Thinking about hosting on Airbnb? The idea of starting their own Airbnb attracts many people looking to make money from an existing asset: their house or inner-city apartment. Perhaps it has something to do with the freedom of being your boss, or maybe it’s about the chance to meet interesting people from different parts of the world.
If you have available space, running an Airbnb is a great way to make extra money on the side, and if things go well, it can even become your primary source of income. But having a successful Airbnb isn’t simply listing your rental property and waiting for the bookings to roll in. There’s actually a lot more to it.
How does it all work? Here are key things to remember and top tips for turning your property into an Airbnb success story.
Looking for ways to start Airbnb with a little upfront work and low investment? Check out our article about the glamping business to decide whether it’s a good option for you.
Running an Airbnb Business: Best Practices
There are plenty of effective strategies that you can employ to become a successful host with just a single property. Here are our top tips on running an Airbnb business successfully.
High-quality photos make a difference
Having a catchy title, inviting description, and well-staged photos that communicate your property’s unique features can make your listing appealing to potential guests. You should take beautiful photos that capture the character of your place, the surrounding area, and any amenities and show your property from all angles.
Make sure that your rental space is clean before photographing, and try to use natural lighting. You may want to hire a professional photographer because professional photos that capture the atmosphere of the listing can help it stand out from the rest and get more bookings.
Respond to Airbnb guests immediately
When travelers see interesting Airbnb properties, they are likely to contact several hosts simultaneously. The faster you respond to booking inquiries, the higher your chances of getting the guests. If prospective guests don’t hear from you quickly, they will simply go elsewhere.
If you want to be successful, you should be ready to respond to your guests at any given moment. Be polite and helpful when it comes to special requests. Conversations with guests require a substantial time commitment, and you should be prepared to devote some portion of each day to this important task, which is rather challenging.
But you can automate all communications with guests using tools like Hospitable.com. It will help you decrease your workload by automating your messages and reviews.
Have conversations with your guests even when you sleep
Make your guests feel welcome
Your Airbnb rental will be your guests’ home away from home, so make sure your place is clean and tidy before guests come there. In addition to stocking your listing with necessities, you should consider having books, movies, and entertainment options for your guests.
You could even have flowers, a welcome note, or a gift basket for guests when they first arrive. Such small touches can help encourage great reviews and make the difference between just another Airbnb rental and a top-rated listing that is likely to attract more bookings.
Price your listing reasonably
The main reason travelers prefer Airbnb rentals is that they are more affordable than staying in a hotel. So you should do research to find out what other similar rentals in your neighborhood are charging and set a realistic rate.
You may want to consider using software that will allow you to apply dynamic pricing to your listing. Setting a competitive rate will enhance your chances of attracting guests and having a high occupancy rate.
Hire professional cleaners
Cleaning the property yourself is one way to cut costs. But you may quickly find that this task becomes incredibly time-consuming, especially for short-term lets. And if you do full-time rentals, the turnaround time between guests may be fast, so hiring a cleaning service may be the best option. Just make sure to provide your cleaners with a cleaning checklist.
How to Manage Airbnb Properties Remotely
A great attraction of running an Airbnb is that you can manage it from anywhere in the world. It’s almost no different from managing a short-term rental property in your neighborhood. You just have to put in some work to ensure that certain processes and procedures are in place. Here are some tips on how to manage Airbnb properties remotely.
Build your team
It’s inevitable that any rental property will eventually require some level of maintenance. It could be as simple as a leaking tap or a more concerning matter like a broken boiler. So you must have a trusted team of people you can call on if anything goes wrong: a plumber, an electrician, and an HVAC professional.
And if you think you’re too busy to manage every aspect of your Airbnb business, you may need to find a co-host to help you with specific tasks. Co-hosts can be found directly on the Airbnb platform, but you can also ask your family member or a trusted friend to help you.
Install smart locks
These locks don’t require keys and are activated by passwords or codes. Smart locks allow you to offer your guests self-check-ins, and they’re the best option when it comes to security. You can create a unique access code for each guest and ensure that your guests can only access your rental property during their stay, and no one can enter unauthorized.
Automate routine tasks
Automation is key for remote Airbnb hosts. Software tools like Hospitable.com can help you control your business and ensure it runs smoothly wherever you are. Hospitable.com offers a wide range of features to help you save time and effort: guest experience messaging, channel management, team collaboration, review management, and more.
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Create a comprehensive welcome guide
If you would like your guests to enjoy their stay without asking lots of questions, you’ll need to provide them with a printed copy of a detailed welcome book. It should list everything about your property and what guests need to know about their stay.
Your welcome guide should be as comprehensive as possible, so they won’t need to contact you with questions. Here are some things worth covering:
Directions to your rental
Emergency contact numbers
Instructions for using heating/ air conditioning
Electrical appliance guides
Your house rules
Information about the local area
Entertainment recommendations
Having a nice welcome guide will show your guests that you put in the effort to provide an enjoyable experience and make them feel cared for. That will help you build trust with your guests and land more 5-star reviews.
Final Thought
Running an Airbnb allows you to create additional income on your own terms with available space that may otherwise have been sitting empty. It’s up to you to decide whether you keep it as a part-time hustle or work to grow your hosting business to make more money. Just keep in mind that to do it right, you need to invest some time and effort.
