So I’ve seen time and time again. That most people enter the Airbnb space, and make
unnecessary beginner mistakes. These are mistakes such as using generic descriptions and
pictures, inflexible pricing strategies, and untrained cleaning staff.

The 3 strategies I share with you in this article, are going to help you be among the few that
make it past beginner level. So you secure the highest volume of bookings, and Earn on Airbnb.
Look ~ Airbnb in Cape Town is a competitive space, and it is essential that you maintain a
minimum 4.8 star rating on your property.

4.9 star out of five: seen by 300 guests per month->conversion rate of 5% = 15 bookings
4.4 star out of five: seen by 160 guests per month->conversion rate of 1.2% = 1,92 bookings
The above illustrates the difference in results,

Essentially the 4.9 star can raise prices significantly relative to the 4.4 star without sacrificing
occupancy and therefore has the ability to earn far more.

Also Airbnb and other platforms give your listing more exposure when your listing has lots of
good reviews. Not only, is this a factor but guests viewing your listing know that it’s a great
experience and therefore the conversion rate of those viewing your listing is much higher.

Firstly ~ To ensure your property gets high volume bookings.

Your property operations should get waxed to industry standards: This means a professional
and reliable cleaning team

Your cleaning team are not only cleaning your property, but they become the changeover team.
This is because they will arrive right after guests leave, and they can act as the eyes and ears of
your property.

Is the hair dryer missing? Is the shower head damaged? To claim losses off Airbnb you will need
a competent team that can always capture and report damages and losses to you in time.
A cleaning team also ensures that your property is always ready by hotel standards. Your linen
needs to be washed and dried, your bathroom and kitchen needs to be stocked with essential
items for guest readiness.

 

Your team can prove your property is in great condition ahead of timeto prevent complaints that your property was untidy or did not meet expectations
This will invariably save you time and money, and headaches

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Secondly ~ To ensure your property makes good ROI

You need a dynamic pricing strategy

Cape Town is a fast selling tourist city with higher supply, so guest bookings are not as planned out in advance. Pricing needs to adapt to consumer patterns of supply and demand to maximise ROI, so it shouldn't stay stagnant at all. 

 

A strategy I use is knowing Tuesdays have the least demand, and Fridays and Saturdays have the highest demand. Yes, I sell low on Tuesdays and High on Fridays and Saturdays. But to make the most off your bookings. I can sell out both Saturdays and Tuesdays by raising Tuesday prices and offering a four-day stay discount filling up empty space on your calendar with a four day booking. This decreases bad guests, and makes you more money. 

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For this reason it is also important to employ pricing automation to adjust pricing in real time, based on principles of supply and demand. I employ my gobnb software solution that integrates with the Airbnb app, and-it’s crucial you find one that suits the needs of your property.

 

Thirdly ~ to ensure that you attract the right guests

Have a minimum of 2 listings for your 1 property. Yes, you read that correctly two listings. Focus
on two relevant guests groups that your property has the potential to attract.

Business -> Individual / Groups -> Men / Women

Leisure -> Couples/ Families/ Individuals -> big families / small families -> men or women
So for example, you could prepare a listing for business individuals AND Leisure couples.

A business listing will require a good study table, strong wifi connection, some stationary, and a
you can even add a food delivery option.

A leisure listing for couples will require a filled in guide book on local restaurants and activities, a
working smart TV, and some flowers.

But honestly leisure listings are really varied, and require a trained hospitality touch. Cape Town
mostly consists of leisure listings, so it is important to have an interior decorator on site to work
with your property. I work with a professional design team, and we can offer your property, design solutions should you decide to work with us.