5 Proven Strategies To Get More Bookings For Airbnb In Kenya

1. Optimizing your Airbnb listing for success‍

To have a compelling listing on your Airbnb property, consider these tips;

Keep the description brief and highlight what’s important in your property. Avoid repetition.
Describe your space and the experience it offers. Is it a modern uptown house or a cottage in the woods?
Do not oversell or overprice your property. Keep everything upfront and consider including factors that some people might find challenging, e.g. lack of an elevator. Clients love honesty.
Focus on special features that make your space unique. It could be local experiences or amenities that guests can only experience while staying there.

Invest in good photography and only use high-quality photos with the best lighting for your listing. Research by the National Association of Realtors shows that 87% of home buyers found the images online to be very helpful. This shows that a lot of people depend on photos when considering what accommodation to go for.

Giving details about your property is very important. Remember you’re trying to attract clients who have probably never been in that particular area or even the country. They entirely depend on what you say and what they see. You must give the best description. Include features like local attractions, good amenities, and the top-tier hospitality that you offer.

It is also necessary to include any house policies or restrictions you have set in your property in the description. This is to make it clear to the guests before they book that certain behaviors can’t be allowed or tolerated. For example, hosting parties or playing loud music.

2. Targeting the right audience for your Airbnb

Before setting up your Airbnb, you must figure out the type of audience you want to cater to. Is it tourists, businessmen, or families? This will help you know what type of property to invest in and the most strategic location. For example, if you’re looking to cater to families, you know that you should consider homes or bigger apartments with 3 bedrooms or more. If you want to cater to tourists, consider areas with high tourist attractions like the Masai Mara, the Coast, lake Naivasha, and other popular areas in the Rift Valley. If it’s businessmen or women, most conferences and areas that attract wealthy individuals e.g. Embassies, are in Nairobi. Areas such as Kilimani, Westlands, and Kileleshwa are highly profitable since they are safe, offer luxurious spaces, and are easily accessible. You are likely to be successful if you consider these.

Include relevant keywords in the listing description. This will ensure that you attract the right searches. Highlight factors such as the location and the type and size of your space. Include any unique features to it to stand an even better chance of securing guests.

As your business grows, you can consider giving offers or promotions to your guests in certain seasons. Take, for example, the festive season or during a major event like the annual WRC in Naivasha. A lot of people are moving to that area and as an Airbnb owner, you want them to consider staying in your property. It would be advisable to have offers that encourage them to stay there, e.g. slight price deductions.

3. Setting competitive pricing

When determining prices for your Airbnb, the basic factors you should consider are service fees, taxes, maintenance fees, etc. Other factors to consider are the location of the property, the amenities, and the seasons. Properties located in secure locations with good infrastructure and fitted with good amenities are likely to be pricy. Also, prices are likely to go up during peak seasons.

Create a client-friendly pricing system. Consider having occasional offers on discounts for your potential clients in order to stand out and attract more bookings. Also, develop a sensible cancellation policy such as offering refunds to maintain your customers.

4. Delivering an exceptional guest experience for your Airbnb guests

Having proactive communication with your guests or potential guests is very important. This enables you to respond to any inquiries quickly. It also ensures that you do not lose any bookings because you were unavailable. Also, communicate any policies to clients to avoid confusion.
Create a smooth check-in and check-out process. Include self-check-in details in the listing or find someone to receive your guests. Having smart locks can make it easy for guests to check-in. All they might need is an app or a code to unlock the door. You can also appear in person to receive them yourself. Check out instructions you can include, for example, telling your guests to throw trash away, placing the dirty laundry in a bin, how to lock up doors, and where to put back the keys after their stay is over.
You can offer personalized experiences to your guests by inquiring about what they prefer, or anything they might need to enhance their comfort during their stay. You can also offer thoughtful amenities such as toiletry, extra pairs of towels and sheets, and snacks for your guests.
Keep active communication with your guests or have staff who can respond or attend to your guests at any time. This creates a sense of comfort and keeps your guests from being stranded.

5. Positive reviews

Having positive reviews or a high rating on your Airbnb is crucial to your business. Guests love verified hosts or hosts who can guarantee them good experiences. Top-rated hosts or owners equals more bookings hence more profits. This will automatically lead to a successful business.

The only way to attract positive reviews and top ratings is by charming your guests. Exceed their expectations by providing quality services and a comfortable environment tailored to their needs. Being honest with your guests from the start also presents you as a credible host and they get the idea that they can trust you. Lay out all the details of your property in the open so that they can be aware before booking. Attending to your guests when they inquire or present a problem during their stay might also get you positive reviews.

Maintain professionalism at all times and respond to reviews, whether positive or negative. Appreciate your guests for the positive review and promise to attend to the negative ones next time for a better stay. This shows your guests that you recognize their needs and are more likely to come back.

Conclusion

Key strategies to increase booking

Create a compelling listing that is brief and direct to the point. Include high-quality images with good lighting to stand out. Also, add any other important details such as local experiences.
Consider setting fair prices. Even though the market is competitive, don’t be out of touch with reality. Offer discounts once in a while to appease your clients and encourage more bookings.
Offer exceptional and quality services to encourage guests to book with you every other time they are in town. Make regular guests out of your clients.
Earn positive reviews and top ratings by outdoing yourself and exceeding guests’ expectations. You can offer experiences tailored to their needs and other thoughtful gestures such as providing services. Smooth check-in and check-out processes will also earn you a good review.

Always aim to provide even better experiences for your guests. Take into consideration their reviews or any problems they might have presented during their stay. Staying on top of your game will keep you in the business for long.

FAQS

Q: How often should I update my Airbnb listing?

A: Update regularly. Post pictures of improvements, update your prices, and any other descriptions.

Q: How can I promote my Airbnb in Kenya effectively?

A: Invest in marketing. You can use social media platforms, mainstream media, billboards or collaborate with travel agencies for them to recommend your property to their clients.

Q: How can I handle negative reviews on my Airbnb listing?

A: Acknowledge the issue and accept that it is your responsibility to attend to such issues. Give a solution and outline the measures you are going to take to respond to the issue as soon as possible.