What gets bookings?

[Ben205]

On a different thread (Airbnb vs HomeAway vs Tripadvisor, if you're interested) @Stewart asked the question 'what gets bookings?'. Photos? Wording? Price? Listing site? Availability? Reviews? Anything else?

Thought this might make a quick poll, keeping it brief, so here's my top 3 in order or importance -

1. Photos - especially when I'm a guest

2. Location

3. Price

What are your top factors (as guest or host)?

[Fred13]

This should prove informative. To me..or for me...

#1 - Photos

#2- Micro-Location

#3  Price  (value seeking)

#4  Host  (their individual personality)

On #4: As there are more hosts (4m) which influences so many things (price, choices, competition, etc) the host skill to come across as a 'no-hassle' and 'relaxed' offering I think it is more important today than ever. Too complicated an offering or a host that come across confrontational (via review responses) are at a distinct disadvantage.

[Ben205]

@Fred13Yes, 'micro-location' is a better description! Now we have some reviews, I'm seeing your point about host skills being important (we try hard and it's being noted by people when they book).

[Fred13]

Aye @Ben0, especially the skill to difuse or resolve issues as they come up and try one's best to not resort to or leave less up to Airbnb's 'kangaroo court', whose jury selection may not be from the sharpest knifes in the drawer.

(Correction 4,000,000 listings, roughly 700,000 individual hosts)

[Ben205]

@Fred13Having only been on this platform since last April, we're lucky so far to have avoided the court of ABB. We are in real court on Thursday, though, due to a direct booking that went very wrong...

Those stats are staggering - average host has nearly 6 properties?

[Sandra126]

No, don't think average host has six. But management companies might have 100 listings, one host. Alters the stats!

[Tom-and-Carina0]

Totally agree. Pretty sure the no hassle host is more important to those of us with out a private island and lots of competition. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Ben205 I think you are right . I would add 4. free parking (for us in city center)

@Fred13 your listing is special category , only location counts 🙂 

[Fred13]

Morning Branka. I am now sorrounded by other similar offerings that have copied me, some backed by extraordinary wealth, still not getting similar results, at all. Location is a start of course, the emotion a place evokes in guests however, is a whole other story.

[Jeff158]

Well done @Ben205, nothing ventured, nothing gained

As a guest & host

1 - Photo's

2 - @Fred13's Micro-location

3 - Listing reviews

4 - Money

5 - Can I find it on google to book direct and save the commission

[Ben205]

@Jeff158No 5 is interesting. We're not seeing that, yet. Any tips?

[Jeff158]

@Ben205 Name a Facebook page "Stylishly renovated listed townhouse, Crewkerne" If I paste your airbnb title into a google search you come up listed with platforms, but no facebook page or website to book through.

List youself on Google and Bing maps and all three will give you exposure.

My listing is "Trefor riverside cottage" Type it into google it should provide a link to my website. LOL, I've got me fingers crossed now that it comes up on the right hand side.

[Ben205]

@Jeff158Interesting, thanks. We do come up, but you wouldn't know it because the property is called Sutton House, as is the website but that's not in the title of our ABB listing. Must think about changing that!

Sorry to say, I don't find your website when I Google 'Trefor riverside cottage'. On the right I get Parc Elernion. Ignoring the ads at the top, there are 4 TA links, then lots of platforms like allrooms, with ABB being the very last, bottom of the page.

[Jeff158]

Parc Elernion is me @Ben205 And the photo of the cottage connects the two, but obviously not enough, I'll have to figure a better connection. Its all a learning curve.

You don't have your contact details on your listing, go to your account settings and click settings to add business contact details to your listing. All you get is another button below the "Contact Host" button but every little helps, its also a legal requirement but no one bothers with it.

[Ben205]

@Jeff158Oh, I see now! I was looking for the cottage photo, but the front page slider has 3 different pics, which confused me. I saw some pics of my place on Ebookers last night, which I've never used, and was thinking they've taken them from somewhere else (and written a terrible description, too!).

Will sort out the details on ABB - thanks for that tip!