Details, details, details … that’s how you keep your Airbnb above the puny competition.

Details, details, details … that’s how you keep your Airbnb above the puny competition.



 

Providing four walls and speedy wifi is a great start, kinda… but every other host offers those basics. The little touches are what set you apart.

 

Understanding the pain points of your long-suffering, backpack-burdened, luggage-wheeling guests will allow you “mini-upgrades” that provide outsized value. Your guests will thank their five lucky stars that they picked your Airbnb over the one next door.

 

Remember, for every mini-upgrade you made to your Airbnb, be sure to mention it in your listing text as it could be that one amenity that gets your listing over the edge to a reservation! You can also choose to take one photo of all your value-add mini-upgrades and place it in your photo gallery (towards the end). Your mini-upgrade starts paying for itself before your guest has even hit the road, by saving your guest time during their packing ritual. You make your guest’s life easier, and they reward you with a 5-star review.

 

Take one photo of all your value-add mini-upgrades and place at end of your Airbnb photo gallery.
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Let’s get to it:
Shower Dispenser
If your guests are arriving by plane, having one of these handy-dandy shampoo and soap dispensers in the shower will make you a rock star.

 

We’ve all struggled to fit all the 3-ounce travel bottles into a crappy 1-quart bag because some terrorists had to act a fool. Knowing ahead of time that our shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash needs will be met on arrival turns this packing nuisance into a breeze.

 

Recommendation: 3-chamber dispenser from Amazon and refill it with generic products

 

If you’d like to splurge a bit, purchase bulk mini-shampoo bottles. You know, like the ones you get in hotels.

 
Hanging Luggage Weight Scale
Don’t make your guests bring an item they need to use only once on their entire vacation. Instead, be a host and provide this for them, potentially saving them a potentially pricey and unexpected extra baggage fee at the airport.

 

I can hear some of you now thinking this is too easily stealable. I’m going to bet you that 19 out of 20 guests don’t steal this value-add mini-upgrade. Are you going to punish the 95% in favor of the 5%?

 

Remember, the travel day is always a bit more stressful than normal so help your guest out. Don’t add to the stress. In fact, help them even more by providing the best route to the airport whether that be public transit or a taxi.

 

Pro Tip: Ask your guest to review you a few hours after check-out while they’re in the airport without anything else to do.

 

Recommendation: portable and digital hanging luggage scale will save your guests $$$

 
USB Multi-Charger
To up your stock like crazy, provide for phone-charging needs. Also tablet-charging, mobile-hotspot charging, phone-charger charging … almost every traveler is far down the USB rabbit hole. The beauty of the USB interface is that … it’s universal! So whether your guests are from Canada or the Congo, there’s no adaptor needed.

Recommendation: 4-spot by RAVpower from Amazon and watch the smiles ensue

 

Add a USB multi-charger to your Airbnb listing can take you to the next level!
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Coat Hooks
It’s hard to feel civilized and organized with coats and backpacks strewn all over the floor. Providing your guests with the ability to quickly and easily unpack and get organized in their space will build big value into your listing. A wall-mounted coat rack saves space.

 

If you’re in a tropical environment, these are still essential. All hosts should have coat hooks. They function for day bags, hats, umbrellas, and clothing.

 

Some hosts go with multi-hook rack units, but I like the individual hooks that can be screwed directly into the wall, in whatever pattern you like. Go for the double-hooks – twice the function, same space!

 

Recommendation: A pack of 10 can be bought on Amazon for $11

 
Hair Dryer
A room with a hair dryer is worth $10 per night. As such, a hairdryer will pay for itself in less than two nights, and then you’re in the profit zone. You can also go higher-end for a more durable hair dryer, but don’t go berserk – you’re not opening a salon!

 

Recommendation: ConAir hairdryer is sufficient for 95% of Airbnb guests

 
Cubbies
For most people, traveling is chaotic, a disruption of carefully-cultivated routines. Helping your guests stay organized on the road is one of the best value-adds. It also decreases the chance of forgotten items.

 

Cubbies are a cheap and easy way to lessen this chaos. They can be used to sort everything from shoes, to socks and underwear, to toiletries, to maps and guides, to phones and chargers, and everything in between.

 

Recommendation: 15-space shoe cubby from Amazon works great and costs only $40

 
Honorable Mention: Netflix Subscription
At $13 per month and available on multiple TVs, this is a no-brainer. I’m surprised when I enter a modern, updated Airbnb only to find a 10-year old TV lacking Netflix. This happens 50% of the time.

 

I know you’d prefer your guest to spend as much time as possible outside of your space, but don’t miss the forest for the trees.

 

If you don’t have a Smart TV, then providing an HDMI cable is essential so the guest can plug the TV into their own computer.

 

Recommendation: you have the option to buy the older technology (USB to HDMI) or the newer technology (USB-C to HDMI) cable depending on your guest needs

 

What is the most value-add amenity you provide to your Airbnb guest that puts your above your competition? Tell us in the comments!

 

What do you provide to your Airbnb guest that puts your above your competition?
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The post Pimp Your Airbnb: 6 Affordable Airbnb Listing Upgrades appeared first on OptimizeMyBnb.com.
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