Hardly any bookings since June 2024. One this month for two nights. What is the problem?

[Marisa182]

In June I had a full calendar, since then, hardly any bookings. I'm wondering if somethings is wrong with my place, or are people just not traveling?

[Shelley159]

Hi @Marisa182 

SInce you're at 4.97 over almost 200 reviews, I think we can safely rule out the "is something wrong with my place" part!

My next stop was to check if you're perhaps not ranking well in search results, but you're actually showing in second position for me in University Park, flexible dates, 1 guest.

Of course, your competition will show up in more searches as your limit is 1 guest, so that takes you out of many potential bookings. But this is not something that has changed since June. Also, I want to say you should try free cancellation to rank better, but I'm not sure this will help much if your ranking is high anyway.

Your price does seem to be on the high-ish end compared to other listings that are not an entire apartment or entire house. Usually you'll get punished for this in search results, but I wonder whether guests are perhaps seeing you, but thinking the price is a bit high? With your star rating it's not unreasonable to charge your price, but if I were you I'd spend some time clicking around other listings in the area to get a feel for whether, and by how much, I could drop my price to resuscitate bookings. Let's hope a small decrease will make a big difference?

[Marisa182]

@Shelley159   Thank you so much Shelley for your excellent suggestions. I have checked out some of the other Airbnb offerings in my neighborhood, and yes, they are a bit less, but I feel that my entire small apartment,

which, by the way, when a guest enters by a separate entrance they are always surprised at how roomy the space is, and how well it is set up with a large desk for guest who come for work reasons. Most of my guests, about 95%, I think, do come for work related reasons at the university which is close by, and a few returning guests book to spend time with family in my neighborhood, but prefer to have their own accommodations.

I can't, by law, chance the one guest rule, but also by choice, it has worked out so well for me since I opened up my home to guests. In the new year if the guest scarcity doesn't improve, I will have to make some changes. Thanks again, Shelley,

Best regards, and happy holidays!

[Rebecca]

Hello @Marisa182 👋

@Shelley159 has given you some wonderful advice here. I wanted to pop by to share an article from the Help Center that may give you some ideas:

✨ Fill your place faster 

Another great space on the Community Center to pop by would be ✨ Ask about your listing - here, you can ask other Hosts to critique your listing, you could be pleasantly surprised at what other people see!

Wishing you the best of luck in the upcoming months and I hope things pick up for you! 🍀

Don't forget to pop back and keep us updated.  

[Marisa182]

Thank you, Rebecca,

You are right, Shelley's advice was awesome, it lifted my spirits and also got me a booking. I will check out Ask bout Your Listing, and see what my fellow host suggest. I am so grateful for all of you. Thank you so much, and have a happy holiday season!

[Rebecca]

@Marisa182, this is so wonderful to hear! Hopefully onwards an upwards! 😍 

[Oksana127]

Hi there @Marisa182 ! It’s always tough when bookings slow down, especially after having a full calendar. Don’t worry – it’s not uncommon for hosts to experience dips, and there are definitely things you can do to turn this around. Here are some tips to help you attract more guests and stand out:

Review Your Pricing
The market can change, so it’s a good idea to check what similar listings in your area are charging. Make sure your price aligns with the competition. You might also consider offering discounts for longer stays or last-minute bookings to appeal to different kinds of travelers.

Refresh Your Listing
Update your photos and description to keep things fresh and appealing. High-quality, well-lit images make a huge difference. Add any new amenities or upgrades you’ve made, and highlight unique features that make your place special.

Boost Your Visibility
Turn on promotions like Airbnb’s Smart Pricing or special deals to improve your search ranking. Also, consider enabling Instant Book to attract more guests who prefer to book quickly.

Encourage Reviews
Guests love to see recent, glowing reviews. If you’ve had past guests, reach out and kindly remind them to leave feedback. Positive reviews can significantly increase your credibility.

Keep Your Calendar Open
Ensure your calendar is updated with plenty of availability. The more open dates you have, the more likely you’ll appear in search results.

Stand Out with Extras
Think about what small touches could elevate the guest experience. Welcome snacks, local recommendations, or even a themed decor can leave a lasting impression and make your listing memorable.

Research Travel Trends
Are there any events, seasons, or trends in your area that might affect travel patterns? Adjust your strategy to fit the current demand – for example, appealing to remote workers or families might help during off-peak times.

Engage with Your Listing
Frequent updates to your description or photos can signal to Airbnb that you’re an active host, which may improve your ranking in searches.

Lastly, don’t get discouraged. Sometimes market shifts or seasonal trends are simply beyond your control, but with a proactive approach, you can make your listing shine and attract more bookings. Best of luck!

[Marisa182]

@Oksana127 

Thank you, Oksana,

I was very concerned because my business was not just slow for a short period, but for almost five months. I kept checking my calendar to make sure I had not blocked dates by mistake. All your points are well taken, and you are right, it is time to review my listing, and perhaps make some changes to the pricing. Your input is very much appreciated. Thank you, and happy holidays!

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

@Marisa182 

Lots of great advice already from other Hosts! The only thing I would add is to add the actual sq footage of the suite to your description since you say guests always comment how large the place is. Something like "entire XXXsqft basement guest suite" or "entire XXXsqft basement apartment.

Photos

I wouldn't show 4 photos of the bedroom as your top 5 photos. You're trying to highlight all the spaces in your listing in those first 5 photos. I would change the photos and perhaps show the outdoor garden space with table (as guests appreciate outdoor space especially in a basement listing), maybe a kitchen photo, living room photo and then bathroom photo. 

Studio?

If the bedroom is in a separate room with a window and door, then technically it's not a "studio". A studio implies it is a listing with the bed in a common area and not separated from the living space. If you actually do have a separate bedroom (it appears you do from photos) I would remove the word "studio" from your description and use the word guest suite or apartment.

[Marisa182]

@Joan2709 

Thank you, Joan, for your valuable suggestions. When I first started on Airbnb, I debated about whether or not to include square footage, it did not seem so important back then, but I now see the benefit of include it. Also there were not many options as to how to describe my rental, and "studio" was better than "whole house" so I went with that and thought the photos would speak for themselves. I do have a separate bedroom with a linen closet, a clothes closet, two windows and two doors with locks, so it is a separate room and really an apartment.

I love your suggestion regarding the photos, and will make those changes first opportunity. I tend not to manage my listing as often as I should, because at some point managing it seemed to have gotten more difficult, but I really like your suggestions and will get on it soon. Many thanks!!