As a host, you are no stranger to the ups and downs that come with this line of work. You're constantly struggling with the uncertainty that can arise when welcoming new guests into your home - how will they treat it? What if something goes wrong in your absence? All these issues can be daunting but don't worry, you're not alone. With our ultimate guide to common Airbnb host mistakes, we'll give you the insight and advice you need to confidently navigate hosting without any hiccups!

Relying Solely on Online Booking Channels for Marketing & Bookings

‍

Online booking channels, like Airbnb and Vrbo, are a popular way to earn extra income, especially if you have extra space to rent out. However, as a vacation rental host, you need to ensure that your property stands out to attract potential guests. One common mistake that most hosts make is relying solely on OTAs for marketing and bookings.

Limited Exposure

Airbnb is undoubtedly a popular platform for booking. However, if you only rely on the platform to advertise your property, you limit the exposure of your listing. There are potential guests who might be looking for properties using other platforms, and if they cannot find your listing on these platforms, they will be less likely to book your property. It is essential to advertise your listing on multiple platforms to reach a broader audience and increase the chance of getting more bookings.

Difficult to Stand Out

With over 7 million listings worldwide, the competition is stiff. When you rely solely on OTAs to market your property, it is difficult to stand out from the crowd. You will be competing with other hosts who are trying to attract the same audience, and if your property is not unique or attractive enough, it can be challenging to gain traction. By advertising your listing on multiple platforms, you increase the chances of standing out and attracting a diverse audience.

Control Over Your Branding

Airbnb has specific branding guidelines that every host must follow when listing their property on the platform. While this is beneficial in some ways, it limits your creativity and control over your branding message. You might have a particular brand image that you want to communicate to potential guests that might not necessarily align with their branding guidelines. By advertising on other platforms, you can have more control over your branding message. You can customize the images and descriptions of your property to align with your branding message.

Sudden Changes

An OTA has the discretion to make sudden changes to their terms and conditions, algorithms, and services. As a host, you must be aware of these changes to adapt and adjust your strategy accordingly. However, if you rely solely on OTAs for bookings, sudden changes in the platform's policies or algorithms can significantly affect your business. By advertising your listing on multiple platforms, you reduce the risk of a sudden dip in bookings in case of policy changes.

Nurture Loyalty

If you rely solely on OTAs for bookings, you miss out on the opportunity to nurture loyalty from guests who have already stayed on your property. By advertising on multiple platforms, you can interact and connect with previous guests and build relationships with them. Guest loyalty is essential to any business, and it is necessary to provide excellent customer service and build positive relationships with your guests to make them return.

‍

Not Automating Everything You Can

‍

While it's easy to get bogged down in the details of furnishing the space or creating great listings, there is another aspect of your rental property you should consider - automating it.

Smart Locks

Behind every successful short-term rental property is a well-functioning and secure smart lock. Installing and automating a smart lock provides several benefits. Firstly, it ensures that you save on time and resources since you won't have to rekey the lock every time you have a new set of guests. Secondly, you can avoid the headache that comes with lost keys or keys not working correctly. Automated smart locks, coupled with a guest management system integrated into your CRM, can allow greater check-in flexibility, and guests can check themselves in and out without requiring your presence.

‍

Automate Cleaning Process

You can streamline your cleaning process through automation. One of the most significant benefits of automating a property’s management is that everything can be done online. It's important to choose a property management software that syncs with your calendar, accurately tracks cleaning schedules, and manages any maintenance or repair needs. Such software also allows you to immediately respond to guest requests and update your room availability status.

‍

Automate Messaging

Messaging is another area where automation comes in handy. Instead of messaging each guest separately through your OTA account, you could use an automated messaging service that responds to inquiries or sends reminders to guests to leave reviews or check-in instructions. Automated messaging saves time and also ensures that you’re keeping guests informed and engaged without any effort on your part.

‍

Automate Pricing

Pricing is one of the greatest challenges for hosts, especially if you're in a highly competitive market. Automated pricing tools can help you analyze market trends, occupancy levels, and pricing of similar properties in the region. With this information, it can easily determine an optimal price for your property , and ensure that you remain competitive. You'll save time and increase revenue by not having to manually adjust the rental price frequently.

‍

Avoid These Host Pricing Mistakes

‍

As a host, you are constantly looking for ways to maximize your earnings. One of the most critical aspects of this is pricing your listing correctly. However, pricing is not always intuitive, and it's easy to make mistakes that can hurt your bottom line. Here are some common pitfalls we see hosts making.

Trusting Your Gut

Pricing your listing is not something you should do on a whim. Many hosts make the mistake of setting prices based on their intuition or personal biases. For example, you may think that your property is worth more because you've put a lot of time and effort into it. However, your guests may not share the same values and may be willing to pay less. It's important to do your research and look at the prices of similar listings in your area to determine a fair price. Tools like Smart Pricing and MarketMinder can give you valuable insights into what other hosts are charging in your area.

‍

Not Pivoting When Something Is Going Wrong

Your pricing strategy should never be set in stone. If you're not getting enough bookings, or if you notice that your occupancy rate is lower than expected, it's time to pivot. This could mean adjusting your pricing, offering discounts or promotions, or changing your listing's description or amenities. OTA analytics tools, such as the occupancy rate and booking conversion rate, can give you valuable insights into how your listing is performing, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

‍

Relying Solely on Competitors for Pricing

While it's important to keep an eye on your competitors, relying solely on their pricing can be a mistake. Your competitors may not have the same goals as you, or they may be pricing their listings based on different factors. Doing your own research and setting your prices based on your unique circumstances, such as your occupancy rate and the quality of your property, can help you stand out from the competition and attract more guests.

‍

Not Using Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing is one of the most powerful tools for hosts. It allows you to adjust your prices based on factors such as demand, seasonality, and events in your area. Many hosts do not utilize dynamic pricing, either because they are not aware of it or because they are afraid of setting their prices too high. However, research has shown that dynamic pricing can increase your earnings by up to 40%. OTAs provides dynamic pricing tools that are easy to use and can help you optimize your pricing for maximum profitability.

‍

Buying Cheap Furniture for Your Rental

‍

In an attempt to cut costs and maximize profits, many hosts tend to skimp on furniture while setting up their rental. If you are planning to open your rental soon, we have listed out the reasons why you shouldn't buy cheap furniture for Rental.

Quality matters

Your guests expect a comfortable stay with quality furnishings. They pay a premium price to stay at your vacation rental, and the last thing they want to experience is a low-quality bed that squeaks or a sofa that sinks in. Hence, investing in high-quality furniture ensures your guests enjoy their stay comfortably, and you will be able to maintain a good rating.

‍

Durability

Cheap furniture may be easy on your wallet when you purchase it, but it will cost you more in the long run. Cheap furniture is not built to last and will need frequent replacements, which can add up fast. Durable, high-quality furniture will typically look better with age and reward you with years, if not decades, of reliable use.

‍

Aesthetics

Your rental space should have a captivating look that makes your guests feel welcomed and relaxed. Aesthetics play a significant role in creating that ambiance that leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Cheap furniture can make your rental space look outdated, tasteless, and uninviting. However, high-quality furniture pieces can complement your property's architecture, elevate its aesthetic appeal, and provide maximum comfort to your guests.

‍

Hygiene

In the wake of the pandemic, hygiene standards have become increasingly important to travelers. The cleanliness of your rental space is a significant factor in the guests' choice. Unfortunately, low-quality furniture may be difficult to clean and can harbor bacteria and stains, making it harder to maintain the hygiene standards expected by your guests. Investing in high-quality furniture will ensure easy maintenance and hygiene upkeep, boosting your reviews, and gaining repeat guests.

‍

Brand image

Your rental space should have a personality and communicate with your guests through the choices you make regarding the furniture pieces. By investing in high-quality furnishings, you are sending a subtle message to your guests that you care about their comfort and experience. This translates to long-term business, great ratings, and referrals.

‍

Having a Chores List for Your Guests

‍

As a host, you want your guests to have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in your space. While it's natural to expect guests to clean up after themselves, some hosts take it a step further by presenting them with a lengthy list of chores to do before they leave. However, this approach can actually do more harm than good.

3 Reasons We Recommend No

First of all, it's important to remember that your guests are paying a cleaning fee. This means that they are already contributing to the cost of cleaning up after their stay. While you may expect them to do minimal things such as washing dishes, taking out the trash, and tidying up, it's not fair to ask them to deep clean the entire space. Not only is it unreasonably time-consuming for them, but it can also lead to negative reviews and a poor impression of your hosting style.

‍

Secondly, a checkout chores list can make guests feel like they are still "working" even on their last day of vacation. This is especially true for guests who may have early flights or tight schedules. By giving them a long list of tasks to do, you may be adding unnecessary stress and anxiety to their trip. As a result, they may be less likely to recommend your space to others or leave a positive review.

‍

Thirdly, it's important to remember that guests are paying for an experience, not just a place to sleep. By presenting them with a long list of chores to do, you may be detracting from their overall experience. For example, if they have to spend an hour cleaning the kitchen on their last day, they may miss out on exploring the local neighborhood or spending time with their travel companions. This can lead to a negative impression of their stay and discourage them from booking with you again in the future.

‍

Do This Instead

Instead of having a checkout chores list, it's better to focus on creating a positive overall experience for your guests. This means providing a clean and comfortable space, clear communication, and a willingness to address any concerns they may have during their stay. By doing so, you can help ensure that they have a memorable and enjoyable trip, which can lead to positive reviews and referrals.

‍

Becoming a successful host doesn't have to be hard. By avoiding common mistakes, like not setting reasonable expectations for guests and failing to market your space in creative ways, you can increase your profitability and earn more from your rental properties. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel- learning from other hosts is a great way to ensure success. Take note of the tips we've discussed in this blog post so that you can better attract guests and run a profitable vacation rental business.

‍

Want to know how you can increase your profits by 40%? Click here!

‍