A step-by-step guide to setting up an Airbnb

I know that this post isn’t for everyone but thought it be handy for anyone looking to start out with Airbnb. Also it is a long one so you may want to grab a cup of tea and some biscuits…..

Thinking of getting onto Airbnb? Here are a few tips which might help you in your journey! 

There are many reasons why someone may be considering putting their property on Airbnb, extra cash flow, spare bedroom, un-used property and list goes on.  A new Airbnb venture will definitely create financial capital – without necessarily requiring any investments on your end. There are a number of roads you can go down to achieve Airbnb success and maximise the potential of your property. They all begin with publishing your first listing, so let’s get stuck in. (Personal I think this is this exciting bit as it brings your vision into a reality). 

I’ve made it easier than ever and have put together a step-by-step guide to take you through the process of perfecting your first listing from start to finish. It keep seem daunting entering the unknown but it’s so much easier than you think especially after you’ve done it a few times. 

First things first, head to airbnb.com and select the ‘add listing’ option in the top right corner of the homepage. You’ll be directed to a form prompting you to fill in the most general criteria of your place. Take note that you can only complete this first form after creating an account, so it may be more efficient to sign up (or log in) before you begin. If you have not yet signed up or logged in, you’ll be prompted to input your information at this point. Also, I just want to point out that of course there many other online travel agents (OTA) than Airbnb however this is my personal favourite and most user friendly in my opinion. 

Then you will be asked to choose your home type, here they will just ask you what kind of house you are advertising and these options include entire place, private room or shared room. Select the option that best describes the property you are managing. It’s important to make sure that you’re accurately listing your building to make sure that you attract the most appropriate guests for your property. 

Next you will need to choose your number of guests, this is totally up to you and is decided by how many bedrooms and beds that you can offer. This menu allows you to select the maximum number of people that can comfortably fit in your listing. So I would also recommend at least allowing 4 guests, this always seems to be an optimum amount. You want to be able to appeal to the largest possible audience however you need to be mindful, the more guests you can accommodate the more likely you are you going to attract unwanted guests and large parties. So this is something to keep in mind. 

Then we are into choosing the city and location of your Airbnb. Once you have chosen your city Airbnb will automatically give you an estimate of how much you can earn per month based on your listing type, guest capacity and location. Remember that this is just a rough estimate. 

Here, you will be prompted to provide more specific details about your listing. First, you must select the most accurate description of your property type from a list, you just need to chose the one that suits your property the best. Once you’ve chosen your listing type, you’ll need to select a more specific description from a second drop down menu, asking whether it is a house, apartment, room etc. Based on your selection, another menu will appear for you to fill out. As you move along, you’ll provide more information about your listing, including the number of beds and bathrooms, the exact address and the amenities you offer, it is all pretty simple with mostly tick boxes making it quick and efficient.

What is a good point to bear in mind is that to make sure to include every appropriate feature as some guests can be swayed by certain extras or become totally uninterested due to a lack of certain amenities. Keep in mind that at any point you can go back to edit the previous descriptions provided. 

Now we are setting the scene. In this step, you’ll need upload photos of your property and write a description of your property. You will also need to add things such as how available you’ll be throughout their stay, what they can expect of the neighborhood and how they can get around the city. Photos: Regardless of how many you decide to upload, the first 3 are the most important as they frame the window into your listing before users make the decision to click into the post or not. So make sure it always stands out, here is a link to one of my Airbnb’s see how I have makes it stand out from the crowd. https://abnb.me/Brdih9NT3cb I may be biased but we use the best photographers in Oxford, E8 Property Services, they are fantastic and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. https://e8-property-services.business.site

In the description you will need a good summary that covers the major features of your listing in 250 characters or less. People like a bit of personality, so let yours shine through while explaining exactly what it is that makes your place unique. Too much writing looks daunting, so try to break it up; Bullet points and short sentences can go a long way.

You’ll also come up with a name for your listing. You need to make this catchy and stand out, think of the title as your first impression. You want to make those 35 characters engaging enough to capture attention and make it unique enough to stand out. 

Right we are nearly finished, I promise. This final section is broken into three parts: Booking Settings, Calendar and Price.

So in your settings you’ll be able to review Airbnb’s basic guest requirements and can add additional requirements such as requesting the guests ID and/or recommendations from other hosts and no negative reviews. You’ll then set your house rules and provide important details about your home, like whether guests will have to climb stairs or find their own parking. This is to give guests an Ida of what is expected from them. You don’t want to make them too strict so that you put people off but in the other hand you don’t want to be too lineant and attract bad guests.

Then we are into you calendar. To get started, you’ll select how often you’d like to have guests on your property, how much notice you’ll require before your guests arrive and how far in advance they can book your place and how long they can stay. You can also manually update your calendar once your listing is published. Always remember to keep your calendar up to date as otherwise things can get messy. 

Finally we are into the juicy part, choosing your price. Airbnb will give you the option of utilizing their Smart Pricing tool, which will automatically update your prices according to the fluctuations of demand in your area.

You will then be required to set a base price, for which Airbnb will suggest a price based on the information that you’ve provided so far as well as on trends currently shaping the local rental market, such as holidays, increased tourism, and more. It’s important to remain relevant and competitive, so be sure to compare prices of similar Airbnb listings in your area. Next, you’ll set a minimum price, a maximum price and the currency in which you’d like to charge your guests. You don’t need to use Airbnb smart pricing if you don’t wish to, you can manually chose your own set prices, this is my personal preference as it gives you more control. 

You can also add weekly and monthly discounts for long term stays, again Airbnb will give you an idea of what percentages to put here. The last step in the pricing section will be to choose whether you would like to add a 20% discount for your first 3 guests to help you attract travelers and get some initial reviews for your listing. I always do this, even when I achieved superhost. 

Woohoo, if you’ve got this far, thank you! It’s publishing time. When you’ve finished all this and are happy with your listing, you’re ready to be published on Airbnb. Then watching the bookings come in and the pay check grow! 

Thank you so much for reading, I hope this article was helpful. 

Bye for now…. 

Xx