I had been an Airbnb guest for about 10 years before I decided to start my own Airbnb. I kind of thought I was prepared for this. But running an Airbnb is a long, long list of to-dos that guests don’t really think about. It’s not just: get a place, set it up, write a nice listing description, and organize cleaning.
It’s really more about managing a business and caring about creating an experience that guests will remember.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the basics of Airbnb hosting
- Planning your Airbnb business
- Setting up your Airbnb
- Managing your Airbnb
- Marketing your Airbnb
1. Understanding the Basics of Airbnb Hosting
What is Airbnb Hosting?
Simply put, it’s when you rent out a part of / or your entire home to travelers. These might be people who just don’t like hotels, who are looking for a more personal touch to their stay, or who need extra amenities hotels don’t have (like a kitchen or washer). Sometimes, it’s about finding a cheaper place to stay, especially when we’re talking about renting a room on Airbnb.
But ever since short term rentals became super competitive, Airbnb prices for entire homes (from apartments to houses) have pretty much exploded. So here, it’s really about offering more than hotel rooms while also providing top-notch hospitality. From the moment people look at your listing to the time they check out, everything you do should aim to make their stay memorable.
Why It’s Essential
Ok, so this thing isn’t just about making some extra cash on the side. I’ll be brutally honest with you: it takes lots of work to generate a decent revenue hosting through Airbnb. So your goal should not be an extra few peanuts each month.
if you’re going to put in the work, that means you should really like the aspect of sharing your space and your city with the world. I’ve met people from all over and shared stories over coffee that I never would have heard otherwise. You will honestly learn a ton about customer service and how to manage a small business. Which brings me to another point: you can’t be afraid of the whole business aspect of it.
Legal Considerations
This is where you start: the least fun part. But ticking off legal boxes means you’re setting up your Airbnb the right way (and saves you a lot of hassle in the future). Be sure to get information about zoning laws (I got this from my local town hall).
Also important: permission from landlords (if you’re renting) or homeowner associations. If you’re a homeowner, you have home insurance. But I recommend getting short-term rental insurance as well. Airbnb’s Aircover is notoriously unreliable in reimbursing hosts for guest damages. Short term rental insurance ranges from roughly $1000 to $4000 per year.
This should go in your planning budget when you decide whether or not it’ll be worth going into Airbnb hosting.
2. Planning Your Airbnb Business
Ok, so now that you’ve done some research about all the legal fun, you’ve got to think about your actual business plan. There are a lot of factors (and price tags) to consider before starting an Airbnb, but having a solid plan will save you from many headaches. The first time I set up my listing, I overlooked simple things like dynamic pricing.
Market Research
Who are your competitors? What are they offering? How much are they charging? I booked myself a couple of Airbnbs in my area to understand what guests were getting for their money. This helped me learn from others and improve my offering — not too pricey to scare people off, nor too cheap to undervalue my place.
Choosing the Right Property
I hate to quote realtors here but I have to. Location, location, location—it’s a cliché because it’s true. My first property was a quaint little apartment in a not-so-touristy part of a pretty lively town. It was modern and beautifully designed, but guests often wished it was closer to the action. When I switched to a spot near downtown, my bookings doubled. This will depend on what guests you want to attract, but in my case there wasn’t really much to do in the area the apartment was in. Look for places that are not only nice but also convenient.
Budgeting and Expenses
From furniture to utility bills and the occasional repair, costs can and will add up quickly. I keep a detailed spreadsheet that tracks every penny spent and earned. It’s not the most exciting part of my day, but it keeps me in the black, which is always a good place to be! If you’re smart and serious about hosting, you’ll work out the finances before launching into this Airbnb journey (to see what kind of earnings you’d be looking at).
3. Setting Up Your Airbnb
If the numbers look good to you, the fun part actually begins. I find setting up your Airbnb is the most exciting part of the process. This is where your inner decorator gets to shine (and mine is very passionate about this). Keep in mind that making your space inviting is more than just choosing a couple of throw pillows or reusing some furniture you keep in storage.
Design and Furnishing Tips
I find that being consistent with your interior design is probably the most important rule to remember. I don’t care whether you’re going for a Harry Potter theme or a contemporary look – make sure the theme covers your entire space. I personally like it when the interior design is inspired by local art and culture, my Airbnb features some designs by local artists. Guests love this because it feels authentic. If you’re near a beach, you can totally go for a beach vibe. Cabin in the mountains? You know what to do.
Yes, comfort is key. High quality beds, good lighting, and plenty of charging stations are must-haves. But a special touch can really make your place unforgettable!
Essential Amenities to Include
Wi-Fi isn’t just essential; it’s mandatory. Fast and free internet tops the list of almost everyone’s needs. From experience, I can also say that a “fully equipped kitchen” does not equal a fully equipped kitchen. In almost every Airbnb I stayed in as a guest, these kitchens were missing basic utensils like a colander or a cutting board.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can also consider including little luxuries like makeup towels, complimentary toiletries, or a welcome basket with local treats. These small touches can have a big impact on how guests review your Airbnb.
The best tip I can give you here is: have a friend spend a few nights in your Airbnb before listing it. That way you’ll know what works (or doesn’t), and what might still be missing to make a stay comfortable.
Creating a Compelling Listing
Your listing is your “storefront.” A good listing will make people click on it, and then book it. In that order. That means for you: the picture you chose as a thumbnail, your listing title, and your chosen price will be the first three factors that will lead to someone even looking at your listing in more detail (= goal number 1).
Then, you’ve got to make sure the rest of the content hits home too (pun intended). That will be your listed features, detailed description, reviews, and your profile. I can’t stress enough the importance of high quality photos – that’s what guests will notice first and most care about. The description comes in a close second: it should provide all the necessary details and also tell a story. Why is your place special? What unique experiences can guests enjoy?
4. Managing Your Airbnb
Once you’re up and running, managing your Airbnb can become a full-time gig. I initially thought setting up the place would take a lot of work, and then I’d just be handling a few emails or notifications. But the job also includes overseeing customer service, housekeeping, and even a bit of conflict resolution.
Consider co-hosting and automation tools
If you’re just getting started, I think it’s essential you handle most if not all the tasks yourself in the beginning. This ensures you know your business inside and out, and can then make an informed decision of outsourcing some tasks.
That being said, when you feel you know the gig, co-hosting could be a good option to offload some tasks like guest vetting, cleaner scheduling, routine checks, and customer service. I also recommend using Airbnb’s auto-messaging tools, where you can set up a specific sequence of messages sent to guests who have booked your place. Think: thank you for booking, preparing for their stay, check-in instructions, check-out instructions.
Handling Guest Check-ins and Check-outs
Self-check-in via lockbox or smart lock can be a lifesaver. It gives your guests the flexibility to arrive on their schedule and frees you from being on call 24/7. Just ensure you’re available via phone or message in case they hit a snag.
Maintaining Your Property
Regular maintenance not only keeps your property in top shape but also ensures guest safety. I schedule a deep clean and inspection after every few stays to ensure everything is up to scratch. By giving my Airbnb a proper “quality sweep” on a monthly basis, I avoid problems down the road.
5. Marketing Your Airbnb
You’ve set up a killer Airbnb, but now you need people to find it. This is where your marketing savvy comes into play.
Fully Using Airbnb’s Platform
Make the most of Airbnb’s tools—make sure you complete your listing information, your profile, engage with reviews, and use their promotional features. The more active and responsive you are, the more visibility your listing gets. While Airbnb’s algorithm never stays the same, applying common SEO techniques always helps rank better in searches.
Beyond Airbnb: Using Social Media and Other Platforms
Now if you want to take it one step further, you can head to social media. Some Airbnbs have a dedicated Instagram, TikTok or Facebook page. You can share behind-the-scenes content, guest reviews, and special promotions. It’s also a great way to connect directly with potential guests. Not everyone will have the time to do this, which is my case at the moment. But I plan to experiment with this in the future.
Gathering and Leveraging Guest Reviews
People love reviews. Everyone will hunt down reviews before investing in anything, a new car, a job, a new pair of sneakers, or an Airbnb. Positive reviews are gold. Encourage happy guests to leave a review by leaving a reminder in your Airbnb or sending a thoughtful follow-up message. And if you get a negative review? There’s only one way to respond, and that’s by being professional. It shows future guests that you’re committed to providing a great experience.
So, what did you think?
Ok, we’ve covered a ton of ground here and that’s just the beginning of your journey. Maybe you should consider this a “should you or should you not” type article. Did all that scare you?
If you take anything from this blog post, let it be this: an Airbnb business is as much about hospitality as it is about business. It’s about creating a space to welcome people and provide a great experience. But it also involves financial calculations, planning, coordination, and conflict resolution.
