Getting started

[Delia74]

I have just set up my listing and don't seem to have had any guest requests despite lowering the price. What am I doing wrong? I have listed previously and had booking requests immediately so could it be the review score, my photos, price??

If you wish to view it is 'Attractive garden studio in leafy South Cambridge'. Maybe it is not there as I and a friend couldn't find it

Any tips/advise welcome

Delia 

[Sarah977]

@Delia74  Yes, it's an active listing, I could view it from your profie, but can't say how far down it might be in the search ranking.

I think what is likely a factor in not getting bookings is the 3 host cancellations that are listed. That's a pretty high amount-3 cancellations out of 6 reviews. Guests don't like to take a chace with a host who has a history of cancelling-  one cancellation was only 2 days prior to check.in.

[Kristy43]

Hi @Delia74.  I think Sarah is spot on about the number of cancellations impacting on your future bookings.  One thing that I might add though is that it is hard to get a sense of the space of the listing from your photos... it might be useful to add some wider shots of rooms so that people can get more of a sense of the layout?

[Delia74]

Thanks Kirsty I was v new to Air BnB when I cancelled obviously I didn’t realise it would have such a backlash. I made a mistake with the price unfortunately & had one guest who booked months in advance and got very upset and v rude. I wouldn’t have had as a guest after the way he spoke to ne

Any advise welcome

[Theresa219]

i never cancel my listing. you cancel once, your listing is just as good as "bury in the graves". you cancel 3x? you will "never" get it going. unless you deactivate your current account and sign up with a new account with brand new e-mail and "NEW ADDITIONAL PHONE NUMBER (separate line)" or "Google Voice (use to be ok but now you can't do it any more). That is the only way. Sorry. You just can not cancel the guest when AirBnB send you guest. 

[Delia74]

Thanks Theresa for your advise at the time I was new to hosting & didn’t know cancelling would have such an impact. 

Looks like I will need to start again 

[Rachel0]

 @Delia74 I just had a look at your listing and there do appear to be some problems.  Other hosts have mentioned that you have 3 cancellations so I don't need to repeat that.  

You don't say whether the bathroom is shared or private at the top of the listing - this needs to be made clear.

Pricing.  It appears that it is £55 for one person per night, but for two it is £105 and for three it is £155.  This cannot be right, surely.  I can understand adding £10 per night for a 2nd and 3rd guest, but £50 is way too much - especially as the third person would be sleeping on a floor mattress.  Perhaps you have done this by mistake, but it does need to be adjusted.

Photos.  The bed needs more prominence.  It also needs to look more welcoming, with more than just one pillow per person plus some attractive bedding to make it look comfy and cosy.  

For the time being, I would concentrate on getting your pricing right and upgrading your photos, then hopefully things will sort themselves out.  I hope it goes well.

[Delia74]

HI Rachel

Thanks for your response and comments, followed the topic areas and put in the info as requested but maybe I need to also confirm things like the bathroom are not shared in the main description. In regard the price it is for the room not person but I did state if there are extra guests beyond the quota then that is an extra price which is maybe where the confusion comes

However since posting I have now secured my first guest coming this friday for a week so maybe I was worrying unnecessarily! 

How many bookings do you receive in a month or year?

[Cathie19]

Hi @Delia74.

@Sarah977 will be correct in her thinking....

@Rachel0 has given good advice regarding bathroom and making the bedroom attractive. Nothing is worse as a guest than lack of pillows or bed reading lights.  🙂

 Personally, I would be listing the space for two(2) persons only.  Leave yourself room to negotiate on a one on one basis, an extra guest. Unless there is a dedicated bed of comfort... don’t include it. 

Here’s an option:

Depending on current bookings, as you are starting out, you may wish to have change your calendar settings. Make your calendar “blocked” by default. So then you are manually “opening up dates or months. This could reduce your need to cancel bookings that are too far in advance.

🙂

Cathie

[Rachel0]

@Delia74 Something else that I forgot to add to my earlier message.  In your amenities you mention that you provide pots and pans, a microwave and a fridge and yet there are no photos of any kitchen/cooking area - only a photo of a table with some dishes on it.  Also, you don't refer to cooking facilities in your description so guest may not be sure whether they can make their own food or not.  Same goes for the garden -  as it is mentioned in your facilities as being available, then it would be good to see a picture of it.

[Cathie19]

I was going to ask the same thing!

@Delia74: Don’t assume, always add to the descriptor so there can be no miscommunication.

🙂