How To List Property On Airbnb

As a new Airbnb Host, setting up your first listing can be stressful.

Though the setup process for an Airbnb listing is fairly simple, many additional steps must be completed first before taking your first listing live. 

In this article, we cover everything you need to know about listing a property on Airbnb, including how to sign up for the platform, how to optimize your listing, and more.

Read on for a step-by-step walkthrough of creating your first Airbnb listing!

Sign Up For Airbnb

Before you can set up your Airbnb listing, the first crucial step is to sign up for an account.

Signing up for an account on Airbnb is fairly straightforward — all you need to do is go to the main Airbnb website and click Sign Up.

Alternatively, you can download the Airbnb mobile app and sign up from there. When creating your account, you can use any of the following credentials:

• Email address
• Phone number
• Facebook or Google account
• Apple ID
• Naver (for South Korea)

After creating your account, the next best step is to set up your first listing through Airbnb Setup. The Airbnb Setup service provides you with several key advantages that help you kickstart your Airbnb venture, including:

• Superhost Guidance: Airbnb Setup matches you with a Superhost — a highly rated and experienced host — in your local area. This Superhost will guide you through setting up your listings and winning reservations through either a call or virtual chat. 
• Experienced Guests: Through Airbnb Setup, you gain access to a pool of experienced guests with high ratings. You can invite one of these experienced guests to be your Airbnb’s first guest, ensuring your first official stay goes smoothly and that you receive meaningful feedback.
• Specialized Support: New hosts gain specialized support from Airbnb’s Community Support agents. These agents can help you navigate a wide range of potential problems, from account issues and guest conflicts to billing support. 

Create Airbnb Listing

To create an Airbnb listing, you must simply click on your Airbnb profile and select the Host section of your profile. After publishing your listing, it will go live typically within 24 hours, though some listings can take up to 72 hours to begin appearing in the search results. 

When creating your Airbnb listing, make sure to optimize your listing with the following information:

• Accurate and Detailed Description: Provide a clear and honest description of your property, highlighting its key features, amenities, and unique characteristics. Be transparent about any potential limitations or quirks to manage guest expectations effectively.
• High-Quality Photos: Upload high-resolution photos that showcase your property in the best light. Include images of each room, common areas, and any notable amenities. Well-lit and professionally presented photos can significantly impact a guest’s decision to book your Airbnb.
• House Rules: Clearly outline your house rules to set expectations for guests. Include information about check-in and check-out procedures, smoking policies, pet policies (if applicable), and any other rules that guests need to follow during their stay. Clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures a positive experience for both hosts and guests.
• Amenities and Services: List all amenities available to guests, such as Wi-Fi, kitchen appliances, laundry facilities, parking, and any unique features your property offers. Highlighting these amenities helps potential guests determine if your Airbnb aligns with their needs and preferences.
• Local Recommendations: Provide information about the neighborhood and local attractions. Include recommendations for restaurants, shops, and points of interest. This can enhance the overall guest experience and make your Airbnb listing more appealing to travelers looking for a well-rounded experience.

Additionally, regularly updating your listing with accurate availability and promptly responding to guest inquiries or messages contributes to a positive hosting experience. Clear communication and transparency are crucial to establishing trust and ensuring that guests have a memorable stay at your Airbnb.

Set Airbnb Pricing

Now that your Airbnb listing is optimized and ready to go live, it’s time to decide on your nightly pricing model. The Airbnb platform provides Hosts with an incredibly useful tool called Smart Pricing, which automatically adjusts nightly prices based on current demand. 

Additionally, Hosts can also customize specific nightly prices within their calendars.

Here are five key factors to keep in mind when pricing your Airbnb:

• Location: The neighborhood and proximity to popular attractions or amenities greatly influence pricing. Properties in prime or central locations may command higher rates than those in less desirable areas. Consider the demand for accommodations in your specific location and adjust pricing accordingly.
• Seasonality: Seasonal demand plays a significant role in pricing strategy. Prices can vary based on factors such as weather, local events, and holidays. During peak seasons or high-demand periods, you may be able to charge higher rates, while off-peak times may require more competitive pricing to attract guests.
• Property Type and Amenities: The type of property you’re offering and the amenities it includes affect pricing. A fully furnished and well-equipped home with additional features like a pool, parking, or a picturesque view may justify a higher price. Take stock of your property’s unique selling points and adjust pricing accordingly.
• Competition: Analyze the prices of similar listings in your area. A competitive analysis helps you understand the market and set your pricing in line with comparable properties. If your listing offers distinctive features or superior amenities, you might be able to price slightly higher, but staying within the competitive range is crucial for attracting guests.
• Reviews and Ratings: Positive reviews and high ratings contribute to the perceived value of your Airbnb. If your property consistently receives positive feedback, you may be able to justify higher prices. Conversely, if your property has lower ratings or fewer reviews, pricing on the lower end could attract more guests and help build a positive reputation over time.

It’s important to regularly reassess and adjust your pricing strategy based on changes in the market, guest feedback, and other relevant factors to optimize your Airbnb’s performance.

Upload Airbnb Pictures

Capturing appealing photos for your Airbnb listing is essential for attracting potential guests and showcasing your property in the best light. 

Here are X steps for taking beautiful pictures for your Airbnb listing:

1. Start by emphasizing natural light, as it enhances the overall ambiance of your space. Open curtains and blinds to let sunlight flood in, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
2. Focus on decluttering each room to present a clean and organized space. Remove personal items and excess furniture, allowing guests to envision themselves in the space. 
3. Highlight unique features and amenities that set your property apart, whether it’s a cozy reading nook or a well-equipped kitchen.
4. Consider photographing your property from various angles to provide a comprehensive view. Capture wide shots to showcase the entire room and close-ups to highlight specific details. 
5. Aim for consistency in your photo style, using similar lighting and framing techniques throughout the listing.
6. Ultimately, honesty is key. Ensure that your photos accurately represent your property, helping guests make informed decisions and leading to positive experiences during their stay.

Additionally, seasonal touches can add charm, so update photos accordingly. If your Airbnb has outdoor spaces, include images of gardens, balconies, or patios to showcase additional living areas. Don’t forget to photograph any amenities such as a pool, gym, or entertainment spaces.

Update Your Airbnb Calendar

Your Host calendar on Airbnb is where you can set nightly prices and mark your listing as available or unavailable on specific nights. Keeping an updated Airbnb calendar is crucial not only for winning more reservations but also for ensuring your listing is never double-booked. 

To update your calendar from a desktop, all you need to do is follow these three steps:

1. Go to your Calendar
2. Select one or multiple nights
3. Click Open nights or Block nights to edit the availability of your listing

Guests can inquire about certain nights before sending a trip request. However, this inquiry does not automatically reserve the nights for them, making it essential to respond to their inquiry quickly before another guest comes along to claim those nights. 

You can visit the Airbnb Help Center’s page on Updating Your Host Calendar to learn more. 

Update Your Airbnb Booking Policies

As an Airbnb Host, there are a variety of policies you need to know about, including:

• Cancellation Policies: Cancellation policies refer to your rules regarding canceled trips. Airbnb provides you with four cancellation policies to choose from — flexible, moderate, firm, and strict. The flexible policy gives guests until 24 hours before check-in to cancel, while the strict policy requires guests to cancel within 48 hours after booking. Moderate policies gives guests five days prior to check-in to cancel, and firm policies require cancellations 30 days before check-in. 
• Booking Policies: Airbnb has its own booking requirements in place to verify guests before they can successfully reserve a listing. In addition to Airbnb’s booking requirements, Hosts can also set booking policies that require guests to agree to the house rules and verify the guest’s identity upon check-in. While not required, these additional booking policies can help give Hosts greater peace of mind when listing their Airbnb. 
• Rebooking & Refund Policies: Rebooking and refund policies deal with how Host and guests can rebook a stay should a cancellation occur. These are the trickiest policies to set, as there are requirements for both guests and Hosts to follow when it comes to rebooking and refunds. In the case of refunds, a request for a refund can be settled between the Host and guest, or the guest can reach out to to Airbnb to file a claim should a Host refuse a refund. 

Improve Airbnb Search Ranking

To get your Airbnb listing booked and busy, you need to rank highly on the Airbnb search engine. 

Improving your Airbnb search ranking comes down to three key factors:

• Keywords & Phrases: The Airbnb search engine works similarly to Google, relying on keywords and phrases to match guests with their ideal listings. As such, you should research which keywords to use and sprinkle these throughout your listing. 
• High Ratings & Reviews: Highly rated and reviewed listings tend to receive more favorable treatment on Airbnb. Encourage your guests to leave a review after their stay and always respond to reviews, whether they are positive or negative. 
• Create a Detailed Profile: Many guests search for specific amenities, features, and even locations. By creating a highly detailed profile, you ensure all the special elements that make your Airbnb unique are easy for guests to find and search for. 

Final Thoughts

Listing your Airbnb can take time and effort but can be highly rewarding once completed. 

Remember that the key to a successful Airbnb is honesty and clear communication. Guests are sure to ask questions and you need to be ready and willing to answer them.

With that in mind, we wish you the best of luck with your first Airbnb listing!