10 rookie mistakes to avoid as airbnb host
A successful Airbnb enterprise is one, in which your guests are fully satisfied with your services and leave you with great reviews and 5-star rating. A lot of effort goes on the part of Airbnb Superhosts who leave no stone unturned to fulfill their guest’s needs, providing them with extraordinary experience with their amenities.
In order to run a profitable Airbnb business, you need to avoid certain mistakes that knowingly or unknowingly impact your guest’s overall experience in a negative way.
Moreover, an ideal way to avoid any mistakes as an Airbnb host is to put yourself in the place of your guests and think about their comfort. So here are the 10 mistakes that you need to avoid as an Airbnb host to yield optimum benefit from your efforts.
#1 - Poor Quality Images
One of the biggest mistakes that many Airbnb hosts make consistently is uploading poor quality images of their home in the Airbnb listing. You must remember that the images which you upload on your Airbnb listing are mostly responsible for creating the first impression of your space on your guests. So, by no means can you neglect the importance of uploading high quality images on your Airbnb listing that bring out the best of your space.
You don’t believe me? Convince yourself! These are the intro images of two listings in the same location and price category. Which one would you choose?
Listing 1 - Tel Aviv
Listing 2 - Tel Aviv
#2 - Exaggerated Or Bad Descriptions
The second and most common mistake that some Airbnb hosts make all the time is creating a listing with exaggerated descriptions. You must avoid writing too much, as well as digressing from the truth and providing over the top details of your property. As an Airbnb host, it is your first responsibility to provide only authentic details of your place to give your guests an accurate idea about it. Let’s give you two real world examples.
Listing 1 - San Francisco
This is one of the three rooms I host guests in, which means you will share common spaces with other people. Because of that, there is only one golden rule: Be considerate of other guests, otherwise you leave.
Listing 2 - San Francisco
Welcome! Come stay in the heart of SF’s best neighborhood. Our guest bedroom has a great queen bed, faces our backyard tree & is located on a quiet street, just a short walk to the most happening Valencia Street restaurants and bars. Enjoy great views of Twin Peaks from the roofdeck.
Let me guess you would go for listing number 2? It’s just much more personal, describes the location and the property very well and is definitely not exaggerated.
#3 - An Incomplete Listing
Many Airbnb hosts do not take out time to complete their listing that eventually affects their booking numbers. As an Airbnb host, you must not rush with your listing descriptions, because incomplete listing means incomplete information. And incomplete information is something that will undoubtedly keep away guests from making use of your services to a great extent. So it is important that you choose to activate your listing only after it is complete with the required descriptions, including; an updated calendar, competitive pricing, facilities, guidebook, and high quality pictures of your Airbnb accommodation.
#4 - Not Seeking Reviews From Guests
By not asking for reviews and ratings from guests who have stayed at your Airbnb accommodation, you are missing out on a lot of potential guests in the future. All Airbnb guests check reviews and ratings of a place before actually booking it.
There is absolutely nothing to feel shy or awkward about asking your guests to write reviews for your place as per their individual experiences.
Reviews and ratings can lay the foundation of building your Airbnb reputations. So as an Airbnb host, another mistake that you need to stop from making repeatedly is not asking for reviews from your guests.
#5 - Not Working On A Pricing Strategy
Another huge mistake that you make as an Airbnb host is not working on a pricing strategy and keeping your prices same all the time.
So in order to avoid making this mistake, you must figure out a pricing strategy in which your listing essays higher prices on weekends, holidays, and special occasions, as per the trends of your specific location.
Similarly, some months will yield you better prices in comparison to others that require you to regularly update and adjust your pricing list. Updating your listing in terms of prices will not only benefit you for the above mentioned reason, but will also help you improve your Airbnb SEO to a great extent.
#6 - Lack Of Hospitality
As an Airbnb host, you cannot ignore the importance of hospitality. You must be able to answer your guest’s queries as efficiently and as politely as possible. To add to it, you can even go an extra mile to surprise your guests with a welcome card or some customized arrangement to make them feel really special. Showing some hospitality will not only make your guests happy and welcomed, but also help you in acquiring an Airbnb Superhost status in the future.
#7 - Staying Unaware Of Your Competition
Are you aware of your Airbnb competitor’s pricing? Is there something your competitors provide that guests like very much? Well, if you have no idea about it then it is time that you brush up information today.
Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our very best. — Nancy Pearcey
By having no idea of what your competitors are doing, you are missing out on relevant information that can help you become a better Airbnb host by adjusting your listing accordingly.
#8 - Violating Listing Regulations
Another big mistake that some of the Airbnb hosts make is listing their property on Airbnb despite the fact that it violates their city zoning laws. If you are seeking long term business success from Airbnb, then you must follow the rules and never violate Airbnb listing regulations.
#9 - Unclean Property
As an Airbnb host, it is your responsibility to provide a clean property to your guests. Airbnb guests are looking to stay in a clean property that has clean beds and bathrooms. But, a few Airbnb hosts who ignore the cleanliness factor have to eventually bear the brunt of this situation in the form of negative reviews. Or it could even end up on social media like this:
So, if you do not wish to tarnish your Airbnb reputation with negative reviews and rating for a dirty property, then you must never neglect the aspect of cleanliness for your guests.
#10 - Old Pillows, Sheets & Scratchy Towels
Nothing annoys guests more than dirty old pillows, sheets, and scratchy towels. All these instantly take away the whole fun and comfort of staying at an Airbnb accommodation. Still, many Airbnb hosts ignore how much it can cast a negative impression on the guests. Decent pillows, sheets, and towels are not that expensive, and you can easily get them changed every year. This will help you ensure a certain cleanliness and hygiene standard at your Airbnb home for all your visitors.
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