How to drive repeat Airbnb bookings? 2023 Update

 

2023 is here, and it seems like all the travel trends point out the upcoming busy year and the growing focus on guest experiences. It's a great opportunity to boost your short-term rental brand and grow the number of returning guests, allowing them to book directly with you.

Time to get more repeat bookings via your Airbnb host account!

January and February are quieter months in vacation rentals, so revising your operations, tools, and strategy for your Airbnb properties is a good time. As a host, it's a great period to make sure you are set to drive more repeat bookings this year than ever before.

Ps. If you want to find out how to grow your Airbnb bookings in general (not just the repeat ones), read our practical post here.

We listed a set of actionable tips to help you grow a chance for repeat Airbnb bookings - here they are:


  1. Crucial: make sure the guests love your Airbnb property and experience so much that they want to return right away

It's easy to say, but the key here is overdelivering on the guests' expectations. It doesn't mean you have to spend a crazy amount of money - it's just about focusing on your guest and constant booking/stay/post-stay process improvements.

Some ideas for improving the guest experience:

  • Frictionless, automated check-in and check-out: 

Without any waiting or issues opening a complex lock, you can set a fantastic beginning of a stay for your guest. We at KeyNest created a way for your guests to conveniently pick up and drop off keys from a nearby KeyNest Point without waiting for you to come and hand the keys in person. And the best thing? You can grant key access remotely from your phone but without the need to install expensive smart locks. Find out more about what we do here. 

  • Spot-on guest communication:

Sending a personalised message is always welcome, even if Airbnb already sends an automated one. It shows that you care and want to find out more about the guest and how you can ensure their stay goes perfectly. Setting up some check-up messages throughout the stay help to prevent any bigger issues that could arise.

  • Clear home welcome pack and local tips

A straightforward home manual and tips about the best local cafes, restaurants and attractions are already a standard for most Airbnb hosts. Improve it by including a list of "quiet cafes with fast wifi, in case you need to work and need a change of environment" and "best local routes for an afternoon walk".

  • A local, unique welcome gift

Team up with local companies and provide a unique gift in the form of a local delicacy, locally roasted bag of coffee or organic soap from a manufacturer down the road. Throw in a personalised, hand-written note, and you'll leave a strong impression!


2. Compile a GDPR-compliant database of past Airbnb guests and make sure they remember you and the property

If your guests found you through Airbnb or another portal, remember to ask about their email addresses during the booking process. To collect email addresses in a way that complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you should obtain explicit, informed consent from guests before collecting their data. Practically, what it means is that you have to tell them that their contact will only be used for communication between you and them, won't be passed on to any 3rd party company, and always have the option to unsubscribe from your emails.

Once you create an email database, you can send guests regular news, deals, and discounts, to entice them to book again. Things like a newly set up garden or added amenities in the rooms can turn your pre-summer newsletter into a money-making channel. Consider including pictures that showcase your property during the current season: change pictures for winter and summer. Include any deals, like early-bird summer discounts or holiday specials.

And where to store the emails? If you're just starting, an Excel spreadsheet is enough, but for powerful messaging and customisation options, you can pick one of the email software:

  • Mailchimp (free for up to 500 contacts)

  • ActiveCampaign (starts at $9 per month)

  • MailerLite - good for a solid start, easy to use for non-tech minded hosts, and has the largest free database (free for up to 1,000 contacts)

With customers who have already stayed in your property a couple of times and you know are generally non-problematic, you could consider offering them a direct booking. What do you gain from a direct booking channel (like your own website)?

  • Growing your revenue by avoiding the fees of OTA (= portal that hosts and advertises your listing).

  • Diversifying your channels and proofing your visibility - if your listings ever move down the Airbnb ranking, you will still have your online presence with guaranteed bookings.

Important to note: while booking a guest's stay directly, you are not covered by any insurance/customer service support that you would otherwise receive through booking via Airbnb, VRBO or Booking.com. So, in this case, you're managing the guest with your full responsibility! Ensure to secure an insurance policy, note all the guest details and screen them thoroughly. 

Keeping your keys safe and tracking their status will be important during any guest stay. Use KeyNest to remotely handle the check-ins, but keep a spare set of keys nearby (just in case the guests lose the main key set). Find out more about KeyNest Points for Airbnb guests here.

 
Zuza Chmielewska