How to Book Vacation Rental Guests When You Have No Reviews

Florida recently entered Phase 3 of reopening from the pandemic, which means short-term rentals can once again operate without restrictions. With more travelers booking vacation rentals over hotel stays right now, it’s good news for those in the market for vacation homes for sale in Kissimmee, Florida.

Once you purchase a home to use as a short-term rental property, you’ll need to secure rental bookings to start generating a return on your investment. If you don’t have a property manager to assist you, this can be a challenge since holiday travelers typically rely on online reviews to help them choose which vacation home to rent.

The following suggestions can help you easily book vacation rental guests while establishing yourself as a professional and trustworthy business owner.

Start with Your Holiday Home’s Online Listing

The information you include in your online listing plays a big role in attracting a steady stream of paying guests. If you’re using a third-party site like Airbnb to market your home, it’s important to make sure your listing is accurate. It should describe your home’s unique features and amenities.

It’s a wise investment to create your own professional website to promote your property. This allows you to highlight all the important details of your home for those site visitors who are shopping for the best deal.

Make your website easy to navigate. Visit your site’s pages to make sure there are no issues with your site’s content, images, and videos. Include an About Us page that explains why you’re offering your home as a vacation rental, so your visitors can get to know who you are as a person. And test whether your site is easy to view on a mobile device, since 58 percent of travelers search for rentals on their phones.

Create Social Proof for Credibility and Trust

Social proof shows prospective guests that other people see your home as valuable. But you don’t need reviews on your website to create social proof.

Developing a strong, consistent presence on social media can establish credibility and build trust. Seeing others inquire about your home on social media gives prospects the social proof they need. In addition, Facebook provides an app that will allow your guests to leave reviews on the platform.

Local tourism boards frequently promote vacation rentals in addition to hotels. Getting a listing on one of these sites can be a great way to show potential guests your business is endorsed by the local community. Orlando area vacation home owners can approach these Central Florida tourism boards about getting their properties listed:

  • ExperienceKissimmee.com (Osceola County)
  • VisitCentralFlorida.org (Polk County)
  • VisitLakeFl.com (Lake County)
  • VisitOrlando.com (Orange County) 

Make it Easy and Secure for Guests to Book Your Vacation Rental

Your website and listing need to answer the questions that guests have about your home. The more questions you answer, the more secure guests feel when booking your vacation rental home.

Reassure site visitors that their personal and payment information will be secure when they complete their reservation online. Use SSL encryption on your website to protect the information your guests provide, and include badges and language to let users know their data is safe.

Respond to Questions Quickly

It’s normal for guests to have questions about your home, booking rates, location, and the check-in and check-out process. If prospective guests are reaching out to multiple property owners, responding quickly to any inquiries will position you as a professional and trustworthy choice.

Set up notifications to alert you anytime someone sends you an email or completes an inquiry form on your website. Delivering a high level of service gives your guests a more positive and memorable experience. They’ll let others know about your home and provide positive reviews for future guests.

Team Donovan helps home investors in the U.S. and abroad choose the best property for their needs from the available vacation homes for sale in Kissimmee, Florida. Call us today at (407) 705-2616 to learn which neighborhoods permit short-term rentals so you can turn your vacation home into a profitable rental property.

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