You’ve got a beautiful property that you don’t do much with. Instead of only using it as an occasional vacation getaway, consider renting it out to other people.
Managing an Airbnb isn’t difficult, but there are some things that you need to take care of before you put your listing up. Depending on the area where your business is located, you’ll have a ton of competition.
If you don’t make yourself stand out, you won’t attract many guests. The best way to do this is to make things simple for the guest from the time they sign in to the time that they sign out.
We can help you accomplish this feat. Keep reading to learn everything that goes into owning an Airbnb and keeping it open.
Consider Allowing Self-Check-In
Depending on how many rental properties you own, it will be hard for you to divide your attention among them all. That’s what self-check-in is for. Guests will be able to get in and out of their rooms without having to meet with anyone.
There are two ways that you can go about this. You can use a key lockbox or set up a smart lock system. We recommend the second option.
The way this works is when someone books your Airbnb listing, a code goes to their phone. When they get to the room, all they have to do is enter this code to get in.
Since the guest is the only one with access to the code, it makes it less likely that an unauthorized individual will get in and steal from the property. The app linked to the smart lock won’t only allow people to get in and out of the room.
It will also notify you if someone tries to break in and let you know if your guests are having a hard time gaining access to the property.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
You’re trying to manage a business. You don’t have the time to clean up after each guest. That’s why you need to hire an Airbnb cleaning service to take care of it for you.
Even if you could handle all the cleaning tasks, a professional has more expertise in the matter. They won’t skip over a single detail when they’re sanitizing a room for the next guest. They also have access to cleaning equipment that you might not be able to get.
Manage Your Business Remotely
You don’t want to have to put your vacation on hold because you’re busy managing properties. That means you’ll have to control the ins and outs of the business while you’re on the road.
Some apps will allow you to handle this – for example, easy-to-use booking and invoicing software solutions allow guests to reserve a room on the go (an option best for you: the owner, and them: the customer). You’ll also be able to use tools like this to receive payments and create invoices to send to clients.
You can send tasks to your employees and handle all your maintenance needs with the press of a button. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Stayed Stocked up on Supplies
You’re not going to get good reviews if you allow your guests to run out of toilet paper. At the same time, you can’t always be there to run to the store at a moment’s notice.
The easiest way to keep things stocked is to order your supplies from the internet and have them shipped to your business. Some websites will give you discounts when you get things in bulk.
Be smart when you order these items. You don’t want your things to arrive when there’s nobody there to receive the package. Make sure that you also instruct your staff members and cleaners to let you know when something is about to run out.
You don’t want to wait until the last minute. This is especially true if you’re going the online route. Guests might get a little angry if they have to be without the essentials for a few days.
Find Vendors You Can Trust
Emergencies happen. It doesn’t matter what time of night something goes wrong, your guests will expect you to respond quickly to these urgent matters. If you don’t, they’ll leave a horrible review.
To this end, you’ll need to get in touch with trustworthy vendors that are available 24 hours a day. Hire plumbers, HVAC companies, landscaping services, pest control, and a general handyman.
Invest in Accounting Software
One of the main reasons why businesses don’t go anywhere is bad financial management. If you’re not that great with math, things will spiral out of control fast.
That’s why you should hire a professional business accountant. It might be a little expensive, but it’s cheaper than making costly tax mistakes.
Set Up Automated Messaging
Automated messaging will allow you to establish a relationship with your guests. This software will send personalized notes to people throughout their stay, from the time they book to the time they check out.
Guests will feel attended to without you having to put in much effort or time.
Attract Guests With the Right Amenities
You’ll get the occasional booking with or without amenities. When people need a room, they need a room. We will say that you’ll attract a lot more guests if you do offer special perks.
For example, you’ll miss out on the business travel crowd if you don’t offer high-speed wi-fi and everyone likes winding down at the end of the day by watching TV.
Your Guide to Managing an Airbnb
One of the best ways to make some extra money is by renting out one of your properties. There is a lot that goes into managing an Airbnb.
You need to make sure the rooms are clean. Guests will expect you to tend to all their needs even if you’re operating the place remotely. Follow the steps provided to make staying on top of things easier for everyone involved.
If you’re looking for more ways to make your Airbnb successful, we’ve got you covered. Check out our blog daily for all the latest management tips and tricks.
