Click to find out how much you could make as an Airbnb host
Click here to get a $20 voucher for your next Airbnb trip!
I am a huge fan of Airbnb, the website that allows you to rent out your room to travelers, for a night, a week or a month. I like the flexibility it offers, and the extra income of course! You can read my full review of Airbnb here.
Now that you are on Airbnb as well, here are a few Airbnb hosting tips to enhance your add and get more customers. The trick is to rank as high as possible in their search engine, by following a few easy steps:
1. Make a compelling profile
Click here to register as an Airbnb host, and earn $50 extra on your first hosting. Make a nice profile with a clear headshot of yourself to invite people to stay with you.
Airbnb is a social network, where you can update your picture, so put your face, or a couple photo, not an avatar, and add a nice and friendly description about you, what you like, why you want to host, if you are a traveler too…
You can link yourAirbnb account to your Facebook account, that will give you points too and the potential guest will be able to see how many friends you have, confirming that you are a real person. You can also (and should) confirm your mobile number, so that guests can reach you, that will help your ranking too.
2. Add quality pictures!
In most locations, Airbnb will even pay for a professional photographer to come and shoot your place. Take them up on the offer! It will also add the ”Airbnb verified” stamp of approval on your pictures, so that travelers will feel reassured when they book that there will be no bad surprises.
If you have to do it yourself, take the best picture you can, of a clean, tidy and welcoming room.
3. Tell everything
The good, and the not so good (and price your room accordingly). Airbnb is a community of travelers, and they will rate you after they come and stay with you. So if your place is far from the center, noisy, etc. you should mention it upfront. The last thing you want is a bad reference because you didn’t disclose everything.
Will you provide breakfast? What cool things can one do around your house? Do you have pets, can one smoke, who will share the bathroom with the guests?
Think about anything people may want to know, and you will save time answering emails asking for more info.
4. Start with a low price
You want to build up a profile and get started, the easiest way to get noticed is by pricing lower than your competitors. Check out prices in your area and quality of lodging, and price your place a bit lower. You can raise your prices after you are ranking high and have a few references.
5. Reply quickly
Reply to all emails andinquiriesas soon as you can. Ask questions back to your future guests to make sure they will be a good fit (allergies, diet…).
6. Update your calendar
There is an availability calendar on Airbnb. You can update it with the availability of your room or your house, to avoid bookings that you can’t honor.
This will also give you points with Airbnb and you will rank higher in the search.
7. Ask your friends who are on Airbnb to add a comment about you.
Even if they didn’t stay with you, they can confirm that you are real and don’t bite. Return the favor.
8. Check the map
On Airbnb, you enter your address and then Google Maps pinpoints it. Make sure that little dot on the map is correctly placed, there is nothing worse than a tired traveler looking for your place for hours.
9. Email your guests after they’ve stayed to make sure they leave a reference for you.
The more references you have, the higher you will rank.
10. Be an unforgettable host
Talk to your guests, provide them with maps of the city, the address of your favorite restaurant, the bus schedule… That will cost you nothing and improve their experience, hence improving your review and ranking.
11. Prepare your place
Clean up before and after your guests, de-clutter the room you will rent, make sure there is shampoo and toilet paper and clean towels in the bathroom. Add a few snacks in the fridge or a water bottle by the bed. You can chose to reflect that on the price, although most little improvements are cheap or free.
12. Be a great communicator
For guests, especially the first few times, Airbnb might seem a bit complicated to figure out. Be sure they have all the information they need. Will you be there to greet them? If not, where will the key be? What is your wifi password? How should they check out? I have it all in an automated welcome email, and laminated sheets at my place. That saves me time instead of repeating the same things over and over again.
I include clear driving directions, a troubleshooting guide in case the water or power runs out for example, and contact details of my staff and neighbors in case of a problem.
That’s it, I hope these 12 Airbnb hosting tips will help you be the best Airbnb host possible, and may it be the start of a great new source of income.
Have a nice time!
Click here to get a $20 voucher for your next Airbnb trip!
