The Do's & Don'ts of Hosting on Airbnb
The Airbnb vacation rental marketplace is viciously competitive. With a total of 5.6 billion global listings on the site, you need to have a strong understanding of what works and what doesn’t.
Below you’ll find a list of best practices to follow that will help you secure 5-star reviews on Airbnb. This is crucial in allowing your property to rank on searches and achieve Superhost status. Review each recommendation and reflect on how you can level up your overall airbnb experience.
Do Communicate Often
One of the easiest ways to prevent misunderstandings is to communicate clearly and often with your guests. Being honest in your listing description and welcoming in your messaging allows guests to feel like they can trust you. This also increases the chances of them staying with you again.
Be ready to promptly answer questions and handle on-site issues by paying close attention to your messages while guests are staying in your airbnb.
You also want to make sure you’re updating your listing description and headline as changes on your property develop. If there’s an appliance that isn’t working, your guests should know before they book.
Make Sure Your Amenities are Up-to-Date
Before and after every guest, you want to do a quick run through of your amenities to make sure everything is functioning properly. Regular wear and tear is a part of hosting, so you want to make sure you’re on top of any inefficiencies before the next guest books your space.
Do Set the Right Expectations Up-Front
Writing an audacious listing promising the sun, moon, and the stars is a sure way to earn bad reviews. Unsatisfied guests are much more likely to leave negative reviews if they feel cheated.
While you definitely want to present your vacation rental in the best light possible, you also want to be realistic about what you’re able to deliver. If your schedule does not permit you to respond to on-property situations, don’t promise 24/7 assistance. Always be honest and transparent.
Do Prioritize Guest Requests & Go the Extra Mile
Adding special touches that communicate dedication to your guests is almost guaranteed to secure 5-star reviews! A general rule in business is to underpromise and over deliver.
Really consider the needs of your guests before handing over your space to them. Leaving little tokens of appreciation such as a box of chocolates for a Valentine’s Day getaway will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Don’t Cancel a Reservation with Penalty
Under no circumstances should you ever cancel a reservation with a penalty! This will severely impact your commitment rate and makes you ineligible for Superhost status for an entire year.
This mistake will also cause your listing to drop in search rankings. Airbnb interprets this as low-commitment behavior that translates into a poor airbnb experience. If you absolutely need to cancel, make sure you do so following Airbnb’s guidelines.
Don’t Go Overboard with Theming Your Space
Although it is important to theme your vacation rental to some degree, you want to make sure you’re not overdoing it. Cabins with a rustic aesthetic and beach homes with bohemian visuals are excellent interpretations of themed spaces.
However, you don’t want to over-personalize your airbnb by incorporating colors that are too bold, explicit artwork, or strong scents. When theming your space, think original but neutral.
Don’t Hold Back on Your Property Description
Your property description truly makes or breaks your airbnb. This is where you let potential guests know that by booking with you, they’re going to receive a phenomenal experience!
Don’t hold back on your offerings, amenities, or anything that makes your airbnb experience a special one. Just remember to keep it honest and true to what you are able to deliver.
Don’t Lay Out Excessive Ground Rules
It’s understandable that as a property owner, you want to protect your space from any kind of damage. Every listing should have a clear description of what is and isn’t allowed in order to avoid confusion
However, you want to be careful about not turning off potential guests with your language. Choose friendly, but firm phrases that convey a sense of responsibility without scaring off your guests.
Don’t Be Short in Your Responses
As a business owner you may feel inclined to be efficient with your communication. Responding with a quick “yes” or “no” answers guests’ questions and safeguards your limited time.
However, the truth is many guests will interpret this as you blowing them off. Guests are looking to feel welcomed, catered to, and not like they’re a bother to their hosts. Go the extra mile by responding quickly and with full sentences.
Don’t Get Emotional in a Dispute
Working in the hospitality industry is certainly not for everyone. If you host airbnb experiences long enough, you’re likely to run into one or two difficult guests. Sometimes no matter how diplomatic or friendly you are, challenging guests will push your buttons.
It’s important to remember that this is just a part of the business and under no circumstances should you ever disrespect or be unreasonable with your guests. Ultimately, this is your business and needs to be handled in a professional manner. Make sure you are being reasonable and level-headed when discussing sensitive topics with guests.
Overwhelmed by the idea of having to juggle all of these nuances? Let MB Experiences handle that and more! Contact us today to find out how we manage and maintain stellar reviews for our property owners. We can’t wait to hear from you!
