With 660,000 listings alone in the US, it's no wonder that getting your rental noticed on Airbnb can be tough.
The home-sharing platform estimates how much your property could earn each month, but that's just the beginning. You'll still need to attract guests and then work to ensure they have a 5-star experience during their stay.
So, what does it take to be a top earner or Airbnb Superhost? In addition to offering a clean and comfortable space, you'll need to go above and beyond to ensure your guests have everything they need during their stay. Here are a few tips to get 5-star reviews on Airbnb:
1. Communicate with Your Guests Before They Arrive
Once you have a guest booked, it's essential to communicate with them before they arrive. This means sending a welcome message and providing any information they might need, such as check-in instructions, Wi-Fi passwords, and house rules.
You should also let them know if you will be available during their stay or if they will be dealing with a property manager. This will help set expectations and ensure they are comfortable with the arrangements.
It's a good idea to provide your contact information in case they have any questions or problems during their stay. This will show that you are available and willing to help, which will go a long way in getting a 5-star review.
2. Welcome Your Guests with a Personalized Note or Small Gift
When your guests arrive, they should feel like they are coming home. A great way to do this is to welcome them with a personalized note or small gift. This doesn't have to be anything expensive, but it should be something that will make them feel at home.
For example, you could leave a basket of snacks and drinks for them to enjoy or a gift card to a local restaurant.
See, these value additions in service will give your property a competitive advantage and really make your guests feel appreciated. This is a great way to start their stay off on the right foot and increase the chances of getting a 5-star review.
3. Offer Local Recommendations and Advice
If you have hired a property manager, he/she will be able to provide your guests with local recommendations and advice.
This is a great way to help your guests make the most of their stay and show that you are invested in their experience. In addition, it will help them to feel more comfortable and safe in an unfamiliar place.
4. Be Responsive Helpful, and Generous with Your Time
Whatever day or night, you should be responsive and helpful if your guests need anything. This could be simple: providing directions or recommendations for local attractions.
If you are unavailable, make sure you have someone who can help in an emergency. This could be a property manager, trusted friend, or family member.
Remember, your guests are on vacation and are likely to be more relaxed and forgiving than if they were at home. However, if you are unresponsive or unhelpful, it will reflect poorly in their review.
5. Follow Up after the Stay to Make Sure Guests Had a Great Experience
Unlike a hotel, you will have the opportunity to follow up with your guests after they check out. This is a great way to ensure they had a 5-star experience and thank them for their business.
You could send a handwritten note or an e-mail, or even give them a call. You could also connect with them on social media if you have their contact information.
This is also a good time to ask for feedback and to find out if there were any problems during their stay. If there were, you could take steps to fix the issue and make sure it doesn't happen again in the future.
6. Hire a Property Manager
Chances are, you are an investor and are not living in the property you are renting out. This is where a property manager comes in handy. A good property manager will take care of all the day-to-day tasks, including cleaning, stocking essentials, and being on call in case of any issues. This will free up your time to focus on more valuable tasks such as looking for other opportunities, working on another business, or simply spending quality time with family.
In addition, a property manager will have experience dealing with different types of people and know how to handle any issues that may arise. This will help to ensure that your guests have a 5-star experience and are more likely to leave a positive review.
How to Ask for a 5-Star Review?
If you have provided your guests with a 5-star experience, they will likely leave a positive review without asking.
However, there is nothing wrong with asking for a review; it can be a great way to get honest feedback about your property.
When asking for a review, be sure to do it in a way that is not intrusive or pushy. For example, you could send a follow-up e-mail after their stay and include a link to your listing.
You could also include a review card in the welcome basket or leave a note asking for a review.
Whatever you do, make sure you are respectful and grateful for their business.
Final Thoughts
It's important to remember that not all guests will leave a 5-star review, no matter how perfect their stay was.
If you follow these tips, you will increase your chances of getting positive feedback. And, if you do receive a negative review, take it as constructive criticism and use it to improve your property for future guests.