With over 2 million short-term rental listings available on Vrbo, it can be challenging for potential guests to choose the right property that meets their expectations for a perfect stay. So, to help travelers feel more confident during the booking process, Vrbo allows guests to leave feedback for their stay—they can submit reviews and rate their experience.
In this blog post, we'll discuss how the Vrbo ratings reflect the guest experience and what you can do to achieve the best ratings.
You may also want to check out our blog article to learn more about how the Airbnb ratings system works.
Vrbo Ratings: How the System Works
Vrbo offers a two-way review system where guests and hosts can rate their experience. In addition to a written review that must meet the Vrbo Content Guidelines, guests can rate their stay. This is how it works.
Vrbo allows travelers to provide an overall score for the property they are reviewing on a straightforward scale of 1-5 or 1-10. To get the property review score displayed in search results, Vrbo converts all guest scores to a score out of 10. Then, they add up all scores in the published reviews and divide that by the total number of published review scores.
Travelers can also submit sub-scores for specific aspects and features of a property or stay, such as cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, and listing accuracy. Keep in mind that since the overall scores and these sub-scores are submitted by travelers separately, they may be different.
Travelers searching for accommodation on the platform can see the listing's ratings and read property reviews from past Vrbo guests. This information helps potential guests understand what to expect if they book a stay there, identify vacation rental properties that suit their needs, and make an informed booking decision.
For hosts, Vrbo ratings impact their listings' search rankings. Properties with better reviews and higher ratings tend to appear higher in search results, making them more visible to potential guests. That can lead to more bookings and higher revenue. So, paying attention to all these aspects when preparing for your next guest is important to increase your chances of getting positive feedback.
Operating a short-term rental property involves many responsibilities and can be rather time-consuming, so a smart solution is to automate your hosting routine using vacation rental software like Hospitable. Then, you'll be able to manage everything hassle-free and have more time to focus on tasks that require a personal touch and pay attention to details that can help make your guests happy with their stay.
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Vrbo hosts can also review their guests and rate them from 1 to 5 stars on their overall experience, cleanliness, communication, and adherence to house rules. Guest ratings aren't public. Only you can access the guest's average star rating within your account. Guests can access their own average rating within their profile. Vacation rental hosts can also view a Traveler Profile of a potential guest sending a booking inquiry.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Vrbo Ratings?
High Vrbo ratings are crucial for your success on the platform because they can boost your reputation and help you stand out from the competition. When potential guests search for accommodation on Vrbo, they can apply the Property Reviews filter and select listings with high ratings, including
- Wonderful 9+
- Good 8+
- Highly rated for cleanliness
- Highly rated for location
Maintaining a high review rating is also one of the requirements for achieving the Premier Host status, which leads to an automatic increase in search position for your property.
It's important to remember that getting excellent reviews and high ratings from guests is more than just offering a nice place to stay. It's about creating an exceptional experience that leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Provide exceptional customer service
Make your guests feel valued and appreciated from the moment they request a booking until they check out. Be proactive in your communication with guests, respond promptly to their inquiries and concerns, and offer personalized recommendations for local attractions and activities. You should also be available to your guests if they have any questions or need help with any issues during their stay.
You can ensure fast and clear communication with your Vrbo guests via messages if you automate the process using vacation rental software like Hospitable. Our system uses Artificial Intelligence to help you respond quicker to guest messages and keep them informed during all customer journey stages.
Have conversations with your guests even when you sleep
Create an accurate and detailed listing
Honesty is key to setting realistic expectations. So ensure that your Vrbo listing accurately reflects what guests will find when they arrive. Include a detailed description of your rental space, high-quality photos of each room in your home, and a comprehensive list of amenities. Highlight the best features of your rental and be honest about any flaws. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure guests know exactly what to expect.
Clean your rental space thoroughly
Cleanliness is key to guest satisfaction, so ensure your vacation rental property is spotless before guests arrive. Remember that travelers expect to arrive at a property in pristine condition. You can choose to clean your rental space yourself or hire a cleaning crew, but you, as the owner, are responsible if anything is missed. So, a good idea is to provide your cleaners with a Vrbo cleaning checklist so they won't miss anything.
It's also important to perform regular property maintenance to ensure that your home meets guests' expectations. You should regularly check all furniture, appliances, and amenities to ensure everything is in good working order. You may want to check out our article for more tips on vacation rental housekeeping.
Offer thoughtful amenities and extras
Show your guests that you are ready to go the extra mile to ensure comfort and make your vacation rental property feel like home. Provide all the essentials, such as high-quality bedding, soap, shower products, toilet paper, tea, coffee, and spices. Consider providing amenities like complimentary toiletries, additional towels, a well-stocked kitchen, and extra pillows. Surprise your guests with a welcome basket with local snacks and drinks or homemade treats. Thoughtful extras can enhance guest experience and help you earn extra points in Vrbo review ratings.
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