peak seasons.

If you’ve decided to keep the 4-night minimum stay, I’d recommend opening your calendar further ideally 6 to 12 months in advance. This will help increase your listing’s exposure, give you more chances to secure advance bookings, and attract guests who plan their trips early. It also helps Airbnb’s algorithm favor your listing since it shows consistent availability.

You can adjust this in your availability settings by extending your booking window while keeping your preferred minimum stay requirement.

[Paula]

Hello @Harald184, congratulations on your beautiful home 😊

I agree with Patricia, the view is absolutely stunning.

While other hosts come and share their suggestions, have you had a chance to read Patricia and Emiel’s comments?

Have you checked the statistics?

Keep us posted.

[Harald184]

Thank you @Paula . I have changed the minimum stay, and will consider Emiel1s comment. Do you think it is critical to change this?

It is strange, but I do not have the option to view statistics, but my wife has. Only 9 saw the listing last 30 days, before last summer I think it was 60, which is low considering Ålesund has a huge amount of visitors. So I thing something was wrong even back then. But of course, noe it has only been out a week or so, and with the wrong settings.

I will keep an eye on statistics now that I have changed minimum stay. 

[Phil5677]

Doing a little bit of pricing comparison - your property is offered at a significantly higher price than your competition.   In your general area there are a handful of large homes like yours.   The next most expensive is offered 30% less than yours.    Your lack of traction might be the market telling you that you've priced outside of the zone.   

(Your house is absolutely stunning.....but unfortunately in this business that only gets us so far) 

[Harald184]

Thank you @Phil5677 . You are probably right. But even so, only 24 views last 30 days... I think people would at least also look at the more expensive alternatives, to see what is available? 

[Phil5677]

Well.....your property *is* visible (I went to see if I could find it - I could) but the algorithm is a little bit brutal.   It rewards engagement as measured by views, quick conversion to bookings and then positive reviews.   Out of the gate you get a temporary boost as a new listing - but that only lasts a couple of months.    If your AirBnB measured engagement is low after that.....you get buried in the back pages.

**Also remember that you are offering a LARGE PROPERTY.    The average number of guests per short term rental booking is somewhere around 3~4 guests.   As your property seems to be priced on 9.....those lower guest bookings will pass you by at that price point.    Have you thought about setting the price considerably lower, but with a base occupancy of 4 guests (for example) and then set an extra guest fee to get you up to your higher price point for those larger bookings?      At the end of the day.....this game is mostly about occupancy.   Nobody makes money on an empty house.  

The good news is that if you make *significant* changes to your listing (description and pricing and pictures) your property will be treated similarly to a new listing again.   

[Mariann4]

Hei @Harald184 

Du har fremdeles minimum 87 netter booking fra april. Da vil du ikke dukke opp i søk for de færreste vil søke på 87+ netter i Ålesund.

Du dukker bare opp i søk om du er tilgjengelige for perioden gjester søker på. Det er ikke lenger mulig å se alle annonser som finnes i et område. Det er med disse innstillingene ikke det minste rart at du bare har 9 visninger.

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Google Translation added by Community Manager:  

Hello @Harald184,

You still have a minimum booking requirement of 87 nights from April. As a result, you won’t appear in search results, since very few people are likely to look for stays of 87+ nights in Ålesund.

You’ll only show up in searches if you’re available for the period that guests are looking for. It is no longer possible to see all listings that exist in a particular area. Given these settings, it’s hardly surprising that you’ve had only 9 views.

[Bec3748]

Hi @Harald184 You have absolutely stunning views… that sunset shot alone should be doing the heavy lifting for you. At the moment though, the title and description feel quite understated compared to what the property actually offers.

Your title is prime real estate. Instead of “Large villa with spectacular views,” I’d lean into what makes this scroll-stopping.

Something like:

“Panoramic Fjord Sunsets | Sea Eagle & Seal Views | Spacious Family Villa near Ålesund”

You want guests to immediately picture themselves on that terrace watching the sun drop into the water.

In the description, rather than listing features in a practical way, I’d bring the experience forward. Talk about morning coffee overlooking the fjord, long Nordic summer evenings on the terrace, spotting porpoises from the lounge, and being close enough to town yet surrounded by forest and wildlife. The views are your hero but right now they’re mentioned, but they’re not selling.

This is one of those listings where stronger storytelling could significantly increase click-through and booking appeal.