Airbnb continues to thrive as the short-term let market booms. According to recent figures from ONS, there were nearly 2.8 million stays equating to 28.9 million nights in short-term lets booked across Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia Group between July to September 2023 alone.
The growth has been fuelled by digital platforms such as Airbnb that make it easier for property owners and managers to advertise rooms or properties available for short-term let. However, ensuring a successful Airbnb business needs more than a presence on such platforms, especially if you are managing multiple properties.
1) Simplify Communication And Automate Processes
Communication with potential guests is key since they are likely to have questions about their stay, and that becomes more challenging with a portfolio. Try to answer as many potential questions as you can in your initial marketing of the property, such as explaining local amenities and transport links.
Response times are also important to avoid a potential guest going elsewhere. Automation can help, such as message templates to send guest information before check-in as well as to answer any FAQs.
Airbnb offers several automated functions, such as Instant Book which allows automatic approval of guests based on the criteria you have set. Options such as self-check-in using smart locks or a secured key safe will also make property management easier where you aren’t on hand to personally welcome guests.
2) Schedule Cleaning And Maintenance
Successful reviews rely on the cleanliness and maintenance of your property. Implementing a reliable scheduling system to coordinate this efficiently is especially important since turnaround times may be tight. It will also help ensure you don’t fall short of guest expectations or inconvenience them with a delayed check-in because cleaning is running late. If you have multiple local properties then a schedule will also help to maximise the efficiency of your cleaning crew.
3) Offer Consistent Amenities and Prompt Responses
Consistency will be important for ensuring guest satisfaction across your portfolio. This applies to everything from amenities to styling and will help to build trust in your reputation as a trusted Airbnb landlord.
When it comes to communication, your obligation lasts beyond the initial booking and is even more crucial once a guest has arrived in case of queries or emergencies. This means being available 24/7 via chat or phone to help.
Follow-up communication can also help solicit a positive review and allows you to address potential issues that may not have been raised during their stay. Adding this to an automated communication process means you don’t forget the last guest even though you may now be hosting your next.
4) Build Relationships With Trusted Service Providers
As well as offering a consistent range of amenities you will also want to ensure that the standard of accommodation is similar across your portfolio. Establishing relationships with trusted service providers – from cleaners to laundry services or maintenance professionals – will help you to deliver a similar customer experience in all your properties. It’s also worth having back-up providers on speed dial. Think of it as your own emergency response team.
5) Adjust Pricing Strategies Based On Market Trends To Optimise Revenue
To make the most income from your property you should keep an eye on what is impacting pricing in your local area and adjust pricing to suit. In peak periods you may want to raise prices to boost revenue, being careful not to impact your occupancy rates. You can do this manually or use dynamic pricing tools to help deliver pricing recommendations based on factors such as market supply and demand, seasonality and special events.
We Can Help
If you would rather leave the management of your Airbnb properties to a specialist, then Progressive Lets are experts in serviced accommodation in Peterborough and surrounding areas. Our focus on Airbnb accommodation is unrivalled in the Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire areas as part of our wider serviced accommodation offering. Get in touch to find out more.
