Newbie feedback needed😊 (listing feedback)

[Linda4721]

Hi there, 

We have thought hard and long  about opening our family home in Goa to guests. It’s been a tough one but have finally listed it and now hoping for the right guests who will love and respect our home as much as we do 😊

I am aware that more needs to be done and better photos need to be uploaded, but we would love your initial response to our listing. 
Thank you so much.

Lin

[Karen4131]

Hi @Linda4721 

From a guest's perspective, I am really happy that you have chosen to list your house on Airbnb. It's simply the dream of Goa or India for a tourist!

I backpacked in Goa when I was younger and stayed uncomfortably in a bungalow on the beach 🙂 But if I were to return now as a "much older" person :-), your house would be exactly what I would choose for my family and myself. The photos sell themselves very well. It looks luxurious, clean, and inviting.

Of course, you could consider taking some pictures in full sunlight with lots of blue sky, but there is also something special about the slightly misty monsoon atmosphere that makes the place attractive, so keep a few of them. - However, I hear you are already considering updating your photos, which sounds great, and using one of these as a cover photo, as I think they would sell really well.

There are, however, many other things you should consider if you want to ensure that your listing appears among the first when people search on Airbnb in your area. If you're interested in me going into more detail about this, reply to this thread, and I'll elaborate further.

There may also be more good suggestions for optimization from the community in the coming days.

Best regards,
Karen

[Linda4721]

Hi Karen😊Thank you so much for this feedback. It is very encouraging and helpful. Yes.. we have stayed in some very interesting places in India over the years😅
Yes please to any other advice you may have. 
Thank you so much.

Linda

[Karen4131]

Hello again @Linda4721 

The first thing I do is check how a listing ranks compared to other similar listings in the area. It’s crucial to aim for a spot on the first few pages of the 25 pages and 300 listings that Airbnb shows for any given search. Currently, your listing is being boosted because it’s “*New,” but this boost doesn’t last forever, so it’s something to keep in mind in the long run. (And it’s something you have a lot of control over if you work strategically on it.)

Firstly, I’d like to reiterate that your family property has all the potential to become a great success because it truly “has it all.” Architecturally, it’s a fantastic house with a sleek, luxurious interior, a pool, etc., so you just need to understand what will ensure a good position on Airbnb in the long term. I have put together a list of key points to consider below:

1. Cancellation Policy: I see you’ve chosen a strict cancellation policy, which is reassuring for hosts as it secures bookings. However, guests on Airbnb, Hotels.com, etc., have become accustomed to the flexibility of canceling closer to the arrival date. Many guests hesitate to book a place with a strict cancellation policy. Airbnb's search algorithm takes this into account, so having a strict policy might negatively impact your ranking.
   
   

2. Instant Booking: I'm not sure if you’ve enabled "Instant Booking," but if not, consider doing so. Airbnb offers an option where only guests with good reviews can book instantly, while others must request to book. This is also said to improve your ranking.
   
   

3. Photos: Your photos should be high-resolution, bright, and of the real estate quality you often see in property listings. Your current photos are already attractive, partly because your place is so appealing. However, I would suggest brightening them up, hiring a professional photographer to retake them, and ensuring that 75% are taken on bright, sunny days. Also, make sure to include captions and visual descriptions for all your photos.
   
   

4. Description: It’s said that the Airbnb algorithm favors longer descriptions. Make sure to fill out all the sections, including "Listing Description," "Your Property," "Guest Access," and "Other Details," which together form the description guests see. Ensure you complete ALL fields in the Airbnb listing panel. This can give you a ranking advantage.
   
   

5. Pricing: In the beginning, it’s very smart to price slightly below the market level, both to rank higher on Airbnb and to attract guests who can leave 5-star reviews. Once you start receiving good reviews, you can begin to raise the price to market level and eventually above if you’re doing exceptionally well. Consider using Airbnb’s option to create special offers as well—this can also boost your listing’s visibility.

These are five important tips. If you really want to dive deep into how to improve your visibility on Airbnb, try Googling “How to beat the Airbnb search algorithm” or something similar. There are plenty of great suggestions on how to improve your listing, and it’s worth the effort since not everyone takes these steps. This will give you a competitive edge.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions. I’m a relatively new host myself, but I’ve managed to rank highly and receive excellent reviews by researching how to “do everything right” on Airbnb. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this continues, but I’ve been surprised at how much you can influence your success with the right strategies.

Best of luck with everything!

Best regards,
Karen