As a host on Airbnb, getting consistent bookings can be a challenge. With so many hosts on the platform, it can be difficult to stand out and attract repeat business. The key to success lies in developing a customer retention strategy that funnels guests from bookings on sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com to your direct site.

First and foremost, if you do not have a customer retention strategy, that is the biggest problem. You need to create a direct site that offers guests a personalized experience and incentivizes them to book directly with you. This helps you get consistent bookings without competing with other hosts.

One of the most effective tools for the hotel industry is the loyalty point. By offering loyalty points to guests who book directly with you, you can encourage them to return and increase their spend. According to research:

• 🏖  43% of travelers enrolled in a hotel loyalty program book directly through the hotel’s website, improving the bottom line

• 📈  30%-60% of hotel nights are booked with loyalty points

• 💰 value-add rewards allow hotels to offer a more enticing booking without lowering the average daily rate, improving the top-line

• 💸  loyalty program members return to a hotel 50% more often and increase their spend by a similar amount—an incremental annual per-guest revenue of $405 to $780

The easiest way to setup a direct booking site that issues and accepts bookings is through Carrd, Mailchimp, and the48dots. Here’s a quick guide:

Step 1: Use Carrd template to make a landing page (FREE).

• Simply post 1 image of each property. You will be able to link each page to your direct booking listing on the48dots in the next step

• Note: Carrd is totally free unlike sites like Squarespace or Wix. It doesn’t require a developer. Carrd will also give you a free domain name.

• Tip: To set up a successful direct site, there are a few basics that apply. Every image, from your logo to property photos, needs to be sharp and communicate the vibe of your brand. You need to communicate a personalized experience for guests, so they feel like they are booking with someone they know and trust.

• Example: You can look at this site as an example: Up/Room (we used a free ju.mp domain)

Step 2: Add your listing to the48dots

• Go through this guide to Allow Bookings with Points

• Remember to sync your calendars to Airbnb or any other platform

Step 3: Set up a Mailchimp account (FREE)

Step 4: Have a guestbook to collect email addresses

• At the end of a stay from another platform like Airbnb, let your guests know that if they sign the guestbook you will reward them with points

• Add your guests to your Mailchimp account and keep them up to date with things that are going on in your neighborhood…then, remind them that they can use the points you issued on your next stay!

In conclusion, if you want to get more bookings on Airbnb, you need to develop a customer retention strategy that funnels guests to your direct site. Offer loyalty points and incentives for guests to book directly with you, and create a personalized experience that communicates the vibe of your brand. By doing so, you can attract repeat business and stand out in a crowded market.