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)?

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Ben205

As a guest, location and price are always the first 2 filters I use to look for potential places to stay. Then I select based on pictures and descriptions and other reviews.

As a host, I asked several of my guests what attracted them the most about my listing. The answers I got were interesting. One guest mentioned the large window and open view from the guest room. Another mentioned the bathroom. I also think the level of privacy my guests have even though they are in a shared home is another advantage.

[Ben205]

@Donna240Yes, cleanliness is important, and as you say, can only really come from reviews not photos. I'm sure we all dusted before those were taken!

Talking of photos, you mention wanting lots but I'm wondering what others think of that? I actually like a surprise when I stay, in that I want to see the main room I'm sleeping in, but as for the rest I'm happy to explore when I arrive.

Is there a balance between tempting and too much information?

[J-Renato0]

@Ben205

You said something very interesting >>> Is there a balance between tempting and too much information?

I think that good information should be short and to the point.

About photos, having few photos about the immediate surrounding area maybe good just to have an overall idea (facede to find easily the building or house, street where the listing is located showing some intersting thing like underground station or bus stop, view from the window to avoid false expectation).

Some surprise is good. There is the concept of "underpromisse and overdeliver".

Less expectations and more good surprises. 

[Donna240]

@Ben0,

In keeping a person on your page I believe you are more likely to be remembered as they go through their options. Even when I see a place I like, I keep looking. You don't have to put up 50 photos, but more detail is better. We are visual creatures and I think every host knows that no matter how descriptive their property details are in print, guests rarely read through everything or retain much, but a visual imprint is more powerful and as they say, a photo is worth a thousand words.

Sometimes we are blinded to our own surroundings and don't see an unattractive corner, until we photograph the entire place.  It's useful to take a critical look at the photos, so we can put our best feet forward to potential guests by emiminating what might be considered an eyesore by others. I'm not talking about furnishings, I'm talking about clutter. All furnishings can be attractive, all styles too. 

What we write is subjective to our own emotional attachment to our homes, but photos allow the viewers to create their own narrative, so they can imagine themselves in our rooms.  Everytime I see a small number of photos, I wonder what the host is not showing me. If I don't see the bathroom, I won't book the property. Seeing what the neighborhood looks like and the ammenities of local shops and services also attracts me and can boost my 2nd choice to the place I book.

Photos are like a meal, when someone is full they stop eating, so I wouldn't worry about presenting a visual overload. You can find surprises in drawers, like extra blankets, more coffee and tea selections....oh that's not true, I've photographed that too.LOL

[Ben205]

@Donna240@J-Renato0Seems like we have one vote for more is less and one for cover all bases! Both with their merits, I can see. I like the idea of using the photos to see things we may not otherwise see as hosts, though as a minimalist, I tend to struggle to get anything much in the photo!

I'm worried though. We're staying in an ABB next week and I didn't check to see if there was a pic of the bathroom...

[Donna240]

@Ben0, who says the British don't have a sense of humour!!! As long as you are not an **bleep** personality type, like some people on the board (clears throat) you should have no trouble, and besides, you like surprises! I went back to Bergamo this last trip to see if the train station still had a porcelain square with a hole in the center with foot prints on the sides...in the ladies room, no less, and it had been replaced during the interim 25 years, since my last visit. There goes the romance of travel...

[Ben205]

@Donna240They still have those in France, though most of the open 'pissoir' have sadly gone from the parks!

[Cathy172]

Ha! @Ben205 Then aren't we lucky that US cities are installing "al fresco" urinals!

[J-Renato0]

@Donna240  I agree with what you have said:
"What we write is subjective to our own emotional attachment to our homes, but photos allow the viewers to create their own narrative, so they can imagine themselves in our rooms."
That is why, I think a good written description should be economical on adjectives.. just report the facts.  As for pictures, yes, they are not subjective.

@Ben205  Certainly every rule has exceptions. But, Yes, I think that massive information maybe boring! The trailer of a movie  is just to attract the atention, not show everything one is seeing in the film.
Just my opinion, 2 or 3 picture of some ordinary kitchen where it appears the fridge, stove, coffe maker, kittle and whatsoever we want to show is enough. If the guest is very concerned with something especial, they will ask about it anyway. I think It is not necessary to shoot lots of things separately...
I also think that, when a guest is very concerned with something, it will mark it in the search form. For exemple. If one wants an accommodation with a safebox and a cradle, they will mark it in the search form instead of browsing millions of photos to find a listing with safebox and cradle.

[Fred13]

   I tend to be a fan of showing each important feature of a listing (example bathroom) with one (1) single ~good~ encompassing photo; in this way it leaves 'room' for the little details that a guest, upon being actually there, will find a pleasant surprise. Sometimes something unusual does merit a 'micro-shot' no doubt, but multiple pictures of the same thing (even varying in angle) runs the risk of over-selling one particular aspect, for lack of other important features.

[Donna240]

@Jose0, You make me want to go back and read my description again to decide if I have too many adjectives, or just too many facts. It's long, I know that. And I also know my husband would not be inclined to read it through, since he likes to make the decision of where we go, but leaves the details to me.

Now after hearing from you and @Ben0, I am wondering about the psychology behind our views. I have to wonder if the women on this board feel the same way as the men, and who exactly is the decision maker when it comes to bookings. It's a generalization I know, but I find women more interested in details than men. I'm refering to the hunting/gathering roles of our primative ancesters. I think I'll start asking my guests who did the travel homework.

[Ben205]

@Donna240Nice thinking. Start a new conversation on this one! I can already picture some of the replies.

[J-Renato0]

@Donna240

I believe that, when the guests are couples, certainly they decide together, or at least exchange opinions about the listings. You could open a topic about this! 🙂

When searching accommodation, I and my wife decide togheter. I am good at finding good location and she is very concerned with reviews and some details 🙂 

[Cor3]

Hi @Ben205,

I suppose, it depends on who or what you believe 🙂

Being on the first page(s) - on any given particular selection - is, what counts! (In the case of Airbnb: 18 advertisements/page). According to my humble opinion.

When did you yourself, ever - or how many times - did you hit the "Next page"-button on Google, when you are searching for something (Or even went to the 17th page)?

Although the search ranking algorithm of Airbnb is a secret. This is what I noticed (In general):

The search ranking is mainly a mixture of:

1. Obviously the selection of what a guest is looking for, and what is available according to the selection
2. Number of reviews
3. Average review rating (So this is where a Superhost status, has some effect)
4. Instant bookable
5. New advertisements
6. Everything else

And I get the impression that according to Airbnb, it is (mainly):

1. Price
2. Instant bookable
3. Cancellation policy
4. Everything else

Success with the survey!

Best regards,

Cor.

[Bob39]

When I go on a road trip and I'm looking for places to stay, the things that I look for are:

- Past reviews from others who have stayed there, whether the reviews are on Yelp, Tripadvisor, VRBO or AirBnB or anywhere else. Not really the star ratings, just what they have to say about it.
- Cleanliness and comfort.
- I don't care about location or decor at all. But the photos do help by letting me know what I'm getting into.
- Price is a factor for me as I'm on a budget so the price has to fit my budget.

I think these things are important to guests too. They are looking for creature comforts, not fancy decorations.

How you treat the guest is important. Little things can always go wrong but how you resolve it or address it is more important than the fact that something went wrong. My grill ran out of propane when I was out of town but I was able to get my neighbor to bring over a tank. The guests were very happy and still gave a great review. Listen to everything the guest says and reply immediately.

Don't use Instant Book or Smart Pricing. Both will harm you.