New to Airbnb

[Loren22]

I am new to hosting on this site. Can someone go and check out my listing and give me any pointers on how to improve it or if its solid as is?

[Donald28]

You're better off going to search similar listings in your area that have plenty of good reviews. See what they are doing and tailor your listing to theirs. 

[Matthew285]

@Loren22 welcome to hosting!

You photos seem a bit low resolution and not clear/blurry. What kind of camera did you use to take the photos? Your cabin has some beautiful woodwork, but it does not come off well in such low resolution. If you do not have a better camera, it would be well worth it to borrow someone else's good quality camera to take high resolution shots. The photos are one of the most critical components of a compelling listing, and they should show off your property in the best possible light.

Regarding the content of the photos: you have 7 photos of the outside of the cabin before you even show one picture of the inside. This is not what I prefer to see when I am looking for a place to stay. I first want to see the best room in the house. Then I want to see the bedrooms, then the bathrooms, and the kitchen (if it has one). Our listing has exactly zero photos of the outside of the house. Not a single guest has ever asked what the outside of the house looks like. Guests don't sleep outside the house.

The photo of the main bathroom is quite dark. If your camera has the necessary adjustments, change the settings so that the inside is as bright and beautiful as the lighting in the other rooms. It is okay to blow out the outside so that it just seems pure white outside the window.

You mention "There is also a queen bedroom on lower level. (NOT PICTURED)". Why in the world are you not including a photo of what I imagine is a beautiful bedroom (like all the others)? It has been a long time since cameras ran out of film. Show the guests photos of all the beautiful rooms in your beautiful cabin!

Regarding the description: you do a good job of telling the guests what rooms and beds they will get. When you have the time, please do try to do a little more "selling the dream." What will it be like when the guest is relaxing and enjoying this cabin with their friends? What will they be doing? How will they feel?

Also, don't forget to talk about all the cool things nearby: any famous rivers, mountains, sights, hiking trails, resorts, restaurants, etc. I'm am sure there is a long list of neat things in the area.

You have what seems to be an amazing cabin. Help the guests understand how amazing it is.

[Loren22]

Thank you for all of the above suggestions! We planned on chnaging out the photos once we took some new ones when we go out there again in May. We only decided to put this Cabin in rental this year on this site so we utilized what we had for the time being. Everything is the basement of the home is NOT PICTURED as we only finished that last year and again have not taken any new photos. This was by far the best response i I could have asked for truthfully it will only help me for future rental. Thank you again and I will definitely request you opinion once my property listing is updated. 

[Sandra126]

I agree with @Matthew285 except for the externals: With a mountain cabin, definitely show exterior pictures. As a house freak I always want exteriors anyway, regardless of location. Want to see the full environment!

In order of photo importance, for me (primarily romantic getaway) it is bedroom first. As you will perhaps be a group destination (mountain cabin large enough) guess at your primary guest's purpose and use the first and most important image as one that shows that.

Great cabin!

[Matthew285]

@Sandra126 you are correct. I forgot I was talking about a cabin placed in the beautiful mountains.

Outside shots in this case are entirely appropriate.

[Ashley197]

Hi @Loren22 - welcome! Cute place and good quantity of pictures. I love the deer picture - nice touch! A couple thoughts I had were to use a higher resolution camera and edit the pictures for crispness. You might also consider adding some "warm" colored throws, pillows, decor, etc that might brighten up the picture and give a "cozy" feel to add to the rustic vibe and make the pictures "pop". Those were my first impressions! Also, I echo the sentiments above to check out the local market and price accordingly. If you are finding that you are offering one of the few places like yours, don't feel pressured to drop your price unless you're not getting bookings (but look at some of the other tips on the forum about how to increase your visibility). 

I'd love it if you'd return the favor and take a look at some of my listings and add any of your thoughts! 🙂  It's a very different vibe (in-city metro-meets-cottage flavor). 🙂 

Warm wishes, 

Ashley 

[Ashley197]

Also @Loren22 one other PS that I might add is that if there are local attractions nearby, it's nice to sneak in pics of those - e.g. a lake, the view from the cabin, activities at different times of year, the fall colors, the winter snow, spring flowers, etc. You've got a great place and it's not urgent in any way to add all of that right away, but as time goes on, you can add the pics as you take them. More pics the better, it seems to me (I'd be interested if others on the forum disagree with this though). 🙂