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Your Airbnb listing description plays a huge role in getting potential guests to choose your property. It’s not just a collection of words that describe your short-term rental. It’s a powerful strategy to increase the earning potential of your property investment.
According to Airbnb, detailed listing descriptions enjoy up to 20% more bookings. This proves that if you pay attention to the structure and construction of your listing description, you can increase your rental yields in the coming months.
In this article, you’ll learn about the basic structure of Airbnb listing descriptions – specifically how to write them so guests can visualise their stay. You’ll also get tips to help you highlight the right features to turn views into paid bookings.
Basic Structure of an Airbnb Listing Description
Creating a compelling Airbnb listing requires a well-thought-out description. It’s not just about describing what’s inside the property or where it’s located. It’s about writing it effectively so guests will find the exact features they are looking for and choose to book a stay.
Apart from providing the important details, it’s also vital to construct the description so it flows like a story that’ll captivate the reader.
Here’s a proven structure that’ll guide readers through the highlights of your property.
Short introduction
The introduction should hold a captivating summary of the best features your property has to offer. Highlight the unique selling points (USPs) your target guests are looking for. This includes the property aesthetics and proximity to tourist hotspots, public transport or other amenities.
If you’re writing for a 2 bedroom flat in Covent Garden, this is how you can write it:
“Settle in our charming two-bedroom flat at the heart of London’s Covent Garden, with its bright and modern design. Just a 5-minute walk from West End theatres, this flat is the perfect starting point to access the best shows in the city and iconic cafes.”
Room descriptions
After the introduction, provide a short but detailed description of each room. Focus on the highlights to keep it short – no more than 2-3 sentences per room. Your goal here is to make the guest imagine what it’ll be like to walk around the flat and live there. Don’t forget to include information about the furniture, decor, smart technology, appliances, views and other amenities.
Here’s an example of how you can write the description for the living room: “Relax in an airy living space and lounge on a plush sofa while watching Netflix on a 55-inch smart TV. Enjoy natural lighting from the large bay windows that offer incredible views of the West End theatres.”
For the kitchen, you can write: “Cook your meals in our fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a Nespresso machine and a cosy breakfast bar.”
As for the bedroom, here’s an example: “Each of the two bedrooms has black-out curtains and queen-sized beds where two can comfortably sleep. Both use premium linens and hotel-grade pillows and covers.”
Outdoor areas
If your Airbnb has an outdoor space like a pocket garden, terrace or balcony, highlight this detail. Not all London short-term rentals have this feature. Including it in the description will set your Airbnb apart and elevate its premium quality.
Describe private balconies where guests can enjoy fresh air or small gardens where they can lounge amidst flowers and plants.
For example, “Step out onto the private balcony for your morning coffee while enjoying views of the neighbourhood. The rooftop also has a barbecue grill with tables and chairs for dining out in the open.”
Location details
Conclude the Airbnb listing description by describing the property’s location. If it’s near tourist hotspots, it’s best to include it in the introduction. But you’d want to expound on it further in this section. Mention nearby attractions as well as transportation and dining options.
For instance, “Our flat is located in the midst of artisan shops, cosy pubs and top-rated restaurants. It’s a few streets away from West End theatres and tourist spots like the British Museum, Chinatown and the Piccadilly Circus.”
How to Optimise Your Airbnb Property Description
Following the basic structure will ensure your listing description has everything it needs to convince potential guests to choose your property over the rest. But you can still do things to optimise your property’s description to build trust and set the right expectations.
Here are writing tips you can implement to have a well-crafted listing description.
Write a catchy headline
The headline is the first thing people will see. Make it a catchy one so they’ll be interested enough to read the description you’ve written. Choose words that will resonate with potential guests and create the right first impression.
For example, “Modern 2-bedroom flat with Stunning City Views and a Rooftop Access.”
When writing a headline, always consider your target guests. If it’s business travellers, you’ll want to mention the workspace available in your Airbnb. If you want to target families, mention the proximity to tourist hotspots or amenities like pool access, etc.
Keep descriptions short but clear
While you want the description to be as detailed as possible, keep your sentences short but clear. Most guests are in a hurry and wouldn’t want to read unnecessary details. Focus on the information that’s important to the readers. Ask yourself what details they need to know to make a booking decision that is in your favour.
Also, choose words that the average person can understand. Instead of saying “fibre-optic broadband” write “high-speed internet” so more people will know what you mean. Use bullet points when necessary so guests will see the amenities at first glance.
Align with property photos
Whatever you write in your description should align with the photos you uploaded in your Airbnb listing. For instance, if the living room window shows a view of the city, that’s what you should describe. If you have a small garden, keep the description as close as possible.
You have to remember that guests will also refer to the property photos before deciding to book a stay. If the description does not match with the photos, this will only confuse guests. When you say the unit offers “stunning views” – your photos should show that. If not, guests might question your reliability and trustworthiness. So to avoid negative reviews or wrong expectations, make your descriptions align with the property photos.
Make it readable
The description should be skimmable and inviting. This way, even if guests only have enough time to browse your description, they should be able to get the important information.
Apart from using simple words, you should also break up sentences to keep them short. Paragraphs should also be broken down so you don’t end up with blocks of text. Use bullet points when applicable.
Be creative
Make your description tell a story. Use descriptive words so guests can visualise what it’s like to stay in your property. Tell them how comfortable the place is and what appliances and equipment they can use. Describe how luxurious or modern it is. If you’re marketing your Airbnb as a sustainable property, describe the features that make it an eco-friendly flat.
Focus on giving your property description some personality. This will attract the right people to your flat – specifically, those who know how to appreciate the unique features of the unit.
Stay authentic
While it’s tempting to do so, avoid over-selling the property. Just give the facts and let the features of the Airbnb unit sell itself. Guests appreciate authenticity so keep your descriptions honest and transparent. This will also set the right expectations. It’s better to impress them when they see the property instead of making them feel disappointed.
Instead of exaggerating, focus on the best features of the property – specifically those that resonate with your target guests.
Increase Your Airbnb Property’s Booking Rate
Writing a compelling Airbnb listing description is a powerful strategy to get more bookings. It’s always a good habit to review your property descriptions so you can improve it. Every time you change something in the flat or before the off-peak or peak seasons, look at your descriptions. Make sure they’re updated. Consider the season and check who is most likely to travel. Change your descriptions so they appeal to the right travellers.
By being thoughtful and authentic with your descriptions, you can engage with your target guests and stand out in the competitive rental market in London.
If you need help in maximising the earning potential of your Airbnb, partner with property experts who can help you navigate the private rental market. City Relay is a trusted property management company in London with a high trust rating. We can help you improve your property’s performance so you can enjoy higher rental yields throughout the year.
