Critique my listing - Islam, Almaty, Kazahkstan

[Muslim4]

Hello fellows!

I am a newbie host here on Airbnb. My apartment is in a good area of Almaty (Kazakhstan), in the city center. Cozy and pretty nice.
I listed it a couple of weeks ago, set the reasonable price, but there were no reservations. So, I needed to lower the price till the AirBnb minimum limit to get my first reservation. I would like to ask you to take a look at it and provide me with the comments/recommendations on how to make it more attractive.

Here is it:  https://airbnb.com/h/apartment-in-almaty-center

[Phil3566]

The photo of you looks nice though you might consider a more interesting background.  You have a nice smile.  Warm.

[Phil3566]

Hi Almaty - I just read all the responses to you and they're all being very kind.  Is that what you want?  I don't think so.  You need to be told without all the sugar.  Your pictures look unprofessional, your colors are drab, things like your floor mat and chairs are askew.  The curtains need to let in as much natural light as possible.  Turn on the TV to show what apps are available.  Where are pictures of the kitchen and bathroom and the outside areas and what the building looks like??  No offense intended.  Phil

[Aliya142]

Hi @Muslim4 , 

I am also new to Airbnb, your apartment is nice! I see you already have good reviews on your apartment.

Can you please advise me how did you set up payout?

there are only 2 options: 1) interntional wire transfer - which leads to a broken website, 

2) payoneer - but I am not sure whether it works fine in Kazakhstan.

Thank you!

[Juliet685]

I think you can update your decor with vibrant colors and make the space appealing. In addition, the space looks too cramped. From my experience, people love great designs as well as the right pricing.

[Mariann4]

There are no pictures of the beds. Where is the bedroom and what does the beds look like?

[Muslim4]

That couch (with pillows on it) acts as a bed during a night. It is a sofa during a day. There's also another sofa there that can transform into a double bed. 😊

[Mariann4]

You need to show this with pictures

[Muslim4]

You mean like a ready made bed?

[Helen3]

Yes you need to show both beds made up so guests can understand where they are sleeping.

Also caption your photos so guests understand what they are seeing.

Don't price at the Airbnb minimum. Look at what similar properties in your location are charging @Muslim4 

[Muslim4]

I took and added a picture of a ready made bed. That couch can be transformed into double size bed too. Should I take a picture of double sized as well? The sofa can also have 2 people sleeping. Should I specify 4 possible guests in my listing in this case? The apartment itself is quite small, 29 sq.m.

[Muslim4]

Regarding the price, I set quite reasonable price at first, however Airbnb price suggestion was to set it to the minimum. I don't know why. For Smart Price feature turned on it also recommends setting $10 - $28 (or same in euro).

What price am I supposed to set then? Should I follow their recommendations?

[Mark116]

@Muslim4  Airbnb always wants you to list for the lowest possible price.  Check around your area for other similar listings and see what they are charging and how their availability is, and use that as a guide.

Your photos seem a little dark and I would consider maybe removing the throw pillows or getting some that all coordinate for a little more polished look.  Good luck!

[Muslim4]

I have a couple of those Pietro Fornasetti pillows. How about placing them there?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Muslim4 to check your price go onto Airbnb as a guest and search for similar properties in a similar location to your listing.

Only you will have the local knowledge to do this comparison. Do make sure you can see your listing (as a guest) to understand how big a service fee Airbnb adds to your nightly prices.

[Muslim4]

I took a look at the map. You are right, my listing looks suspiciously inexpensive for that area. I've no idea why AirBnb insists on setting the minimal price. I think it would be reasonable to set it only slightly cheaper than other properties nearby.

[Muslim4]

Got it, thanks. Interesting. Never even thought about that.

[Lala89]

For starters, it is completely blocked out for me. No dates are available. Check your calendar settings to make sure guests can actually book. 

[Muslim4]

Yes, I know. I blocked it, because I don't like early reservations. I have opened ten days for February now.

[David9619]

Airbnb uses an algorithm to rank your listing when potential guests search for a place to stay.  By blocking so many dates, you are doing a few things that negatively affect your ranking in the search.  First, you are getting a low ranking by the algorithm because Airbnb likes to promote listings that will have more availability.  Second, you are limiting your listing from being seen by any travelers that aren't specifically looking ONLY for the dates you have open on your calendar.  This means nobody sees your listing.  Nobody clicks on your listing.  This causes the algorithm to give your listing an even lower ranking in the search.  This is a self-perpetuating negative spiral. 

Since yours is a new listing, you should be taking advantage of the "boost" that airbnb gives to all new listings.  Open up your calendar as far into the future as you can.  I would say 3 months at a minimum.

Also retake any of your photos that aren't brightly lit.

Good luck!