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10 Easy Ways To Convert That Enquiry To A Booking

1. Timely responses win bookings

While you are busy doing all the other things that need to be done, someone else responds to an enquiry faster than you and by the time you send the response email, the potential guest has gone somewhere else. We know you are busy and for many of you, being a property manager is something you do in addition to your other job. However our research shows that responding to enquiries within three hours or so is the best way to increase your conversion and keep your occupancy rate high. If you respond within 3 hours, you are 60% more likely to secure the booking.

2. Do your photos sell your property?

People really like to see what a property looks like and they don’t like surprises when they arrive. Make sure that you have great images of your property that really sell the benefits of staying there. Use a high-resolution digital camera and take photos that are realistic, but flattering. Show views, the size of rooms, the decor and the pool, and remember to update your images each year to keep them looking fresh and to show any improvements you may have made. Don’t use zoom or fisheye lenses as guests want to see what the property really looks like, not a digitally enhanced version.

3. Update your calendar

This is something that is talked about time and again when we survey users of the site. There is nothing worse than a calendar that shows availability, but when an enquiry is sent through, the potential guest is told that the property is not available for that date. It makes you (and us) look inefficient and it sends a message that you can’t be bothered to update your calendar, so perhaps bookings aren’t that important to you after all. Please make it a habit to update your calendar daily at the least, and certainly after each booking so that your availability is accurate.

4. Does your listing sell your property?

Have you taken the time to write a listing that sells your property to potential guests? Think about the benefits of staying at your property and make sure that you incorporate them into the listing description. Talk about views, number of bedrooms, proximity to the beach or other relevant attractions, distance from the closest major city the more detail you put in the listing, the easier it is for a potential guest to choose your property over one with less information.

Another plus – we use properties with comprehensive listings in our social media marketing, so if you want to see your property featured in our Facebook and Twitter streams, then polish your listing now!

5. List the amenities you offer – information helps conversion!

Do your have tea and coffee making facilities? Is the property air-conditioned? Do you provide a high chair or portacot? Make the most of the themes and facilities tab and check every box that is relevant to your property. It doesn’t take long and the list will remind you to include facilities that you may otherwise forget.

Our research tells us that full information on sleeping configuration, not just number of bedrooms, but type/size of beds as well, gives a real boost to conversion.

6. Make sure your photos tell the whole story

If your listing talks about three bedrooms but there are only photos of two, then potential guests tend to believe that you have a reason for not having a photo of the third bedroom, perhaps it is small, or dark or has no wardrobe space and so on. Take photos of all your rooms and include exterior shots, particularly if your expansive gardens or sparkling pool are a real selling point. Try to get a good shot of any bathrooms too, but it is generally not necessary to have a photo of the toilet itself!

7. List your rates clearly so guests don’t have to guess

Another thing our research tells us is that properties with clearly listed rates, showing minimum nights, seasonal rates and long weekend/public holiday rates tend to receive more enquiries as the potential guest already knows what it is likely to cost them. You do yourself a disservice by having inaccurate and incomplete rates, as visitors to the site will move on to the next property which does have clear and specific rates, rather than waste their time enquiring for yours.

8. The EasyPay Online Payment System gives guests peace of mind

Make it easy for guests to book and pay by using our EasyPay Service which to takes credit card deposit payments. This will dramatically improve your booking and conversion rates, especially for overseas customers, and you don't need a special bank account.

rent-A-Home is able to process payment for properties that show EasyPay. This means Visitors can benefit from the peace of mind knowing EasyPay funds are held in our registered Trust Account.

EasyPay payments can be made by Credit Card, Debit Card and direct Deposit to our Trust Account.

9. Make the most of guest reviews

We know that visitors to our site like to read guest reviews, because they tell us so! Visitors to takeabreak.com.au are increasingly looking at our guest reviews to help them decide whether a property is right for them or not, based on what others have said. Our Business Breaks website has lots of information on how to encourage guests to leave a comment, as well as a case study illustrating the value of guest comments and how they increase conversion.

10. Let your location sell your property

Have you given enough detail on where your property is located? Have you included regional information and talked about the attractions, those nearby as well as those that would make a great day trip? Information like this helps guests picture themselves staying at your property and also assists them to plan their trip and decide how much time to spend with you. The more information you provide, the better chance that a potential guest will decide to book with you, rather than keep searching.

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If you have any ideas for articles or need assistance listing your accommodation please click the Contact Us menu option and send us your message.

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10 Easy Ways To Convert That Enquiry To A Booking

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