Please critique my listing and space.

[Arthur482]

 Hi. I am new to Airbnb and am wondering about total views of my place. I have had almost 400 views and only a couple bookings. Wondering if there is something you all would do differently.

Fully furnished guest suite in peaceful Weikert - Apartments for Rent in Millmont, Pennsylvania, Uni...

[Sandra4598]

Hi Arthur, congratulations on being a new Airbnb host. I actually love your Airbnb. First, I would consider changing the name of your listing so that when potential guests google listings yours will display more frequently. Are you close to popular locations? You can consider incorporating a popular area into your listing. One last note, you can add a few more touches to make your home more inviting and appealing to potential guests such as flowers/ plants that would compliment your home, area rugs, toaster, coffee maker, display a few coffees on the counter(regular & decaf) snacks  and water for your guests. I hope this information helps. Best wishes with your Airbnb.

[Arthur482]

Thanks @Sandra4598 

You reiterated some other suggestions. I will work to implement them.

  Thank you for your input.

[Kia272 · Accepted solution]

@Arthur482  It's a very nice space. I recommend lowering your capacity to 4 guests. I'm not a fan of two beds in one bedroom, just FYi, and your kitchen table only seats 4. It's a newbie tendency to go for higher guest capacity, but that's not always best.6 guests can put some wear and tear on that small space.

Think about who you are marketing to: Is it a couples' getaway? Fly fisherman's paradise? Small families? Perhaps furnish the second bedroom with two twins that can be joined into a king bed, or just have a queen bed in there. 

 Also, you do need to warm it up and personalize it a bit. Right now it's got a very spartan college dorm vibe to it. Some area rugs, throw pillows, and art on the walls might help. 

Use the Description/About This Space area to go into more detail about the space. Manage guest expectations by being very descriptive, about both the good and the bad. You should also make very clear that you are an on site host. That will deter parties and the sneaking in of extra guests. Guests do not read your entire listing, so emphasize the important stuff over and over in different spots. 

I don't know your area, but $70/night seems awfully cheap for a two bedroom place. Low prices attract bad guests...it's a fact. 

But you've got the basic formula for a very successful AirBnB there. I wish you every success! Kia 

[Arthur482]

Thanks Kia

  I will decorate a bit more. I have some of my artwork in there now but will hang some other items too. I am a minimalist so that shows here.

 I will look over my descriptions as well to see where I can emphasize more over. I was concerned about repetition but will get over that. 

  I will add proximity to the two colleges in description.

 The $70 per night was a suggestion from Airbnb as a promotion for the first guests to help get people in and get reviews.  Think the lower price makes people think there are problems with my unit?

  Thank you for your input.

[Patti-And-Marty0]

Hi @Arthur482 

Love your place. If your area is known for fly fishing, and it seems you are quite an expert and passionate about fly fishing, why not promote your place to other anglers? Both your reviews mention the fishing. Put something "catchy" in the title -pun intended. 🙂  Put together an "insiders guide" (you don't have to give away all of your secrets) and mention it in your write up. You could also promote hiking and biking the same way.

How close are you to the river ? The fire pit photo looks like there is a river in the background?

Cheers

[Arthur482]

Patty and Marty

   Added more in the descriptions about the area.

  Thanks

  Art

[Sangeeta8]

Change the name of your listing to something catchy.

[Arthur482]

Sangeeta

  Changed the title to what I hope is a bit creative.

Thanks

  Art

[Fred13]

Hey @Arthur482  If fly fishing is your passion, obviously by the hanging fly rod/waders on one of your pictures, why not pursue that angle further which your place lends itself so naturally to it by its construction (knotted pine), efficient set-up (fishermen cater to such places) and close location to Penn's Creek, one of Pennsylvania's best freestone rivers. I could see colorful pictures of the wall of trout and fishing action art, a classic fly-tying table, fireside-chat fireplace, etc. etc. You won't be turning off any other types of naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts with this approach, they are similar in nature. An information wall with local relief maps etc to inform where to go and things to do, it would be an attractive addition. Overall, think 'lodge' of fisherman's retreat foremost. Forget what Airbnb suggests, $99 is natural starting point and a title like  'An Angler's Place' may be also.

The photos could use some work: as a general principle 'walk' the visitor through  your place starting on the outside (Fall colors which are gorgeous in your part of the country), then inside showing each feature (just once will do) and then show what local activities are available from your place, with emphasis on Penn's Creek. Remember, the first 5 photos need be the best and is a synopsis to what one's place is all about.

Tight lines. 🦈

[Arthur482]

Thanks Fred

  I shuffled my photos and deleted repetitive ones. Also added a creek photo I had on file and will get a few more next trip out.

Art 

[Arthur482]

 Thank you all for your input.

  I guess my concern is that I have 400 views on my place and only two bookings to date. I know that it has just been a month on the Airbnb site but still it makes me wonder.

[Kia272]

@Arthur482  I never- literally never- look at the AirBnB generated statistics. I don't look at views, wish-list additions, any of it. 

First of all, remember that views include people window shopping. They may just be looking, with no intention of booking a trip at the moment. No doubt that many a "view" is just a window shopper. 

Second, and more important, those numbers don't matter unless you make changes on your end. An example would be marketing more aggressively on social media or other platforms. If you're not going to do any of that (I don't), then the relationship of AirBnB's numbers to your listing won't change.

Third, and hosts so often forget this, is that the travel industry is dynamic. Your area may have been the most popular destination in years past, but travel trends are impacted by so many things, and the traveling public is fickle. There are no guarantees. 

If you've set up your property to your satisfaction, as your reviews build, you'll get booked. Maybe not to your expectations, but you'll get booked. 

That's the best advice I can offer. Good luck. 

[Arthur482]

Thanks @Kia272 

  I originally figured it would take several good reviews to really get going but when I saw all the views I really thought that I had done something wrong with my unit. That is really why I was asking for people to review my place and site.

  Everyone has been very helpful and I really appreciate all the responses.

  Thank you