Critique my listing: Lillevik Lofoten, Gimsøy, Lofoten, Norway

[Christian733]

Hello! Our house has been on AirBnb for 2+ years: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/44385543 

An agency (lofotenvacation.com) manages everything for us, and I think they use Lodgify to sync between AirBnb, Booking.com and their own website. The agency has done a great job updating all the amenities, but I am interesting in improving the listing further. If someone has suggestions or tips, that's much appreciated. 

I'm also a bit curious of the number ion beds. There are 4 bedrooms, and three of them sleeps two each, and the last one has a bed that's 140 cm (55 in) wide. Because of this the listing says 7 persons, not 8 - although 8 is possible. Should we keep it at 7, and potentially loose some bookings, or change to 8 and risk that someone has to cuddle up, and be unhappy with that..?

We plan to update the images. There are quite a lot now, and I suspect it's a bit over the top. 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Christian733 

Went onto your listing and the first few pictures are out of this world but then saw that there were 114 photos, you did warn us I know but that's a lot Christian🤣!!!!  That must be a record I think and as much as I would like to give you suggestions, I really don't have the time to go through all of those photos and neither will your guests and I fear they will give up and pick another listing instead.

So maybe start by selecting the ones that you think best highlight your place and imagine going through the house showing someone round and then come back here for a listing critique😊

Interesting question on the bed size (140)  as I have a bed that size too for my 2 bedroom listing and I market the apartment for 4 people but I always double check with my guests that they have seen the bed size when 4 have booked as some might find it a bit too small but so far, no-one has said anything🤞 Here in France it's a common size but not so in other countries I believe.

All the best
Joëlle

[Billy-and-Susan0]

Beautiful pictures!  

while I love all of the scenery pictures that is not what I’m looking for when I am looking on Airbnb for a place to stay! I think it’s nice to have a few to tease with the experience may be like but don’t take away my adventure by showing me everything.

When I’m looking for a home, I want to know what the inside looks like in detail! I also want to know what the setting is. So I definitely would call out all of the sightseeing pictures and just put a few to tease your guest in what they may experience but allow them to experience it when they get there!

As far as the number of beds goes, you can always list it as eight and then underneath your pictures, put your explanations on it. Also, in your written portion, just make sure you explain clearly that it’s a small cuddling bed and may be only good for a child. Communication is key on your listing so that your guest will not have any surprises. So as long as you point that out clearly I think you will be fine to listen to this eight and draw those in who are looking for eight but then allowed them to read and look at the pictures and decide if it fits the size of their family and Guest

Again and it is a beautiful listing and I believe with a few tweaks, you will draw in more and more people who will want to come visit.

Huge blessings

[Kia272]

@Christian733  At a minimum, use the Captions feature with the photos. Right now, they appear with the electronic data of digital photos, and nothing more. That's just plain sloppy. 

Captions allow you to describe what is pictured, and give it some context. 

Example: Viewing the Northern Lights from the barn

Example: Bedroom #1- Queen bed, en suite bathroom, down comforter

This option gives guests a lot of information. Definitely reduce the number of photos in the listing, and try to order them in a way that makes sense. 

Your place looks absolutely AMAZING and I would love to stay there any time. 

[Christian733]

Thanks for the tip @Kia272 . As mentioned, it’s our agency that manages the Airbnb listing. I think they use Lodgify to sync AirBnb, Booking.com and their own website. I suspect their system does not handle image captions. I’ll check with them. 

[Kia272]

@Christian733 You're welcome. I get that the agency is using a third party software, but you or they should be able to edit this directly on the AirBnB site. 

So it's not a matter of whether the software is compatible or not, by virtue of the fact that the listing is on AirBnB, you or they can edit the pictures and insert captions. 

By the way, I hope you still have access to the listing. It's never a good idea to hand over complete control to a management agency. You should still be the primary host and they should be co-hosts/managers.

It's killing me right now, actually. Your place is so freaking gorgeous, I feel like if you tie up some loose ends, it will take it to another level. I hope to be able to stay there some day. 

[Carol-Beatrice-Huguette0]

Bonjour Christian,

Vos photos sont superbes et facile et rapide à visualiser. Plus vous montrez de photos et plus les voyageurs apprécient, cela peut éviter des confusions ou déception. J'ai parcouru vos 103 photos en moins de 10 secondes. Fiez-vous à vos voyageurs, eux seuls pourront vous donner un réel avis sur l'annonce, le descriptif et le visuel.

Pour ce qui est du couchage, un lit 140 peut accueillir 2 personnes, vous pouvez à la rigueur préciser dans le descriptif "jusqu'à 8 personnes".  J'ai une capacité de 8 couchages et aprfois les voyageurs me demandent si une personne supplémentaire peut être autorisée. Vous n'avez qu'à tester et vous verrez bien les retours. L'essentiel est d'être franc, honnête envers les voyageurs. Il n'y a pas de raison qui pourrait empêcher de louer votre magnifique maison au coeur de magnifiques paysages.

Je me permets de vous mettre dans mes favoris en cas de voyage prévu dans votre pays, je serai ravie d'y séjourner.

Bonne continuation à vous et au plaisir d'échanger !

Carol N.

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Hello Christian,

Your photos are superb and easy and quick to view. The more photos you show, the more travelers appreciate it, this can avoid confusion or disappointment. I looked through your 103 photos in less than 10 seconds. Trust your travelers, only they can give you a real opinion on the ad, the description and the visual.

As for sleeping, a 140 bed can accommodate 2 people, you can specify in the description "up to 8 people". I have a capacity of 8 beds and sometimes travelers ask me if an additional person can be authorized. You just have to test and you will see the feedback. The main thing is to be frank, honest with travelers. There is no reason that could prevent you from renting your magnificent house in the heart of magnificent landscapes.

I would like to add you to my favorites if I plan to travel to your country. I would be delighted to stay there.

Good luck to you and I look forward to talking to you!

Carol N.

[Google translation added by OCM]

[Paula]

Hello @Christian733, wishing you a great Friday! 😎

Our experienced hosts have shared their advice—have you considered adding captions to your photos? This can certainly help guests gain a better understanding of your listing, as one of our hosts suggested.

Please let us know when you've had a chance to read this.

[Carole1108]

Same response as other people, I am french and in may AirBnb the only 2 persons bed is in 140cm.

Nobody ever complained for that, from american to german-swiss, canadian, brazilian, italian travellers who passed by, the only people who minded asked before renting the place (and they didn't book).

So probably if it is an issue people are careful enough to double check, aren't they ?