*Written by our friends at Airbitics
Introduction
In this day and age, automation helps a lot in short-term rentals. For one, it can help you professionalize your Airbnb. But saving your precious time is its most important selling point.
Let’s admit that running even one Airbnb already requires a lot of your attention. So imagine how stretched you will be once you expand your Airbnb portfolio without it. And scaling up has always been the dream!
Now, let’s talk about how effective this idea is. A pioneering Airbnb hosting guru Sean Rakidzich has greatly benefited from Airbnb automation. In fact, automating his rentals has become so successful that he has scaled up his portfolio to more than 100 Airbnb listings!
Can you run Airbnb remotely, really?
Think of automation as having a personal assistant always on the ground. Add to the equation that this assistant never sleeps!
You can now say goodbye to the hassles of guest communication, check-ins, maintenance scheduling, and other crucial tasks that come with Airbnb management.
All these can be handled by sophisticated systems that don’t require your physical presence. Imagine them being done no matter how far you are from your Airbnb and with just a touch of a button!
And the promise of automation? You can scale up your portfolio seamlessly! As you take on more Airbnb properties, you will not break a sweat – and neither will this software!
Automation is really a game-changer. It lets hosts focus more on what truly matters. And it also makes them confident that their business will thrive. This is possible without spreading yourself too thin as your portfolio gets thick!
With automation, you can bid farewell to being on-site. And you can take your Airbnb business to greater heights!
What Tasks Can Be Automated on Airbnb?
You might be surprised by the number of tasks that can be automated on Airbnb. And as you implement them, your Airbnb management tasks may be down to virtually nothing.
Airbnb Auto Reply
In a world of fast communication, there’s no reason for you to delay your response. It’s especially the case when you’re doing business.
Answering guest inquiries is and will always be a part of Airbnb hosting. Even if a guest only has the slightest interest in your listing, you can expect a question or two from them. A high response rate is among the Airbnb Superhost criteria.
There’s a solution to this tedious and repetitive task! There are Airbnb messaging software such as Host Tools, Hosty, and Smartbnb, where hosts can set up template messages. In Airbnb hosting, guest inquiries are practically the same. Software such as these helps hosts not repeat themselves!
Once the Airbnb message templates are set, the software will automatically send them out! These include:
- Pre-Check-in
- Check-in
- Welcome Message
- Pre-check-out
- Check-out
Plus, these templates are not only limited to the ones listed above. Depending on the common guest inquiries that you receive, you can set up a trigger so these questions are answered promptly!
Airbnb Guest Check-In Automation
Airbnb self-check is a heaven-sent to both hosts and guests. Hosts no longer have to be physically present on their property. On the other hand, guests will never have to wait by the front door anymore.
With a smart lock for Airbnb, guests can arrive at their most convenient time. And you do not have to worry about security. Smart locks have replaceable codes. So you can set another one every time you have a new guest.
Guest onboarding hasn’t been this easy! In fact, you can record a video tour on your property which you can share with guests even before arrival. Highlight the features of your property in video format. You can even include in the video how to operate your most sophisticated appliances, such as your hot tub for Airbnb.
Compliment this video with an Airbnb guest book. Include in this guest book some house rules and recommended restaurants and tourist attractions in your city. This way, you’ve got all bases covered when it comes to guest onboarding!
Airbnb Dynamic Pricing
Setting the Airbnb nightly rate has always been a head-scratching moment for a lot of hosts. Why? Understanding the current demand is crucial in determining the perfect balance of making profit and guest booking.
This is where Airbnb dynamic pricing comes into play. It’s a pricing adjustment strategy for short-term rentals based on real-time market conditions that affect Airbnb demand in your area. Airbnb software companies such as Pricelabs and Wheelhouse have recognized the need to help hosts maximize their profit. They make it possible without foregoing guest booking.
However, a number of veteran Airbnb hosts want to use a more sophisticated tool. They rely on Airbtics Dashboard, where they can see a more in depth look of Airbnb statistics in their area. These include historical and current data such as :
- Airbnb Occupancy Rate
- Airbnb Nightly Rate
- Airbnb Annual Revenue
You can also play around with the Airbtics Advanced filter, so you can check how your direct competitors are pricing their property. With this, you can ensure guest bookings without leaving money on the table.
Airbnb Cleaning Automation
No, you do not need a robotic vaccum for this! You cannot entrust even your floor to it. A robotic vacuum will just miss the nooks and crannies.
Airbnb cleaning automation requires a personal touch by hiring professional cleaners. And the automated part is informing housekeepers about new guests without the need for manual communication. In fact, Airbnb management software such as Hospitable and Zeevu can notify your cleaners should the need arise!
You can also rely on Turno. This software specilizes solely in Airbnb cleaning automation. And if you haven’t found a cleaner in your area, they got you! They’ll also send you a notification every time a cleaner starts and finishes their work. They’ll keep you informed that your Airbnb is squeeky clean and ready for its next guest!
Honorable Mention #1: Stayfi
Are you ready to revolutionize your vacation rental marketing strategy? StayFi is your all-in-one solution for streamlined marketing. It offers essential features to boost guest engagement and increase repeat bookings. This trusted company offers the following benefits:
Unified Data Hub
StayFi eliminates data fragmentation by integrating information from your Property Management System, WiFi, and your own website into a centralized CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. This unified data hub forms the backbone for personalized and targeted campaigns that resonate with your guests.
Email Marketing Excellence
Partnered with Campaign Monitor and Switchback Marketing Agency, StayFi’s email marketing tool allows effortless creation of compelling emails using over 100 pre-built templates. Automation, personalized content, and easy tracking through Google Analytics ensure increased guest engagement.
Text Marketing Powerhouse
Text marketing is a powerful tool in StayFi’s arsenal. In fact, it boasts over 98%+ open rates. Welcome your guests with automated, personalized text messages that enhance their overall experience.
StayFi’s text marketing tool goes beyond mere greetings. This automates review collection by prompting guests for their feedback and encouraging them to share their positive experiences on platforms like Google, Facebook, and your website.
White Glove Service with Switchback Marketing
StayFi has partnered with industry leaders Campaign Monitor and Switchback Marketing Agency to bring you a game-changing email marketing tool tailored for short-term rentals. Craft compelling emails effortlessly using the drag-and-drop email builder and choose from a library of pre-built templates. The power of automation is at your fingertips, enabling you to send personalized content to guests based on their preferences and behaviors.
Track the success of your email campaigns with ease through seamless Google Analytics integration. Address your guests by name and personalize their experience using data collected via WiFi and PMS. The result? Increased guest engagement and loyalty!
Honorable Mention #2: Airbnb Virtual Assistant
It’s not a software, but hiring an Airbnb virtual assistant can save you 100s of hours. While Airbnb automation can handle repetitive tasks, a real person can offer another layer of benefits. For starters, a human virtual assistant can establish a stronger rapport with guests. They can better understand guest concerns and respond in a more empathetic manner.
Compared to automation, Airbnb virtual assistant are better at adapting to unforeseen circumstances. They can adapt better to unexpected situations like last-minute changes, special requests, or emergencies more effectively than automated machines. Lastly, Airbnb virtual assistants can ensure the quality of guest experience by overseeing your short-term rental operations.
Automation can certainly drive efficiency. But just imagine combining the advantages of both technological advancements and human assistance! This dynamic duo can definitely result in a more effective and efficient Airbnb hosting experience!
