3 Airbnb Listing Updates That Will Change the Optics
WHY AIRBNB CLEANING FEES DON’T HAVE TO MAKE OR BREAK YOUR BOOKING
Have You Wondered
“How do I make the pain of extra fees go away?”
We’re talking about a MAJOR pain point for your listing viewer.
It was during one of our consulting sessions that, in real time, one host had to step away to deal with a cleaner who had bailed. So, we got onto a healthy tangent about cleaning services, reliability, and guest expectations. The unfortunate impact of inflation is pairing with the fact that vacation rental guest expectations are evolving—asking for more and begging to pay less. This really bubbled to the surface in 2022 when reporters were analyzing cleaning fees and giving voice to disgruntled travelers:
“...cleaning fees amounted to about 25% of the total price paid. In fact, almost 40% of listings had cleaning fees from 20% to 29.9% of list price. And on a few listings, cleaning fees were higher than the nightly rate.”
In 2023, Airbnb rolled out that new toggle function for travelers to view listings with the total price, including all fees, to filter their search. But, travelers can still see the itemized breakdown at check out and put the breaks on that booking. As a host, you’re still in a pricing game of tug of war to offset your expenses; and if you eliminate the cleaning fee, you have to raise your nightly rate with strong potential of getting priced out of the market—ultimately loosing eyes on our listing.
While PRICING transparency builds viewer trust IN THE BOOKING PLATFORM,
A TOGGLE DOESN’T SOLVE the host’S bottom line pain point
How do you compete with the bad optics of extra fees? Just copy Airbnb—
with trust building.
Give your listing viewers every reason to trust you, one assurance at a time.
Your SHOWCASE OF HOSPITALITY SERVICE will neutralize the shock of EXTRA fees at booking.
ABOVE IMAGE: Luna de La Candela (Photo @junechoiphotos); OPENING IMAGE: Luna de La Candela (Photo @junechoiphotos); MIDDLE IMAGE: Mystic Moon Landing (Photo @chandrawickephotography)
YOUR LISTING IS THE CONCIERGE DESK
When your viewer pulls up your listing, it’s like stepping up to the hotel concierge. From your listing copy to imagery and captions, everything you communicate needs to say WE GOT YOU. The VALUE of your STR hospitality will VALIDATE the fees. Here are a few tips on how to maintain your cleaning fee, while increasing your listing value without having to raise your nightly rate. Everything from extras & low cost amenities to showcasing your team.
(1) SHOW OFF YOUR EXTRAS—LIKE TOWELS
Sounds simple, but this is a detail of generosity that will go a long way, because odds are that your guests have stayed at another rental where the host didn’t even provide enough towels for every guest in the first place. Show your guests the contrast. Snag a hero shot of your towels in surplus, and then…
(2) INTRODUCE YOUR CLEAN TEAM (AND BEYOND)
Spotlight your clean team—after all, they’re the ones prepping all those extra towels! Let your future bookers know you’ve got an entire team supporting their 5-star stay. If you’re on social too, give them the stage when you show off your day-to-day operations. Remind your followers of the hardworking humans behind your top-tier listing—there are jobs feeding families in the very same place travelers are relaxing, which is easy to forget. And, you don’t have to stop there. Spotlight your design team, local support staff and partners.
(3) OFFER COMPLIMENTARY AMENITIES AT BOOKING, SUCH AS OUR “TRAVEL PREP GUIDE" OR “VACAY VISION BOARD”
Our DIY designs are practical and creatively attention grabbing. These low-cost/ high-impact amenities are SO easy to show off in your listing photography too—just upload the digital image you’ve created. The payoff: your viewer has proof that you’re there to support their travel planning even BEFORE BOOKING. This is your chance to transform the discomfort of unknowns into surprise and delight.
“OUR LISTING SET UP AND CURATED AMENITIES ARE THE REASON MY PROPERTY HAS OUT-PERFORMED THE COMPETITION FROM DAY ONE.”
- Lindsey, Luna de La Candela Host
We loved partnering with Venturescape Homes on this STR property, and we’ve loved hearing so much of Lindsey’s success along the way!
IS YOUR STR LISTING STRUGGLING ON ITS BOOKING PLATFORM?
We offer focused listing audits with structured action plans that will hone your STR business marketing strategy, right from the comfort of your own listing page.
have any listing tips of your own?
Do share! The Olive Jar is a community of visionary hosts, always on the look out for ways to elevate their guest experience. And, if this article was helpful, we welcome all the kudos—tell us why!