10 Proven Airbnb Hacks to Boost Your Bookings and Revenue

Airbnb is an exciting way of transforming a simple rental property into a profitable, easy-to-manage business. But as one of the most popular sites worldwide, making a real impact on your property can be hard.

So, how can you turn your Airbnb front listing page into a prime piece of online real estate? How can you attract more guests? And how can you manage your listing more effectively?

In this article, you will learn ten of the best Airbnb hacks that will help maximize your earnings and fast-track your way into becoming a super host. Each tip is easy to implement and will simplify turning your vacation rental into something extraordinary.

1. Use dynamic pricing

First on our list of Airbnb hacks is dynamic pricing. This revenue model can help you earn more money while maintaining customer happiness. 

Dynamic pricing constantly monitors and uses external factors, such as the current holiday season, recent supply and demand, and nearby events, and adjusts prices accordingly. In simple terms, it maximizes your asking price without seeming unreasonable.

By setting a minimal price, dynamic pricing ensures you’ll never make a loss or take a reservation that won’t earn you a desired return. While Airbnb does have its own ‘Smart Pricing’ feature, many hosts have reported that it has the potential to offer the lowest prices to customers to attract more guests to the website.

While the extra attention is by no means a bad thing, it does come at the expense of the host’s potential earnings, so using external pricing tools and software may be more lucrative. 

2. Work on reducing cancellations on Airbnb

Second on our list of Airbnb hacks is focusing your attention to cancellations. Cancellations mean you’re losing revenue on a potential booking with little time to get another guest.

Too many cancellations not only knock your confidence in using Airbnb but can also negatively affect your listing’s appearance on the website’s searches. The Airbnb site will detect a problem with your property and may not recommend it in as much detail as highly as other options.

So, how can you prevent cancellations? Here are some great tips:

• Regularly update your calendar to avoid double bookings.
• Respond to queries promptly so that guests book with confidence.
• Provide a realistic property description, rules, how many guests, and whether the listing is child or pet-friendly.
• Airbnb has several cancellation policies, some of which can protect you from loss of income. Research each and choose an approach that balances guest flexibility with income protection.

Instant Book is an innovative feature on Airbnb that offers a quick, convenient way for guests to book their stays. Although it can maximize reservations, some hosts have experienced a rise in cancellations, which can be frustrating.

This is partly because of the impersonal nature of the feature, where potential guests might book a property without fully reading its descriptions. Furthermore, hosts lose the opportunity to review a profile before approval and plan a more personalized experience.

3. Personalize each person’s experience

Speaking of personalization, Airbnb hosts can make a lasting impression on guests by making their stay a memorable experience. This step will often set you apart from your competitors. And don’t worry – this is much easier and more practical than you think.

Personalizing a person’s stay is simply finding small ways to make it memorable and show you’ve taken an interest in their life. And it starts by asking your guests beforehand why they’re staying with you. This way, you can plan a nice surprise for them on arrival. 

So, what should you leave for Airbnb guests? One of the most effective ways to do this is by leaving a welcome basket with their names to greet your guests.

Fill the basket with locally sourced goods, treats, or a souvenir to make an excellent first impression and a truly memorable stay. Going that extra mile will make all the difference.

You should also include a selection of brochures tailored to the unique features of their trip. If it’s a romantic break, highlighting great restaurants might be an idea to check out. If they’re sightseeing, share unmissable tourist spots to enjoy or highlight useful amenities like rental car services.

4. Provide cybersecurity and online protection

In this day of remote working, people often work from home. As an Airbnb host, you should ensure that there is sufficient protection in place to secure everyone’s data.

A virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent cybersecurity tool that, when installed on your router, can help protect a person’s online activity from prying eyes. 

So, how does a VPN work? Firstly, a VPN encrypts your internet connection. This means data sent and received will be scrambled, so hackers cannot monitor online activity. A VPN also disguises your IP address, making it seem like you’re elsewhere. This can benefit international guests, in particular, who can stream content from their home country without being geo-blocked.

Advertising that your vacation rental has a VPN can attract guests on work trips or who want to do online shopping, book flights or accommodation during their trip, and more. They’ll know they can use your internet without compromising their cybersecurity.

5. Change how you communicate on Airbnb

Good communication is essential to succeeding on Airbnb. Not only can you help manage expectations, but you’ll build rapport with guests and earn yourself positive reviews that, in turn, generate more bookings.

Thankfully, improving communication is straightforward. Be timely in your replies to queries, and always try to answer in an active, conversational tone. Users will feel that you’re a friendly and approachable Airbnb host.

That said, effective communication is also direct and purposeful. For example, if a user asks you about late check out or time move-in times, don’t dance around the answer, as this can make them unsure, anxious, and reluctant to book with you.

Finally, remember to leave an information booklet at your property that can answer many questions a person might have upon arrival. This booklet may include Wi-Fi passwords, access and alarm codes, curfews, instructions for kitchen appliances, specific house rules to follow, and more. Always leave your contact information in case of emergencies or pressing questions.

6. Be flexible with gap nights

Gap nights are an Airbnb host’s worst nightmare, as your property is vacant between bookings and, therefore, not turning a profit. A great way of changing this around and make money while maximizing your occupancy is by tweaking your listing’s requirements.

You might consider reducing the minimum booking period of your property to one or two nights, which can help attract people who might be over on business or traveling through the surrounding area.

This means that your property has the potential to generate an income on any given day. And with more bookings and reviews, the Airbnb website will reward you by ranking you higher in search results.

If you’re finding it difficult to fill in gap nights, you might consider offering extensions at a discounted rate. Settled guests might be open to spending an additional one or two nights at your property.

7. Target niche demographics on Airbnb

Next on our list of Airbnb hacks is maximizing your earnings by concentrating on niche markets. Because Airbnb is one of the most popular accommodation booking sites worldwide, it can be challenging to stand out from competitors, especially if you’re a new Airbnb host.

Therefore, at least initially, it can be well worth your time and effort to specialize in appealing to niche markets. That way, you can develop a loyal customer base and earn great reviews in the early days. Four niches to consider are:

1. Child-friendly listings

Airbnb is fast becoming a family holiday service, but listings often forget to cater to smaller children meaningfully. A simple way of attracting families to your doors is by providing a child-friendly environment, including toys, play spaces, equipment like baby gates, electrical cover outlets, and more. 

You could also partner with local child-minding services and highlight family-friendly activities in your locality to showcase that your property is suitable for a wide range number of guests and family setups.

2. Eco-friendly listings

By highlighting that you’re a sustainable property, you can attract environmentally-conscious travelers to your Airbnb listing. Simple practices that go a long way include highlighting your recycling policy, reducing waste and washing, avoiding single-use plastics, and using energy-efficient appliances.

3. Large groups

Some Airbnb hosts are reluctant to advertise their rental property for large groups. This could be over fears of anti-social behavior from parties. But this can be a golden opportunity for confident hosts, as larger groups equals larger bookings.

A simple way to cater the host easier to this niche is by providing more sleeping space for guests, such as a sofa bed or bunk beds. Just remember to anticipate more cleaning and preparations if there’s an increase in occupancy.

4. Pet-friendly listings 

Many people who want to travel with their furry friends struggle with finding suitable accommodation. Opening your listing up to pets can be a great way of seizing this often-forgotten cohort of customers.

Boost your Airbnb profile by listing local pet-friendly amenities, parks, and tourist attractions, and consider providing pet-friendly items like food bowls, treats, or bedding for pets to use.

That said, allowing pets requires some planning on your part. Set clear house rules that detail what kind of pets can stay and how many. You should also ensure the property is adequately cleaned between bookings and provide a pleasant stay for the next arrival.

8. Simple tips to improve your listing

Airbnb can be a competitive website where every listing is fighting for exposure. If your property is receiving less and less attention, it may be time to rejig your listing in line with your competition.

Simple but effective tips on improving your Airbnb include these top tips:

• Insert relevant, descriptive keywords into your Airbnb’s title and descriptions. E.g., beachfront, cozy, and modern are great words to highlight your property’s unique aspects while improving your search engine optimization.
• Use well-lit, high-quality photographs to showcase all your property has to offer. Use a variety of shots to create a ‘virtual tour.’
• Always respond to customer questions promptly to improve the response time shown on your profile.
• Only promise what you can deliver – this ensures low cancellations, reasonable expectations, and happy guests on arrival.

You might also consider drawing attention to your Airbnb listing through simple marketing and social media strategies. For the most part, you can all do these for next to no cost.

For instance, as an Airbnb host, you could collaborate with local attractions or services to offer guests discounts in exchange for recommending them in your welcome booklets, helping guests save money while improving their stay.

You can also use social media by posting your Airbnb listing alongside popular travel hashtags or upcoming events to attract potential guests who will no doubt be looking for accommodation.

9. Optimize and organize your Airbnb processes.

Suppose you’re managing multiple Airbnb properties or feeling overwhelmed by the sudden success of your listing. In that case, it can be well worth your time to start automating and streamlining parts of your business.

Automating repetitive tasks can save money and maximize your time to improve other aspects of your property. Simple ways to do this include these Airbnb hacks:

• Flexible check-in and check-out times: Use smart locks or a lock box to allow guests more flexibility during an unexpected late check-in or late check-out.
• Automated messaging: There are a variety of services that can help automate your messaging, including setting reminders, answering frequently asked questions, bringing important house rules to their attention, and asking for feedback. 
• Outsource cleaning: Hire a local cleaning service and sync them with your travel dates so that your Airbnb property always receives a deep clean and is presentable before the next person arrives.

10. Remember to get feedback – and apply it

Positive guest reviews are a core part of succeeding as an Airbnb host, helping to boost your listing and reassure other users that you’re a capable Airbnb host.

Airbnb gives users up to 14 days to review their trip, so see this as an opportunity to grow your presence on the platform and get credit for a job well done.

Simple ways to encourage reviews include setting up a pre-checkout message reminding guests to share their experiences online or sending a follow-up request with your ‘Thank You’ message. 

Airbnb allows hosts to review guests in turn. This can be a great proactive way of getting reviews posted, as by sharing a positive experience online, you can encourage similar feedback in return.

Unlock the Power of iGMS for Your Short-Term Rentals!

Regardless of your focus in the realm of short-term rentals, iGMS provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to elevate every aspect of your hosting experience. Delve into our standout features tailored for both novice and seasoned hosts and property managers:

• Centralize your operations with the Channel Manager, effortlessly managing multiple listings across leading platforms.
• Enhance guest relations using Automated Messaging, equipped with customizable templates for consistent and timely communication.
• Simplify financial transactions and invoicing with Payment Processing, integrating seamlessly with Stripe for smooth operations.
• Boost your property’s reputation and guest loyalty by encouraging reviews through Airbnb Automation.
• Optimize direct guest bookings with the Direct Booking Management Toolset, offering a streamlined experience for both hosts and guests.
• Efficiently coordinate tasks and schedules with Team Management, ensuring your property is always guest-ready.
• Stay ahead with real-time tracking and insights using PROtrack, a feature designed to give you a competitive edge in the market.

Dive into these features and more with iGMS, your comprehensive solution for short-term rental management. Elevate your hosting game and achieve unparalleled success today!