All products, services, or links mentioned on my website are for products and services that I have personally used and/or recommend. Some of the links are affiliate links. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

7 Things You MUST Have on Your Website

Whether you have your own vacation rental website, or you’re only listed on VRBO or AirBnb, there are some things you MUST include to be successful.

After you’ve read through this list of “7 Things You MUST Have on Your Website”, read “5 Things You Should Have on Your Website”, read – if you haven’t done so already.

Also, be sure to check out my additional tips down below. In these links, I deep dive into some of the items I have mentioned.

Also, visit the Learn With Me page for additional ways to take your marketing to the next level.

#1 Updated Calendar

Frustration is not the first experience you want your potential guest to experience when they are trying to book your vacation rental. I frequently see comments from vacationers who have found the perfect property, but found out the calendar wasn't updated and it was not available for the dates they wanted. Keep your calendar up-to-date and check often that your outside booking calendars are all syncing correctly.
#2 Great Photos

Your photos are what sell your weeks. Don't kid yourself! Spend the extra $400 and get a pro to make your property shine. This is one of the best investments you'll make for your business. Include interior and exterior photos on your website. At a minimum, include photos of each bedroom, living room, kitchen and exterior. If you aren't using all the available space on your listing site for photos, you're missing out on prime internet real estate for your business.
#3 Instant Quotes

Impatience is the new normal. Guests do not want to wait (even 1 hours) to get a quote. Your website must include an instant quote feature or you'll be missing out on bookings. Sure, your rates are listed - that's not what I mean. Guests need a quote for their entire stay that includes the rental amount, cleaning, deposit, taxes, etc. They want a final total or they will move on to a property that can give it to them instantly.
#4 Accurate Description

Provide accurate details about your property. A vague description does not sell; and an inaccurate description will give you bad reviews. For example, if your amenities list says you have a pool, but the pool is located a couple miles away at the rental community headquarters, be sure to make that clear in your description. If guests need to bring their own linens, be sure to include that in the description. Or maybe your beautiful mountain views are only available during the winter months when there are no leaves on the trees. Trying to sell your property with false and misleading claims will only hurt you in the end.
#5 Location

For security reasons, some owners do not provide the exact location for their property until a few days before check-in. However, many guests (including myself) are reluctant to book if the location is not provided up front. Not providing the location smells like a scam. At least provide the general area in your listing of where your property is located. Keep in mind that the large OTAs frequently include listings from several miles away (sometimes 100+ miles away) in the guests' searches. It is misleading and frustrating for the guest who thinks the results are only for the specific area they have searched. Be as specific about your location as you are comfortable with providing in your listing.
#6 Payment Options

The ability to take credit cards is essential. If you are only taking checks, you're probably losing half of your potential bookings. Many guests also like to pay with PayPal. This gives them the ability to link their bank account for payment in instances where they might not have a credit card available. Many owners also accept checks, in addition to credit cards and PayPal. Checks work well when the guest is someone you know. If you have built a relationship with repeat guests, you will want to consider accepting checks from them and thus, avoid paying the credit card processing fees.
Amenities

Do you have a Keurig? Do you provide linens? Is there an outside grill? Do you have a hot tub? Be sure to list your key amenities - the things that make your vacation rental different/special. Mention the key items in your description. Some "lookers" don't click over to the amenities section of your listing, so make sure it's in multiple places on your website.

You don’t want to miss any of my weekly vacation rental management and marketing tips! You’ll also get my FREE Download – 9 Steps to Preparing Your Vacation Rental Business to #BookDirect!

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9 Steps to Prepare Your Vacation Rental Business to #BookDirect

Would you like to take Direct Bookings for your vacation rental, but you don’t know where to start? Evaluate where you are and what steps you need to take to gain back control of your vacation rental business. It’s not as hard as you might think.

Learn what Trendy Hospitality is all about. And learn more about me and why I have such a passion for vacation rental management and marketing.

Additional Tips

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All products, services or links mentioned on my website are for products and services that I have personally used. Some of the links are affiliate links. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

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