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)?

[Ben205]

@Bob39Like you, I often don't care about the decor if I'm looking for an over-nighter. If I'm holiday, it's more important.

Smart pricing I have avoided, but I'd like to stick up for IB. It's been great for us, we get good guests and good reviews. However, we are a 3-night minimum whole house, so not cheap and people have to want to come here for a reason.

I do check the first couple of reviews, and recently have looked to see if hosts are Superhosts, but haven't set it as a filter.

[Šarka0]

When I first search for a place, it's always:

1. (Micro-)Location

2. Home type - always Entire place for me or at least Private room with ensuite bathroom

Then come:

3. Amenities, like WiFi, depending on my length of stay also Kitchen and what I feel like needing at that time

4. Price, after I can compare what I get with my filters

5. Photos

6. Reviews

If nothing in my budget shows up for all the amenities I first add, I remove the amenities that I don't really need and search again in the price range I think is acceptable for me.

Photos do invite you to open up the site, and after that you can read the reviews if you like what you see.