How to create an Airbnb listing that actually converts: expert tips

If you've been listing your property on Airbnb for a while but haven't gotten as many bookings as you want, then it may be time to take a look at your listing. Creating an Airbnb listing isn't a one-and-done type of task; instead, it actually requires some pretty frequent tweaks to understand what can get more clicks to your listing, as well as what actually encourages customers to finalise bookings.

Follow our expert tips below to get more bookings:

Choose a cover photo that stands out

The cover photo, or hero shot, is the first photo guests see in the search results. A good cover photo helps ensure that a potential customer actually notices your listing among the sea of options, instead of just scrolling past it.

And while a do-it-yourself approach can help cut costs, especially for hosts just starting out, hiring an Airbnb professional photographer can be one of the best investments you can make as a homeowner. Airbnb hosts who use professional photos can actually earn up to 20% more and get 20% more bookings compared to other listings in their area.

Not only do they have better equipment, they also have extensive experience in real estate photography. This means that they know what potential customers are looking for when they browse properties. Photographers can also edit photos to enhance their quality or adjust lighting further, while some even have specialty equipment like drones for cool aerial shots, which can be extremely valuable for properties in a scenic location.

Use a title that highlights your property's best features

You have just 50 characters to use for your Airbnb's title, and you need to be able to use them well. Do some research on short-term rental trends in Australia and check what types of properties are doing well, then use that in your title.

Some examples include:

• Highlighting unique amenities like beachfront or easy access to beach
• Mentioning event names and proximity to venues
• Add some catchy adjectives like "romantic" for couple's homes, "luxury" for high-end short-term rentals, or "convenient/modern" if your property is geared towards business travellers

This helps you to be discovered by your target audience much faster compared to a generic title like "Apartment for 2 in CBD".

Write a description that sells

While you only have 50 characters for the title, you have much more to work with in the description. This is your opportunity to walk potential guests through your property: highlighting key features is essential, but mentioning key Airbnb SEO keywords like easy access to a popular landmark, a stunning view, or unique cultural elements could be what the customer needs to complete the booking. ‍Every word should invite readers to picture themselves enjoying your space and to turn contemplation into action.

Make sure to double-check the tags you've selected for your property, too. This includes:

• The type of property (house, apartment, guesthouse)
• Whether your guests will have the entire space, a room, or a shared room
• The address of your property
• How many guests your property can sleep
• How many bedrooms, beds, and bathrooms your property has
• Airbnb amenities: Wi-Fi, kitchen, parking, smoke alarms, access to gym or pool, and similar.

Not having the correct tags may lead to you being filtered out of the results, even if you ought to be in them, so double-checking is key.

Sort photos by room

A good cover photo may get you the click, but you need more than one to sell your property. Make sure to take photos of:

• The inside of your property, including all rooms individually
• The outside of your property, as well as the surrounding area
• Any standout features in your property (pool, parking, accessibility features)

Hometime tip: Before you take photos, a deep clean and property styling is in order. You can either do this yourself or choose to work with professional cleaners and Airbnb sylists who can make recommendations on changes you can make to improve your property.

It's best to separate the photos by room after you upload them, so customers can have a better idea of what individual rooms look like. You should also add descriptions for each one so you can have more opportunities to convince potential guests. Note that there are two different descriptions for photos:

• Visual description: A description of the actual photo. This helps visually-impaired users and search engines understand your photo
• Regular description: Which you'll find under each photo.

Tweak your pricing

If you've followed the steps above and are getting more clicks but not more conversions, then it might be time to review your Airbnb pricing strategy. Chances are, you may be pricing too high compared to similar properties in your area, and those may be getting booked instead of yours due to competitive prices. While it's tempting to aim high, a more accessible price point can boost your occupancy rate, laying a solid foundation for future success.

Consider using dynamic pricing tools instead of relying on a static price. These automate your pricing based on demand, including events-based surges and seasonality.

Enjoy hands-off earnings with Hometime

If you're still struggling to fill your calendar after these changes, then it might be time to work with a professional manager. When switching from self-management vs professional Airbnb management by Hometime, we often see:

• A 15% average increase in Hometime properties’ occupancy rates compared with the regular short-term rental market in the past two financial years (based on FY24 performance data)
• A 36% improvement in booking conversion thanks to better pricing and guest experience,
• A 9% average revenue increase during peak season

We don't only do listing optimisation. With Hometime's full-service Airbnb property management, you'll also get:

• Property onboarding: We’ll help you set up your short-term rental as quickly as we can so you can start getting bookings ASAP. This includes compliance with new Airbnb rules in Australia whenever they're announced and implemented.
• Dynamic pricing strategy: Hometime’s pricing analysts and market experts will help optimise your revenue while increasing occupancy at the same time.
  
• Airbnb cleaning: We'll find the best cleaners for regular cleans and restocking between stays, paid for using the built-in cleaning fee from the booking. No need to pay out of pocket between guest stays.
• Guest communication and management: We go the extra mile to ensure your guests enjoy every part of their stay, from making the booking, checking in, checking out, and everything in between. This includes taking care of maintenance issues quickly, providing alternatives for late-night arrivals, and even meeting them in person when needed!
• Property maintenance: Hometime’s local Airbnb experts will sort out all your maintenance needs to make both you and your guests happy. We’ll also do our best to get you the best rates for services in the area due to our close relationships with local businesses.
• Hometime also uses its very own property management software that can do it all — from managing bookings, guest management, and even coordinating Airbnb cleaning services. Our dedicated booking platform for guests to increase your visibility, drive more bookings, and rental returns even further.

With Hometime, you get better reviews, more income, and full visibility, minus the stress. Reach out below to know more about how we can help your property earn more: