*Written by our friends at Fülhaus
Summary
In the competitive landscape of booking sites, design and photography are two proven ways to get discovered, booked and loved. Booking site algorithms favor better photos and higher reviews, and elevated design can unlock higher nightly rates, improve guest experiences and fuel guest marketing efforts through services like StayFi’s email & text marketing solutions.
If you think fast furniture is good enough, in the competitive world of short-term rentals, think again. Design plays a crucial role in attracting guests, increasing bookings, and improving customer reviews. A well-designed listing stands out from the crowd, captivates potential guests, and creates a positive and memorable experience.
Fülhaus, a decade-old turnkey interior design and furnishing service for the vacation rental industry, has recently developed an AI-powered interior design and furnishing platform for vacation rental managers and property owners to achieve better design results and gain a competitive advantage. And the data says it all.
Create an Inviting Space with Thoughtful Furnishing
There’s plenty of data to support the correlation between good interior design and increased property value. A report from The Modern Space shows that it can add 12% on average to a property’s sale price. There’s also considerable evidence that amenities like an in-home gym or a chef’s kitchen can increase a guest’s likelihood to book. The latest data suggests this also extends to the design of a space, down to furniture choices, color palettes, and room layouts. Investing in comfortable, stylish furniture that complements the overall design aesthetic can make a difference to guest experience.
In a recent study by Bankrate of the most popular interior design styles with hundreds of prices on Zoopla, they determined that properties that emphasize this style see on average a 59% increase in property value. A similar analysis performed by Airdna, found that property managers that had designed their rental properties with services like those offered by Fülhaus saw as much as a 63% increase in ADRs (average daily rates) above the local average and 26% increase in occupancy rates.
Photography is Only as Good as the Subject
Aesthetics play a crucial role in attracting potential guests to your listing. Strong photography is highly favored by Airbnb’s algorithm due to its significant impact on the overall guest experience and booking conversion rates. Airbnb’s algorithm aims to showcase listings that are visually appealing and engaging to potential guests. High-quality, well-lit, and professionally composed photographs have a higher chance of catching the attention of users and enticing them to click on a listing. VRBO provides a photography guide right on their website.
“The most important thing is, the first photo in your listing should be three things: professional, different, and eye-catching.”
— Kenneth Purdom, Real Estate Photographer
Additionally, visually captivating images improve the overall user experience on the platform, leading to longer browsing sessions and increased bookings. By prioritizing designs and strong photography, hosts can increase their listing’s visibility, attract more potential guests, and ultimately improve their performance on listing sites.
Experts recommend paying attention to color schemes, textures, and decorative accents that create a cohesive and visually pleasing environment. Strive for a balance between style and functionality, ensuring that your property exudes charm and captivates potential guests right from the first glance. When in doubt, utilize professional photography for improved listing visibility.
Amplifying Your Reach with Email & Text Marketing
In the competitive landscape of vacation rentals, staying connected with guests even after their stay is crucial for fostering loyalty and generating repeat bookings. StayFi’s Email & Text Marketing services offer a powerful tool to maintain engagement with guests long after they’ve checked out.
A well-designed property leaves a lasting impression on guests, making them more likely to engage with follow-up communications. Eye-catching visuals and aesthetically pleasing design elements in marketing emails and texts capture recipients’ attention, increasing the likelihood of them opening, reading, and acting upon the messages. Additionally, consistent branding and design language across all touchpoints, from the property itself to marketing materials, reinforce brand recognition and trust, further amplifying the effectiveness of post-stay marketing efforts.
Trends come and go, but there are tried-and-true designs for furnishing a vacation rental that consistently win over guests
Good design, combined with thoughtful amenities and a memorable guest experience, leads to positive customer reviews. Guests appreciate attention to detail, comfort, and unique touches that set your Airbnb apart. Whether it’s providing local recommendations, offering personalized welcome messages, or incorporating special touches related to the location, the overall design and guest experience can significantly influence reviews. Positive reviews, in turn, improve your booking site reputation, attract more guests, and enhance your overall performance.
