1. Optimizing your Airbnb listing for success
To have a compelling listing on your Airbnb property, consider these tips;
- Keep the description brief and highlight what’s important in your property. Avoid repetition.
- Describe your space and the experience it offers. Is it a modern uptown house or a cottage in the woods?
- Do not oversell or overprice your property. Keep everything upfront and consider including factors that some people might find challenging, e.g. lack of an elevator. Clients love honesty.
- Focus on special features that make your space unique. It could be local experiences or amenities that guests can only experience while staying there.
Invest in good photography and only use high-quality photos with the best lighting for your listing. Research by the National Association of Realtors shows that 87% of home buyers found the images online to be very helpful. This shows that a lot of people depend on photos when considering what accommodation to go for.
Giving details about your property is very important. Remember you’re trying to attract clients who have probably never been in that particular area or even the country. They entirely depend on what you say and what they see. You must give the best description. Include features like local attractions, good amenities, and the top-tier hospitality that you offer.
It is also necessary to include any house policies or restrictions you have set in your property in the description. This is to make it clear to the guests before they book that certain behaviors can’t be allowed or tolerated. For example, hosting parties or playing loud music.
2. Targeting the right audience for your Airbnb
Before setting up your Airbnb, you must figure out the type of audience you want to cater to. Is it tourists, businessmen, or families? This will help you know what type of property to invest in and the most strategic location. For example, if you’re looking to cater to families, you know that you should consider homes or bigger apartments with 3 bedrooms or more. If you want to cater to tourists, consider areas with high tourist attractions like the Masai Mara, the Coast, lake Naivasha, and other popular areas in the Rift Valley. If it’s businessmen or women, most conferences and areas that attract wealthy individuals e.g. Embassies, are in Nairobi. Areas such as Kilimani, Westlands, and Kileleshwa are highly profitable since they are safe, offer luxurious spaces, and are easily accessible. You are likely to be successful if you consider these.
Include relevant keywords in the listing description. This will ensure that you attract the right searches. Highlight factors such as the location and the type and size of your space. Include any unique features to it to stand an even better chance of securing guests.
As your business grows, you can consider giving offers or promotions to your guests in certain seasons. Take, for example, the festive season or during a major event like the annual WRC in Naivasha. A lot of people are moving to that area and as an Airbnb owner, you want them to consider staying in your property. It would be advisable to have offers that encourage them to stay there, e.g. slight price deductions.
3. Setting competitive pricing
When determining prices for your Airbnb, the basic factors you should consider are service fees, taxes, maintenance fees, etc. Other factors to consider are the location of the property, the amenities, and the seasons. Properties located in secure locations with good infrastructure and fitted with good amenities are likely to be pricy. Also, prices are likely to go up during peak seasons.
Create a client-friendly pricing system. Consider having occasional offers on discounts for your potential clients in order to stand out and attract more bookings. Also, develop a sensible cancellation policy such as offering refunds to maintain your customers.
