10 Ways to Become a Super Host in the New Year

The New Year is the perfect time to set goals for your vacation rental business. Want to increase bookings? Striving to provide a memorable experience? Make your place a slice of paradise? Get that 5-start rating? All of these goals can be achieved by being a super host and we’ll tell you how!

10 simple ways to go from good host to superhost!

1. Make Sure Your Listing Stands Out

Thanks to sites like Airbnb and Vrbo, listing your vacation rental has never been easier. However, you don’t want to get overshadowed by other properties. Make your listing the gold standard that others look to for inspiration. How? Simply add a catchy listing title, fresh professional photography and an engaging description.

Include your basic amenities as well as any extras you provide. Your listing on Airbnb, Vrbo and other booking sites should paint an enticing and clear picture for guests so they know what to expect from their stay.

Pro Tip: Partner with a local photographer to shoot photos for your listing. Both you and the photographer will be able to share the photos and promote each other’s business. Who knows, you may be able to work in a photo package for your guests!

2. Give the Allure of Luxury

Make sure your vacation rental is equipped with basic amenities so your guests are covered even if they forgot something. Travel-sized toiletries and new toothbrushes are great items to have on hand. Take it a step further and welcome your guests with a well-stocked snack basket.

Upgrade your linens, pillows and towels, keeping things fresh and cozy.

Pro Tip: Keep your vacation rental property crisp and clean. Not only does it make it easier for you to get ready between bookings, it adds a positive energy to the property.

3. Respond to Guests Quickly

In the age of technology, everyone is used to instant gratification; that’s no different in the vacation rental business. Stay on top of your inbox, and respond to messages within 24 hours. Turn on notifications on your booking apps to make sure you never miss a message.

Pro Tip: If you list your property on Airbnb, your response rate needs to stay above 90% to be classified as an Airbnb Superhost.

4. Provide a Safe Space

Have basic safety elements in place - smoke alarms, CO detectors and fire extinguishers inside your vacation rental, and well-lit, evenly surfaced walkways outside. If you have stairs, make sure they have a sturdy railing.

Give guests even more peace of mind by having a smart lock on your vacation rental. Smart locks allow you to set unique codes for each stay.

Pro Tip: Want more safety tips? Check out this list of simple safety enhancements to protect you, your guests and your vacation rental.

5. Have the Right Insurance

Before you start renting out your vacation home, make sure you have comprehensive short-term rental insurance coverage. If you have a standard homeowners or landlord policy and a guest falls during their stay, chances are your policy will not cover the fall. Why? Because it is related to a business activity.

How can you be sure you’re covered? Make sure you have the best vacation rental insurance on the market from CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance (CBIZ VRI). As the industry leader, CBIZ VRI protects you, your property and business income with a portfolio of innovative products. Our insurance experts are here to help you choose the right policies for your needs.

Pro Tip: CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance is the largest insurer of short-term vacation rental properties. CBIZ VRI has the ability to quote and bind coverage as quickly as needed, with coverage starting typically within 1 to 2 business days of a completed application.

6. Avoid Cancelling Reservations

At the start of each year, make sure you mark off any dates your rental will not be available for booking. This will help you keep your calendar accurate, and from having to cancel bookings. You can also use this time to set your rates for the entire year.

Pro Tip: Keep your cancellations less than 1% to become an Airbnb Superhost!

7. Create a Guest Guide

A guest guide is something that is easy to create and something guests are starting to expect. The guide can include anything from sharing house tips and instructions to emergency contacts and even inspiration on what to do during their stay. It’s nice to have the information in one place. Don’t forget to include WiFi information!

Pro Tip: In your guest guide, include local information like hidden gems and late-night eats. Those are always winners.

8. Partner with Local Brands

Build relationships with local businesses for cross-promotion opportunities. Include them in your guest guide, in a welcome basket, on your social media channels, etc. Have them return the favor by featuring your vacation rental property on their social channels and in their newsletter.

Pro Tip: Local coffee shops, wineries, and breweries are great places to start.

9. Keep Your Ratings High

Being a super host and adding extra touches will lead to great reviews. Follow up with guests to have them review your vacation rental property. On Airbnb, review your guests and they will be prompted to review their stay. Reviews provide great insights into what you are doing right and where you can improve. Positive reviews will lead to both repeat and new business.

Pro Tip: To be an Airbnb Superhost, keep your overall rating above 4.8.

10. Get Social

Make sure you have separate social media profiles for your vacation rental property. Having a business profile instead of using your personal account is more professional. This will appeal to travelers who want to feel comfortable they are renting from an established business. Business accounts also give you insights you would not get on your personal page, for example, what times are best for posting and what kind of content performs best.

Social media gives you another avenue to connect with guests by sharing updates and photos throughout the year, as well as comment on and share photos your guests took at your property.

Pro Tip: Create Instagram worthy photo ops in your vacation rental. People are always on the hunt for the perfectly curated, yet natural-looking photo opportunity. Bonus: This creates more guest generated photos and content that you can share! Up your social game even more with these tips.

I’m ready to be a super host!

Follow these 10 tips and you are sure to be a super host this year. Being a super host means more visibility which can lead to more bookings. Yay! However, more bookings also means more risk. That’s why tip 5 is so important. Having the right vacation rental insurance is the smartest choice you can make as a vacation rental property owner who lists on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo.

Protect your property, your contents, your business income and more with a comprehensive short-term rental coverage policy from CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance. Speak to an expert today to compare your current coverage to the unique CBIZ policy. Identifying any gaps in your current coverage is the best way to start your new year and become a super host.