A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting an Airbnb Business: Tips for Success

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The Insider @ Houst
Last updated on
December 27, 2022

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting an Airbnb Business: Tips for Success

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Starting an Airbnb business can be an exciting and lucrative venture, allowing you to earn extra income while providing a unique and personalized experience for travelers. However, getting started and navigating the world of Airbnb can be daunting, especially if you're new to the platform. That's why we've put together this step-by-step guide to help you kickstart your Airbnb journey with confidence. From setting up your account to preparing your space and managing guest interactions, this guide will provide valuable tips and insights to ensure your success as an Airbnb host. Let's dive in and discover how easy it can be to turn your property into a thriving Airbnb business.

Table of Contents

A step-by-step guide to starting an AirBNB business

If you're looking for an easy way to earn extra money, then Airbnb is a great option. It's easy and fun, plus there are many benefits.

Airbnb allows people worldwide to rent out their homes or vacation spaces as an alternative to hotels or resorts. You can also use it as another way of traveling and experiencing different cultures by renting out your place while visiting another country or city.

It takes less than 5 minutes to set up an Airbnb listing

To set up an Airbnb listing, you will need to provide the following details:

  • Your name and contact information.
  • The address of your home or apartment.
  • A description of the space (if applicable). For example: "My place is great for couples and solo travellers who want something unique but don't want to pay too much money!"

This can be done in less than 5 minutes by going online and signing up for an account with Airbnb. Once you've created your account, all that remains is uploading photos of yourself enjoying your space!

Become a host

You must be at least 21 years old and have a valid ID. To register, you'll need to go through the Airbnb website and provide your address, phone number, and email address. The company charges $5 per listing (or 20% of the total price of your stay), which can be paid using Visa or MasterCard credit cards only.

Organise spare rooms

  • Make sure your spare rooms are ready to go. If you have three spare bedrooms, for example, make sure the beds are made and plenty of bedding for each room.
  • Be prepared for guests who may need more than one night in your house or apartment. You should also have enough towels and blankets on hand if they want to stay longer than anticipated—this is especially important if they sleep over at night!
  • Find out what kind of furniture works best with Airbnb hosts' spaces so that this can be incorporated into their listings as well (i recommend using [this site](https://www.airbnbcom/help/guides), which offers tips about how to decorate).

Clean up

  • You're the host, and you should be prepared for anything.
  • Make sure the place is clean and tidy before guests arrive.
  • Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink; it will make your house look unkempt and unappealing to visitors. Clean up after yourself, too! Leave no trace of yourselves behind, or else they'll feel unwelcome!

Update furniture and fixtures

Update furniture and fixtures

New linens

Smart keyless locks (optional)

Prepare your space. Before you travel, be sure to remove all personal belongings from your room. You can store them safely until you're ready to move in again and bring them back home when it's time for a return visit!

Buy new linens

You'll probably want to buy new linens for your guests. If you're hosting a wedding or other event, get some nice tablecloths, napkins, and placemats. You can also buy pillowcases for the bed if someone wants to sleep on one of those soft hotel pillows that no one ever uses.

If you're going to be staying at an Airbnb yourself (or even thinking about doing so), many things need updating: towels! Pillows! Sheets! Blankets!

If this sounds fun but isn't practical right now, then maybe try setting up an account first so that when someone books your room, they'll see their options listed below their booking request form.

Install smart keyless locks

You can install smart locks yourself, or you can use a professional installer. Smart locks are easy to use and require no special expertise. Once installed, they're convenient because guests don't need keys or codes to enter your home—they just press their phone against the lock's sensor to unlock it!

You may want to consider installing something like [smart keyless door locks](https://www.iphonelocksmithsdelivered24/), which allow you to add a digital keypad onto any door in your apartment complex so that guests have access only when they've been added as members of your family. This feature makes it easier for new arrivals who don't know anyone else yet; however, if multiple parties are sharing an apartment space at any given time (like we did), then having everyone use one common code could cause problems down the road when trying desperately not get locked out during late night trips back home after parties or hangouts with friends/family members outside each others' apartments!

Prepare your space

  • Clean. This is the essential thing you can do before you list your space.
  • Make sure it's safe for guests. You want to ensure that there are no hazards that could cause harm to your guests or damage their belongings, like loose electrical cords or broken glass in an empty room that may be left unsecured after cleaning up and preparing the space for showings.
  • Have everything ready to go when guests arrive: bedding, towels, toiletries, and other essentials should be ready at all times, so they don't have interruptions during their stay as they look around and decide if they want more info on making payments etcetera (more on this below).

Share extra towels and toiletries for guests to use

  • Share extra towels and toiletries for guests to use.
  • Buy additional towels and linens if you have them in stock.
  • Ask your hosts what they recommend—you can also ask at the front desk of your local hostel or hotel or find a supplier online that offers high-quality products at low prices.

Be ready for a surprise visit from Airbnb inspectors

If you're planning on listing your home as an Airbnb, be prepared for the possibility of surprise inspections by Airbnb inspectors. The company does not send its inspectors but hires third-party companies that conduct random inspections. These companies will visit your house and check whether it is suitable for guests.

If there are any issues with the condition of the premises, such as mold or leaky pipes, then they will invite you to fix them before they can list your property again.

List your place

  • Create an Airbnb account.
  • Set up a listing.
  • Accept guests and communicate with them throughout their stay, cleaning up after them as needed.

Connect with guests

To start, you'll need to create a profile. This is where you can tell the world about your home and what it offers.

  • Register on Airbnb.com as well as with Facebook and Google+.
  • Upload photos of your space and details about it (if applicable). You can also add photos of other spaces that are similar or different from yours so potential guests know exactly what they're getting into when booking with you!
  • Add information about your neighbourhood, location, and check-in and check-out times.

Running a successful AirBNB can be frustrating but also rewarding.

If you're going to do this, make sure you have enough time and energy to do it right. It's a lot of work and can lead to burnout if not managed properly.

Airbnb is an easier way to make money while traveling, but it can also be frustrating when things don't go as planned.

Takeaway:

If you're still unsure about how to get started, we recommend starting with a small space. The best way to test the depth of the water is by renting out an Airbnb for just one night. Don't forget that it takes less than five minutes to set up an Airbnb listing for your home or apartment! It's not too late—you can start today!

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

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David
Account Manager

"I have a philosophy in life called keep it simple. I don't live to work, I work to live. This is the first time I've leased this property on Airbnb. A house allows me to have vision of all the revenue and all the expenses associated with the apartment. They work as a well-oiled machine. They strive very hard to keep both myself and the tenants happy."

Jules
Sales Director

"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

Charlotte
Musician

"Houst has been a game-changer for us, enabling my husband and I to expand our property portfolio effortlessly. Their personalised service lets us be hands-off yet fully in control, making property management seamless while we pursue our careers as musicians."

Ahmed
Software Engineer

"Houst has been a game-changer for my Airbnb rentals, significantly boosting my income. Their user-friendly platform and comprehensive management services, covering everything from cleaning to guest interactions, make property management stress-free."

Jim
Construction

"Finding Houst has been like a godsend for my Airbnb venture. It's made the entire process really easy, from the onboarding to managing guests. Their seamless service has enabled me to host successfully without needing to invest my limited time. If it weren't for Houst, I wouldn't be hosting on Airbnb."

David
Account Manager

"I have a philosophy in life called keep it simple. I don't live to work, I work to live. This is the first time I've leased this property on Airbnb. A house allows me to have vision of all the revenue and all the expenses associated with the apartment. They work as a well-oiled machine. They strive very hard to keep both myself and the tenants happy."

Jules
Professional Landlord

"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

David
Account Manager

"I have a philosophy in life called keep it simple. I don't live to work, I work to live. This is the first time I've leased this property on Airbnb. A house allows me to have vision of all the revenue and all the expenses associated with the apartment. They work as a well-oiled machine. They strive very hard to keep both myself and the tenants happy."

Jules
Sales Director

"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post!
If you want my team to just manage your Airbnb for you, just book a call.
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