Make your vacation rental listing stand out with the “Big 4,” a framework to help you improve your overall performance on our platform and create amazing end-to-end guest experiences.
How to get started
Following the Big 4 and watching these videos will help you get started and optimize your listing for success on our platform.
1. Create quality content
Drive more vacation rental bookings and gain visibility with amazing photos, headlines, and property descriptions.
Post up to 50 photos per listing
Photos can bring your vacation rental to life for travelers searching for that next getaway. Take as many well-lit, high-resolution photos as you can. And don’t forget to show interiors and exteriors, amazing amenities, and scenery! You may also consider adding a virtual tour to give travelers an interactive view.
Showcase your amenities
Travelers use an average of seven filters per search, with a heavy interest in amenities. Maximize the number of times your listing shows up in searches by highlighting all the benefits your property has to offer. Our research shows that the top amenities are kitchen, WiFi, television, and parking.
Keep your content current
Swap out and update your photos, amenities, listing descriptions, and cleaning practices periodically to keep your listing fresh. For example, if you recently started allowing pets at your vacation rental, make sure you update your pet policy to attract more travelers.
2. Set competitive rates
85% of travelers say price is the most important factor when deciding to book a vacation rental.* Our platform’s tools can help guide you in setting competitive prices. Need an introduction to rates and calendar basics? Learn how to manage rates.
Take advantage of MarketMaker
MarketMaker™ is a powerful, personalized tool that pulls in supply-and-demand data from your area to help inform pricing decisions. By providing data such as traveler search trends and rate comparisons, MarketMaker makes it easy to adjust pricing in real time.
Respond to changing market conditions
MarketMaker will provide pricing suggestions based on your goals. If supply or demand suddenly shifts, MarketMaker will guide you to adjust your rates.
You'll need the new calendar-based rates editor to access all features in MarketMaker.
From your dashboard, visit “MarketMaker” to start.
3. Accept and honor bookings
Consider these tips to provide travelers with a safe, reliable, and complete booking experience.
Instant Booking
Turn on this powerful booking tool to let travelers confirm reservations in one click. It’s easy for them and for you — booking details are automatically uploaded to your reservation manager. Plus, you’ll show up in more searches and get an exclusive badge on your listing at no additional cost.
Try Instant Booking
Navigate to “Rules and policies”, then “Booking type”.
Cancellations
Honoring a booking means following through from confirmation to checkout. Maintaining a good track record in this area can result in more bookings for you and eliminate annoying mix-ups for travelers.
From your dashboard, visit “Property”, then “Rules and policies”, and then “Cancellation policy”.
4. Earn great reviews
Look at reviews of all stars and sizes
Learn what travelers thought of their experiences at properties similar to yours. Whether it’s a one-star or a five-star review, there’s always something to learn from traveler feedback.
Deliver experiences that earn five stars
From keeping extra towels handy to providing a welcoming stash of hot tea, what might seem like small gestures may be exactly what your traveler wants — which can lead to amazing reviews and more bookings.
Review your travelers
When you do, we’ll encourage them to review you in return. Learn more about reviews.
From your dashboard, visit “Property” then “Reviews”.
