Have an independent review of my listing

[Gaurav11]

I would like to know what are the things you see in my listing that needs to be improved

1. Do pictures look ok (not professionally taken) ? is order of pictures right ? 
2. Is there any amenity missing  ? 
3. Is furniture looking ok or too sparse ? 
4. is listing description too wordy ? Is there something that turns you off about my listing ? 
5. Most people spend just a few seconds/minutes on each listing.  what is the most memorable part of my listing that you would remember if you shop around ? 

Our property is 4 bedroom and most others are 3 bedroom in the area. So mostly it is booked by families spending weekends or weddings in santa barbara. Unfortunately the bookings have dried up. Right now I have only one future booking which is the Christmas week. So I am trying to find out what I can do to improve booking conversion rates.

🏡 View on AirbnbHome in Goleta · ★4.81 · 4 bedrooms · 5 beds · 2 bathrooms

[Andrea6232]

Ciao @Gaurav11 ,

I took a quick look at your listing and it seems to me that you could improve your photos, here are some tips on how to best photograph your home:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/GUIDE-How-to-best-photograph-your-home-with-you...

good luck!

Andrea

[Shelley159]

Hi @Gaurav11 

Your listing comes up on page one when I search Goleta, 12 guests, flexible dates. So it seems for someone looking specifically for your maximum number of guests, the ranking is quite good.

If you want to rank a little higher, free cancellation will be the best place to start. If you then what to do something more, you could drop your price slightly (you don't seem to be too expensive, but it may make a difference relative to other listings).

[Emilie]

Hi @Gaurav11, 

The beach near your listing is gorgeous! Did you get a chance to see the advice Andrea, Shelley and Victor have shared with you already? What did you think?

I wanted to mention a few other hosts who might have more suggestions for you as well: @Peter4379 @Maria22471 @Marcin65 @Jim-and-Caroline0 @Thomas3789, do you have some ideas for Gaurav by any chance?

Thanks everyone 🙂

Emilie

[Maria22471]

Hi @Gaurav11 

I checked out your listing. As you, I always look into ways to improve my listing to making them more appealing! While I’ve primarily hosted studio apartments, I’ve learned a lot about creating listings that resonate with potential guests. But, as you, I'm also struggling to have more booking especially during December and January where is high season in Miami Beach.

Regarding your listing here are my comments:

I would start with the best photo you have to capture attention: maybe your best bedroom, the dining area set for a family meal, or a charming exterior shot. Ensure key features are easy to spot as guests scroll.

As the already mentioned above, it's important to describe on your listing how family friendly your house is. Highlight family-friendly extras like cribs, high chairs, or board games since families are your target guests. If you don’t have these yet, they could be a worthwhile addition.

The furniture looks functional and clean, but consider adding more cozy or decorative touches, like an area rug or some artwork, to make spaces feel less sparse and more homely. A touch of luxury can go a long way.

Finally, regarding your description, emphasize your unique selling points: the 4-bedroom size and its suitability for families. A quick, vivid phrase like “ideal for multi-generational families or wedding groups” could help your listing stand out.

As I do, keep iterating and finding what works for your listing. Keep it up!

[Thomas3789]

Hey @Gaurav11 ,

Love your listing! I would reiterate lots of what @Maria22471 stated and add a few other points: 

1. Hero Photo: You currently have a pretty picture but it doesn't tell you much about the property itself.  I would find a first picture that more highlights your property.
2. Property Description: I would more clearly organize your description. It was a little hard to sift through some of the details. Make a guest who is quickly skimming your property to find the necessary information smoothly. 
3. Special "Picture" in your first 5 photos: One major thing I love to do is to highlight the guest experience. I love adding a "picture" that lays out one of the best guest comments regarding the property or my hosting. Since you are a Guest Favorite, you must have some good comments. Copy and paste onto a catchy photo (like the beach picture you have listed) and market the guest experience!

Happy hosting!

[Hasan170]

Merhabalar, Jeopolitik ve dünyada giderek ekonomik durumların insanları tatil gibi harcamalarını ertelemesini neden olduğunu düşünüyorum size tavsiyem az da olsa fiyatlar biraz indirin belki faydası olur 

Saygılarımla 

Google Translation added by Community Manager:  

Hello, I think that geopolitical and increasingly economic situations in the world cause people to postpone their expenses such as holidays. My advice to you is to lower the prices a little, maybe it will help.

Kind regards 

[Gualtiero7]

Do you use dynamic pricing? If not, It's time to start. I use Beyond Pricing and it works ok for me. That said, December and January are slow months for most people (including myself).

[Robert8659]

Your photos aren't bad, but I do agree that they could be improved. One thing I have done that has had success is pricing based on occupancy. Lower the price to book if the guest total is 5 or less guests and add a per guest per night charge for guests above that. This lets you compete with smaller properties at a more competitive price point while still being available for those bigger groups. You don't need to make a huge reduction, 5%-10% can make a big difference in your bookings. Offering a 5 night booking discount is a good idea to capture guests that are booking for more than just the weekend. 

[Drew80]

Good morning from Colorado!

I would definitely recommend a professional photographer take some new pictures for you... in my area that is between $300-$600 depending on the artist. Prior to the photoshoot, stage the house with fresh linens, flowers, etc. The photographer might also have some staging ideas, i.e. where to move furniture around. NOTE: get a real estate photographer - shooting houses is much different than a portrait shoot!

To me, your main photo (pic of flowers - I think roses? I'm not a green thumb) doesn't put your best foot forward. Once you have the professional photos done, I'd figure out which is your best "wow" picture and use that as your main picture. That's what people remember most as they are looking around (or at least what I remember the most!).

Your amenities show there is not a washer available. That could be a detractor for many, especially considering you have 4 rooms (i.e. families with kids). Not sure if it is possible to add a washer or not, but that is something that I personally look for while traveling with my wife and 4 kids.

For dried-up bookings, have you considered using the discount tool? For example, I randomly picked 2/25 - 2/27... weekdays, no major holidays, nothing special about those days. $406/night seems high to me, but adding a 20% discount should show me it's normally $406 but for those nights the discount takes me to ~$320/night. 

For what its worth, your cleaning fee is very reasonable.

Best of luck!

D

[Danielle513]

Your space could use some warmth and character.  I'd buy indoor plants and hang some artwork that speaks to the local geography or character of your city / town.  Guests enjoy cultural immersion and feeling part of the community they're visiting. Santa Barbara has such a rich history you'll have no difficulty finding relevant decor in and around the area.

Hope this helps!

[Hayley185]

Hello Gaurav11 

Just a few suggestions, from taking a quick look at your listing. It really does come down to styling and photography. This can be done on a very cheap budget. I would suggest popping some throws and cushions with a styling theme, to the story that best suits teh character of your home. 

I think you may have pre revonation photos? I would keep the photos minimal, and clean.  I would style, place a little larger furniture that fills the space more outdoors. Present the towels a little mor e uniform, even rolled on beds is a good display of towels. Possibly some additional cushions on teh beds.  WIth professional photos with the right lighting your listing will look much lighter and calmer, displaying your story and vibe for the home. Reach out if you wish to know more. Hope this helps. Best of luck.  Hayley 

[Emilie]

Hi @Gaurav11, 

You've received quite a lot of feedback now from other hosts, did you get a chance to review it? It would be great to hear which ideas you implement, if any, and how it goes. 🙂

A big thank you to everyone as well for your suggestions, it's lovely to see our community helping each other. ⭐

Have a lovely day, 

Emilie

[Diana2792]

It's about the price.........what is equivalent in the area renting for.......lower your price.

[Doniell3]

Hello!  I would first say that you need a really eye-catching cover photo. The main photo I see is the one with the flowers, and while the flowers are pretty, you want to invite people into the space with the first photo they see on your listing.  

I would also recommend professional photos, or some high quality iPhone photos like another commenter mentioned.  Wide angle, open those blinds, let in as much natural light as you can, and brighten up the photos.  

For the description, I would recommend putting the most desirable facts of your listing on the very top line.