How to Improve Your Listing's Ranking on Airbnb

More than ever before, it's super important to make sure that your Airbnb listing stays competitive and "seen". With thousands of listings in a given city, how can hosts make sure their listing shines above all?

It's all about your listing's SEO. SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization. This is the process of increasing the quantity of potential renters viewing the listing.

It is a known fact that guests will likely look at the top of the list for the best deals, rather than scrolling through pages of properties.

Check out these 8 SEO Airbnb tips to boost your Airbnb listing's presence.

#1 Stay On Top of Your Response Time

This is seemingly expected of a host, but many fail to stay on top of their communication with guests. Respond quickly to EVERY inquiry to keep your response rate at 100%. Airbnb rewards hosts who are reliable and quick to respond to inquiries because that increases the chances of a guest booking.

If a host doesn't respond within 24 hours of the inquiry, Airbnb punishes the listing by dropping its presence down on the list of properties within an area, therefore dropping the listing's SEO.

Secret Tip: NEVER HIT THE PRE-APPROVAL BUTTON to "respond". All you need to do is reply back to the message sent as an inquiry. You are not obligated to pre-approve or decline an inquiry and Airbnb won't punish you for this.

Secret Tip #2: It is better to let an inquiry expire than to decline. After a certain about of declined inquiries, Airbnb penalizes the listing. If you let inquiries expire after responding to a message, there is no penalization.

#2: Reply to your Reviews!

Not only should hosts take the initiative to write a review for each of their guests (especially when they've provided stellar service), they should also try to respond to 60-70% of the reviews left of their listing. This is a great way to address any feedback, update potential guests about the improvements made to the listing and thank great guests for staying. Replying to reviews also shows how much care and involvement a host puts into hosting. Guests will be more likely to book with a host they feel is reputable and easy to communicate with.

Secret Tip: Always stay professional and thank the guest for staying no matter the review. Never shame, argue or dismiss a guest's review as your response is public.

#3: Photos speak a thousand words

High-quality, professional photography are worthwhile. Not only does Airbnb reward hosts who invest in quality photos, guests are more likely to click on AND book listings that seem professionally done. If you're on the fence as to whether professional photography is worth it - just do it.

Secret Tip: Make sure the photos are accurate of the space. Never over-sell or include amenities/furniture in pictures that won't actually be available to guests. It is important to set guest expectations accurately so that they are not disappointed when they arrive.

Secret Tip #2: Never spend more than $150 for professional rental photos. Get matched with reputable photographers on freelance websites such as Snappr or Thumbtack.

#4: Revamp your Listing's Title

Target your guests or intended audience with a clear, fun, informative title. It should be an attention grabber and speak on a potential best amenity that your listing has. Take out a blank sheet of paper and use it as a canvas to brainstorm.

Secret Tip: Avoid using generic words such as "Luxury", "Convenient", "Gem", or even "Contemporary".

Secret Tip #2: Abbreviated when you can! Instead of putting "2 bedrooms", use "2 BR". This will leave you space to highlight more important things like "Upgraded Pool".

Secret #3: Use Emoji's to make your listing pop! Airbnb doesn't allow certain emoji's, but it is important to play around with the ones that do work such as stars, suns, hearts, moons, etc.. Hosts can simply copy paste them from a Google page into their listing title.

5 Short Term Rental Cleaning Tips during COVID-19

Cleanliness standards matter more than ever whether you're a cleaning your own rental or hiring a professional company to handle each turnover. As a result of COVID-19, many short term rental platforms have enforced standards to make sure guests and hosts are safe during each and every stay.

Check out Airbnb's new safety protocol focusing on an enhanced 5-step cleaning process, for example. All Airbnb hosts will be required to accept the cleaning protocol by November 20, 2020 to continue hosting on the platform. Hosts who don't agree to the safety policy will be suspended or potentially removed from Airbnb. What does that mean for everyone? It's time for change and cleanliness will be the most important focus. Here are 5 cleaning tips to make it work:

#1: Make a game plan and comprehensive cleaning strategy

Gone are the days to just winging the cleanings. Having a comprehensive checklist is the best tool a cleaner can have to stay consistent and make sure all the bells and whistles are clean. Don't forget the small details that are often overlooked but are extremely important (because guests are looking!) - especially cleaning door handles, wall smudges and stains, wiping down windows and electronic surfaces, and vacuuming underneath rugs. With COVID-19, it's best to keep the complimentary food items standard such as salt and pepper along with condiments that have squirt out openings.

#2: Advertise your cleaning standards on your listing!

Guests will feel more comfortable booking when they know their host cares about their safety. It is known that guests are more likely to book a property that outlines their updated cleaning practices in comparison to a listing that does not. Explaining improvements such as changing to all white linens, providing standard in-home cleaning supplies for guest use, and even providing complimentary disposable masks could be the deal-maker for most guests!

#3: Consider no early check-in's or flexibility

There are always guests who ask for potential early check-in or late check-out. Prior to the pandemic, this may have been a non-issue for most hosts, but it is important to keep standard check-in and check-out times to ensure adequate time for sanitizing, disinfecting and cleaning the entire property prior to a next guest arrival.

#4: The larger the property, the longer the cleaning buffer period

Consider extending the buffer period between guests so there is no need to rush a cleaning. Recommendations for cleaning times between guests: 4 hours for a 1-2 bedroom home, 6 hours for a 4 bedroom home. For hosts who have the flexibility and want to take the extra precaution, set a buffer period of 24-72 hours after each booking. You can do so by following these steps:

Step 1: Login to your Airbnb account and switch to hosting. Step 2: Click on Listing in the top navigation bar.

Step 3: Click on the listing you want to add booking buffer.

Step 4: Click on Availability tab.

Step 5: Click on Edit next to Reservation Preferences.

Step 6: Under Preparation time dropdown, select your preference.

Step 7: Click Save.

#5: Be Proactive

Take initiative now to stay on top of cleanliness. Read through Airbnb's safety requirements from hosts. Accept the changes and communicate expectations to housekeepers as necessary. Schedule a deep cleaning to start off right and coordinate routine deep cleanings every 3-5 months. Hire a property management company if the additional processes are too much to handle. We're all in this together!

#staysafe #airbnbandcovid19

Top 6 Benefits of Hiring an Airbnb or VRBO Rental Management Company

Running a vacation rental is no easy mission. On the edge as to whether a management team is worth it? Here are the top 6 reasons you should have a trusted rental management company on your side.

Having a stellar management team allows for owners and investors alike to sleep sound without having to handle the day to day (and often night!) operations and emergency situations. Take a look at some of the pros that come with a having a property management company to rely on:

#1: Smooth and simple accounting

Property managers should handle all the grunt work when it comes to recording expenses, keeping track of taxes in local jurisdictions, and organizing invoices. Owners receive a weekly statement to keep up to date on their income, expenses, invoices and tax obligations all in one location. Gone are the days of messy accounting - leave that up to an experienced property manager!

#2: Maintenance and contracting at a cheaper rate

A seasoned management company knows where to look for the best rates and are often well connected to find the most reliable services to maintain a home, such as upkeep of the pool, landscaping, and especially the unexpected (leaks, holes, oh my!). Property managers are always inspecting the home to catch issues before they turn into catastrophes.

#3: Own a hassle-free rental property

Owners who have an experienced and trusted property manager can have their cake and eat it too. Owners can spend up to 11 hours per week dealing with communication and guest issues, handling last minute emergencies, and cleaning the property. With a property manager, owners can instead receive the income while enjoying the perks of a hassle-free rental - travel freely, explore different hobbies, and spend more time with family knowing that the property is being properly handled.

#4: Increase property value

Consistent maintenance, inspections, and scheduled deep cleanings along with keeping an eye out to initiate property upgrades and necessary repairs are just some of the few things that a property manager will do to keep the property in top shape. Open communication with owners will allow for the opportunity to increase property value along the way.

#5: Get better guests and better income!

Property managers are aware of the scam artists, the party-throwers, and all the additional wildcards! Keep your property safe from unwanted parties, underage primary guests, and unnecessary damages by having a team that vets each and every guest prior to their arrival, avoiding red flags. Vetted and recommended guests on major hosting platforms like VRBO usually pay more, stay longer, and treat the home better.

#6: Increase rental occupancy

A confident property management team understands how to maneuver rental seasonality including short term rental vacancies by utilizing tools that increase visibility, price competitively, and optimized occupancy for the particular property at hand. Occupancy can increase by 30-45% on Airbnb with a knowledgeable property manager.

#airbnb #propertymanagement #vrbo