Airbnbust? Top 5 common mistakes hosts make

Here are the top 5 common mistakes you are making with your Airbnb listing right now

Your Airbnb listing is your biggest asset when it comes to attracting guests to your property so it’s important to avoid mistakes. It’s the first thing they see when considering your place, and it can either make them book with you or move on to the next option. So, it’s crucial to nail your listing and get more bookings! However, many hosts make the same common mistakes that can cost them bookings and negatively impact their business.

As someone who checks out dozens of Airbnb listings every day, I can tell you that there are several factors that make some listings stand out from others. While oversaturation and pricing can be factors, many other details make a significant difference in your Airbnb success. Avoid that #airbnbust. Let’s dive into five common mistakes hosts make in their Airbnb listings and how to avoid them.

Common Mistake #1: Poor Quality Photos

Your photos are the most important aspect of your Airbnb listing. They give potential guests a visual representation of your property, and they can make a huge impact on their decision to book with you. Sadly, many hosts use non-professional photos or do not include enough photos. Please make sure your photos are of high quality and showcase your property in the best possible light. Don’t forget to include photos of all the critical features, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living areas. Create “moments” of how guests will “live” in your space by showing a table set for a meal, games area set up for a family games night or just a simple book with a cup of tea in a cozy nook.  You can read my other tips here about STR photoshoots so you can avoid this common mistake!

Common Mistake #2: Inaccurate Descriptions

Honesty is the best policy! Another common mistake hosts make is providing inaccurate descriptions of their property. Whether it’s exaggerating the size of the property or failing to mention important details like the number of stairs guests will need to climb, inaccurate descriptions can lead to unhappy guests and negative reviews. Be honest and transparent in your listing description and make sure you provide all the necessary details. Avoid hackneyed phrases like “luxury” if that’s not your market segment. 

Common Mistake #3: Lack of Amenities

Guests expect certain amenities when they book a short-term rental property. Hosts who fail to provide these amenities can miss out on bookings. Common amenities guests expect include wifi, towels, linens, and basic toiletries. Consider offering additional amenities like a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and a coffee station to make your listing stand out. Don’t think you have to make huge investments, rather it is the thoughtful items that take your listing from basic to exceptional.  Understanding your ideal guests will help you decide what is an essential investment and what is not going to get you new bookings.

Common Mistake #4: Poor Communication of the value to your guests

When it comes to writing copy for your Airbnb listing, it’s essential to communicate the value and create an emotional response in your potential guests. It’s not just about providing a bed to sleep in, but offering a unique experience based on your hospitality, location, and amenities. To achieve a successful conversion, you need to understand your product and what your guests are looking for. This means using the right language and branding to attract your ideal guests and showing them how they will feel when they stay with you. Unfortunately, hosts who fail to communicate their unique guest experience often end up sounding like a generic real estate listing on Zillow. Remember, you are not just selling your house, you are selling an experience. Interested in message templates that work? Check out my most commonly used ones here.

Common Mistake #5: Stale Listings 

The Airbnb algorithm rewards hosts who are actively engaged with their listings. In other words, the more you work on your listing, the higher your ranking in the search results. If you haven’t had any bookings in a while, don’t give up hope! There are plenty of things you can do to improve your listing and attract more guests. Try changing your hero photo, tweaking your copy and photo captions, experimenting with your pricing and cleaning fees, and testing out different keywords and descriptions. You could even consider doing a mini redecoration, such as adding a feature wall or updating your textiles, and taking new professional photos to refresh your listing. Keep in mind that what worked in 2020 may not work in 2023, so it’s important to stay active and adaptable. Remember, it’s the hosts who are constantly updating and improving their listings who are enjoying the most success on Airbnb.

Not sure what you are doing wrong but want help avoiding Airbnbust and these common mistakes?

Did you know I offer obligation free listing audits?

Typically, I find hosts $1000 in extra revenue. Often I can find much more. My client Karen had a great year last year after her audit. Karen was able to refresh her listing copy, photos and booked more in the first week of the year, than she had done for the entire previous year.

Is there hidden money inside your existing listing? What are the simple tweaks that you need to squeeze this out? You’ll get booked in a crowded marketplace without discounting to drive your bookings.

I’ll demystify the technology so you can focus on your hospitality.

• Are you leaving money on the table?
• Do you have an empty calendar?
• Are you getting only average reviews?

Implement the personalised action items and you will earn back this $299 investment with your very next booking. Let me help you get clarity on your unique brand to charge higher rates and attract the best guests. Book in here!

Takeaways

The key point is that your Airbnb listing is your most important marketing tool, and avoiding these common mistakes can make all the difference in attracting more bookings and positive reviews. Take the time to create a high-quality listing with accurate descriptions, plenty of amenities, and clear communication with your guests, and you’ll be on your way to a successful short-term rental business.

Happy hosting!