I built a digital welcome guide with QR code for my rental — happy to share what I learned

[Dimtiris0]

After getting the same questions from guests over and over — WiFi password, check-out time, where to eat — I decided to build a proper solution instead of updating a printed sheet every season.

I created a digital welcome guide that guests access by scanning a QR code. No app, no login — just scan and everything is there: arrival instructions, WiFi, house rules, local recommendations and emergency contacts. It works in both Greek and English with a single tap to switch.

A few things I learned along the way that might help other hosts:

1. Guests rarely read printed booklets. They pick up their phone instead — so meeting them there makes a real difference.

2. Having local recommendations in the guide (your favourite taverna, the hidden beach) genuinely improves reviews. Guests feel like they got insider knowledge.

3. The QR code never changes even when you update the content — so you print once and forget about it.

Has anyone else moved away from printed welcome materials? What has worked for you? Would love to hear how other hosts handle the guest information problem.

[Elisa]

Hi @Dimtiris0 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing this here, you had an incredible idea.

Would you like to also make a paper version?

I’m tagging a few hosts to see what they can share with you: @Alessandro1278, @Chione0, @Akhilesh-Pratap0, @Rizooto0, @Wendy2005 and @Eden-Suites0.

Thank you in advance, everyone!

[Dimtiris0]

Hi @Elisa, thank you so much for the warm response and for tagging other hosts!

A little background: I run a web design agency in Greece (Imagen Web Pro) and have been building digital solutions for businesses for years. When I kept seeing the same pain point — hosts spending time answering repetitive guest questions — I decided to build something for the rental market.

Regarding a paper version — that's actually a great point. The digital guide is designed to replace the printed booklet entirely, but I can see how a beautifully designed printable PDF version could work alongside it for hosts who want both options. Something to consider for the future!

Looking forward to hearing what the other hosts think. I actually put together 5 live demos for different property types — villa, guesthouse, studio, boutique hotel and pension — if anyone wants to see exactly what guests would experience. Happy to share the links here if that's helpful!

[Elisa]

Hi @Dimtiris0 😊,

Thanks for sharing, that’s really interesting, especially the idea behind solving guest questions.

Do you also see hosts mainly using it before arrival, or more during the stay once guests are already onsite?

[Dimtiris0]

Hi Elisa, great question!

From what I've seen it works best in both stages but in different ways.

Before arrival — hosts share the direct link via the Airbnb message thread or WhatsApp so guests can already familiarise themselves with the arrival instructions, parking and check-in process before they even land. This reduces the last-minute "where do I go?" messages significantly.

During the stay — the QR code on the kitchen table or near the entrance is where most guests actually engage with it. They scan it when they first arrive to get the WiFi, and then naturally explore the rest — house rules, local recommendations, emergency contacts. Because it stays cached on their phone, they keep coming back to it throughout the stay whenever they need something.

The interesting pattern is that the local recommendations section gets the most engagement during the stay. Guests use it almost like a personal concierge — where to eat, what to visit, hidden beaches. That's the part that tends to generate the most positive mentions in reviews as well.

Would love to share the live demos if you'd like to see how it looks in practice!

[Helen3]

As you aren't a host @Dimtiris0 why are guests asking you questions about listings they have booked ? 

[Dimtiris0]

Hi Helen, great question! I work closely with rental property owners in Greece through my web agency and help them manage their digital presence — so while the questions come to them rather than directly to me, I'm deeply involved in solving the day-to-day challenges they face. This guide came out of countless conversations with hosts who were dealing with exactly this problem. Hope that clarifies things!