You can scale your business, even an Airbnb business, with a virtual assistant. Hiring a virtual assistant can be crucial to the success of your short-term rental (Airbnb) business.
Moreover, once you reach a certain level, you can no longer handle all the tasks, such as calendar management, communication, scheduling, etc., on your own.
Hiring a virtual assistant could assist you in growing your short-term rental business. One of the best marketing tactics is through positive reviews. But how do you get more reviews on Airbnb?
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is a travel platform that allows guests to rent rooms, homes, and hotel spaces for short-term stays. Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia.
The idea came after they couldn’t afford their San Francisco apartment rent, so they rented airbeds in their living room to people visiting the city.
The company became popular after it received $120 million in funding from Sequoia Capital in June 2011, which valued the company at over $1 billion with an estimated market share of more than 60%.
There are over 3 million listings on Airbnb worldwide, with more than 35 million guest arrivals yearly!
Tips to Get More Airbnb Reviews
Have a clear Airbnb cancellation policy
This should be communicated to your guests before they make the reservation, and it should be easy for them to find on your Airbnb listing.
The value of a clear Airbnb cancellation policy
A cancellation policy is essential and should be transparent to guests and hosts. If you have any refundable deposit, this should be clearly stated in your cancellation policy.
It’s essential to be on the same page as Airbnb regarding cancellations—they have guidelines they expect all hosts to follow. If your policies don’t align with theirs, you’re going against what they’ve put in place for everyone’s benefit (and could get yourself kicked off the platform).
And suppose people feel ripped off because you aren’t respecting their rights as customers or even worse. In that case, you’re cheating them out of money by not giving them their money back after a cancellation—they’ll leave negative reviews about you as well as report what happened (cancellations) directly through Airbnb’s site, so other users know about it before booking with you themselves!
Check in on your guests regularly.
If you can’t check in with them because of a busy schedule or being out of town, consider leaving some welcome goodies like chocolates or wine so they know you’re thinking about them!
Note you can have your virtual assistant make all the arrangements for you.
Check-in with Your Airbnb Guests
- Have a check-in process in place.
- Make sure your guest knows how to get in touch with you.
- Ensure your guest knows where to find the property (if not at an address, then at least an approximate location).
- Also, ensure that guests have all your contact details, including a phone number and email address, so they can reach you if necessary (and confirm these details are accurate).
Bad photos are a turn-off.
Take professional shots of your space, edit them well, and consider how they convey what makes your place unique (maybe even add text!).
If you have poor-quality photos or none, this could be one reason people don’t want to leave reviews for you—they couldn’t see enough detail about what makes your place unique!
Avoid Bad Photos
The photos you put on your Airbnb profile are the first thing potential guests will see when they look at your listing.
They should represent your space accurately and with quality, so it’s essential to have a good photographer take them for you if possible.
You can also use filters, editing software, and other tools to improve the quality of your photos before posting them online.
Provide everything that makes a comfortable experience for everyone at your home.
Clean towels/sheets/mattresses, toiletries (soap/shampoo), kitchen utensils (spoons, forks, plates, cups, etc.), and drinking water bottles, if possible…
Offer a Comfortable Experience
You’ve done everything you can to make your Airbnb listing stand out, but how do you ensure your guests feel comfortable? Here are some ideas:
Provide a Comfortable Experience for Your Guests
- A nice bed, clean sheets, and towels
- Clean the bathroom with toiletries and fresh towels.
- Good lighting, air conditioning, and heating.
- A well-equipped kitchen
Send follow-up messages and respond to their queries (ideally before the guests send a review).
- Follow up with guests after they have checked in
- Respond to guest queries as soon as possible
As a host, sending follow-up messages or emails after the guest has checked in is vital. This will help you establish a good rapport with your guests and give them a better idea of what you can offer.
Any issues with the accommodation should be dealt with promptly so they don’t spoil anyone else’s experience. If something goes wrong and an apology has to be made, ensure it is done professionally without causing embarrassment for yourself or your property owner.
How to get more reviews on Airbnb?
Airbnb is a platform for people to rent their properties to guests. It’s a perfect solution for travelers who want to explore the world but don’t want to stay in hotels all the time.
The company has a review system where guests can rate the property and host. If you get five-star reviews from your guests, you will be more likely to attract more bookings on Airbnb!
Conclusion on Airbnb reviews and how to manage the impact of a review (including bad reviews) and general feedback
Understand the importance of Airbnb reviews.
Firstly, it is vital to grasp the significance of reviews on Airbnb, especially as a vacation rental or Airbnb host.
Reviews are crucial in offering potential guests a glimpse into the experience they can expect when they book your property.
Positive reviews can attract more bookings and increase your revenue, while negative reviews can deter guests from booking your property and damage your reputation as a host.
Prioritize your guest’s experience.
Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the guest experience to ensure a positive experience during their stay at your rental property.
This can include providing amenities, responding promptly to guest inquiries, and addressing any issues or concerns they may have.
Doing so increases the likelihood of receiving positive reviews and high ratings, boosting your Airbnb profile and attracting more guests.
Airbnb reviews can impact your bottom line.
It is also essential to remember that reviews can impact your ability to make bookings on Airbnb, as they affect your overall rating and credibility as a host.
Therefore, it is crucial to address any negative reviews promptly and professionally. This can include reaching out to the guest to resolve any issues they may have had, offering a refund or discount, or taking steps to improve the guest’s experience in the future.
Doing so shows potential guests that you take their feedback seriously and are committed to providing an excellent guest experience.
Get your guests to leave a good comment.
Additionally, it is essential to find ways to encourage guests to leave reviews after their stay. This can include sending a personalized message thanking them for their visit and asking them to leave a review or offering a small incentive such as a credit towards their next booking.
By actively seeking reviews, you can increase the likelihood of receiving positive feedback and improve your overall rating as a host.
The bottom line: How to Get More Reviews on Airbnb?
In conclusion, managing the impact of Airbnb reviews and feedback is essential to maintaining a successful vacation rental business. By prioritizing the guest experience, addressing negative reviews promptly and professionally, and with the help of a virtual assistant and actively seeking reviews, you can increase your credibility as a host, attract more bookings, and ultimately increase your revenue on Airbnb.
Consider using a virtual Airbnb assistant to help you manage your rental property, especially if you have multiple properties or limited time. Don’t hesitate to seek help and support from outsourcing experts to help you manage your Airbnb business and its needs effectively.
I hope you found this article helpful in getting more reviews on Airbnb. You can use a virtual Airbnb assistant to help you manage your Airbnb rental.
Please speak to our outsourcing expert about your short-term Airbnb business and needs. Book your call today!