Hosting suggestions for a new host

[Hassan121]

Hi - I am a new host and just listed my property to Airbnb.

I am getting views and booking offers as well. However they do not process further into reservations. Even I've offer special pricing and monthly discounts as well. 

Here is a link to my listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/42755377

My first guest was a happy one and i got a nice review. Let me know how to improve things in my listings.

Thanks.

[Donald28]

change the bedding in pic 5. Too many opposing shapes and things going on with the wall paper and the bedding. 

Pic 12 & 14 are basically identical... completely clean off the counter and retake picture. Guests do not want to see your take out containers and all that other stuff on the counters. 

Get rid of pic 15. It does nothing to showcase your property. It looks like a saw blade. 

Toss pic 16 too. It makes people wonder how many stairs are involved and how many neighbors there are to deal with. 

Retake pic 17 showing a parking spot but not all the stairs. People don't want tons of stairs to walk up. 

Ditch the last pic too. Nobody cares that there's a mall with a rather ugly exterior 3kms away. 

I'd honestly come up with a different name too. "the little hut" just isn't inviting. Who wants to stay in a little hut? 

It sounds like a couple of guests could be randomly staying with and sharing spaces with other airbnb guests IF they don't book the entire place with 5 people? That's kind of a turn off to potential guests. I understand why you think it's a good idea ...because you think that having a full house will make you more money... but it's causing you less bookings. People generally want the entire place to themselves. Make it so even a couple, get the place to themselves and you will immediately get more bookings. In the end you will make more money because you'll have more bookings. 

Good luck

[Dawn81]

@Hassan121 you have a very nice place but I definitely see room for improvement. When I'm on my computer later today I will point out some issues that I think can be changed with your wording and photos. You made a good start!

[Sarah977]

@Hassan121  "I am getting views and booking offers as well."

I'm not sure what you are referring to as "booking offers". I think you are referring to "Inquiries". Inquiries are not booking offers. They are just a way that guests can communicate with you to ask questions or clarify something about your listing. If you pre-approve them, the guest can go on to book if they choose, but the reality is that most Inquiries don't turn into confirmed reservations. The guest may have sent out the same Inquiry message to several hosts.

If it's a Booking Request, as opposed to an Inquiry, as soon as you approve it, the guest's payment method proceeds to be charged and results in a confirmed reservation, as long as their payment method is valid.

There isn't any such thing as a "booking offer", just Instant Book reservations, Booking Requests, and Inquiries.

[Hassan121]

Yes, i meant to say instant Book reservations. Thanks for the corrections.

[Dawn81]

@Hassan121   Change the name from The little hut to:

♥Nicely decorated 2 bed/2 ba w/parking in the heart of Lahore♥

Nicely decorated 2 bedroom and 2 bath apartment.  Many amenities included, see list and photos. Suitable for solo, couples and small families. 

Any booking for parties of 5 will reserve the entire space, both bedrooms and bath and the living areas.  Reservation with less than 5 guests may share home common areas with other guest(s) 

Rent includes the first 2 guests and infants under 2 years old. Each additional guest after two persons  incurs a small charge of $5/ per person. Maximum capacity for each reservation is ___ persons. 

(Note: if $5 is too high charge something even $2 for each addl person.)

Pictures  #2 The bedding is very busy especially with the backdrop. Is that a wall hanging or wall art? Can you reverse the pillows and quilt to a solid side?

#12 kitchen counters are too busy. Clear off counters and retake photo.

#14 ditto #12

#17 keep this photo and re-label it with the mention of parking and the 10 steps. .  Get rid of #15, looks like jaws. It’s important that guests see and acknowledge stairs. Some elderly or handicapped will not be able to access so always disclose. 

Generally your photos show a home that appears to have no windows or natural light. It’s very dark and your walls are grey. If you can brighten or lighten the place up. It would look more inviting and cheerful.  Hope you like some of my ideas and they’re helpful.

[Hassan121]

@Dawn81 

Thank you so much for these suggestions. I would be doing these changes at my earliest.  My place has sunlight access however, due to specific conditions of our City( Hot summer is coming :), i tried to cover the windows as it will give a cool feeling. 

I'll try to mix up the pictures to make things more bright.

[Dawn81]

@Hassan121 I do think that trying to divide the place between two parties isn't a good idea. If there is damage you wouldn't know who the responsible party is. Also I don't think most people want to have another family sharing their vacation rental. If it was me I'd rent out only 1 bdrm for 2 people and keep the 2nd one locked up during the guest stay or for 3 or more I'd allow use of the 2nd bedroom and bath but charge for the 2nd bedroom use. Why should one couple or single need access to 2 beds and baths, (unless they want to pay for it) and you need to lean and prep unnecessarily?

[Hassan121]

@Dawn81

Thanks for the suggestions. I've followed them and now there is one bedroom and bathroom for 02 people. Will be doing other changes as well and share the results with you.