By The Hospitable Team
Airbnb is an online marketplace for short term rentals that allows hosts to rent out unused private accommodations to travelers as an alternative to staying at a hotel. Airbnb rental properties range from single rooms to entire houses in lots of cities around the world.
Tourists love Airbnb because it provides them with a unique opportunity to live like a local while traveling. So if you’re looking to make extra money, listing your space through Airbnb is an option.
If you’re considering renting out your property on Airbnb, here are tips on how to start an Airbnb business and become a successful Airbnb host.
If you are in an options comparing mood, you may also want to check our guide on hosting at Booking.com.
How to Set Up an Airbnb
You’re wondering “Can I be an Airbnb host?” Anyone can list an extra room on the Airbnb website, and signing up to become an Airbnb host is fairly simple. If you have a second home or an extra room, you can start an Airbnb business.
Listing your space on Airbnb is free, but you’ll want to consider any extra costs you might incur as a host. They include Airbnb hosting fees (3% on each booking), cleaning costs, and money you’ll need for supplies and goods to restock your space after each stay.
Besides, you should consider how much money you’ll need to invest into your space to make it cozy and visually appealing. For example, you may want to buy new furniture suitable for a rental apartment.
Then, you should learn about your city’s short-term rental laws to find out whether it’s legal to list your space on Airbnb.
Make sure you can meet the Airbnb Host Requirements:
- Provide the essentials, including toilet paper, soap, linens, and at least one towel and pillow per guest. Tick out all the boxes in our host checklist;
- Accept reservation requests when you’re available;
- Avoid cancellations—Airbnb cancellation policy is very strict;
- Be quick to respond to your potential guests’ booking requests and inquiries. The slowest response time you can afford is 24 hours. Sometimes, to win a booking, you need to send a message within minutes of inquiry.
You can still have a life.
And our responses won’t sound robotic.
Before you even sign-up to Airbnb, you should prepare your house for welcoming guests. Consider a proper house renovation, review must-have amenities, clean every room, and prepare your house rules.
Here is how to set up an Airbnb:
- Sign-up and create a perfect Airbnb listing.
- Describe your space in detail and emphasize what makes it unique.
- Provide high-quality images of your space.
- Price your listing competitively to maximize bookings.
There are a few significant differences between an apartment you want to live in and an apartment you want to rent out. And it’s not about saving on the quality of amenities. It’s about efficiency. We collected a set of recommendations to adjust your place for short-term rental. They will help you avoid some of the pitfalls and save you a lot of money on operational costs.
How to Use Airbnb Efficiently
Getting started in the Airbnb business is fairly easy. Managing guests is the real trick. Providing great customer service is the backbone of any successful business, and being an Airbnb host is no different.
Here are some tips on how to use Airbnb efficiently.
- Keep your rental space clean and renter-ready at all times.
- Respond to all guest inquiries and be as quick as you can.
- Fix all problems ASAP: if a guest reports a leaky tap, you should fix it right away and be sure to apologize to the guest.
- Have an up-to-date booking calendar to help potential guests determine when your space is available.
- If you decide to take on multiple properties, build a team that includes such professionals as plumbers and electricians, and hire cleaning services.
As you see, running an Airbnb involves a lot of responsibilities and requires a lot of time. So a smart decision is to automate your Airbnb business.
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If you provide the best guest experience, you’ll be rewarded with positive reviews, higher placement in search rankings, and get more bookings. Here are some more tips on how to run an Airbnb that can help you stand out.
- Think about your Airbnb USP—you need to be clear on what differentiates your property from other rentals in your area.
- Be polite to your guests and respond quickly to their inquiries. Remember that first impressions count, so keep the tone friendly yet professional and efficient.
- Don’t just list your property details. Highlight what experiences your guests can enjoy in your area, from breathtaking views to cultural events.
Conclusion
Becoming an Airbnb host can be a great option if you need some additional income, or it can become a full-time business in itself. There are minimal startup costs, and a lot of the setup and marketing is done for you.
We’ve provided you with tips on how to start an Airbnb business, but becoming a successful Airbnb host is not just about landing a booking. It’s about providing your guests with the best experience.
Use our guide to reduce your operational cost in the long run, while providing an excellent guest experience.
Airbnb Host Checklist: Setting Up for Airbnb
Planning to start a short-term rental business on Airbnb and are looking for an Airbnb startup checklist? In this post, you’ll find an Airbnb host checklist of essential things you will need to invest in for the greatest experience for your guests.
Booking.com Host Guide for Beginners
Today, Booking.com is one of the largest accommodation booking platforms, with more than 28 million listings in 226 countries and territories across the globe. Planning to become the part of this crowd? Our guide will get you started.
Become a DIY Airbnb Host, or Hire a Property Manager?—Which is Right for You?
If you manage multiple units, this quickly turns into a full-time job. That’s why many hosts choose to outsource some or all of these tasks.
But how do you decide which tasks to outsource? That’s an important decision every host has to make.
Let us help you make this decision!
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