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Published:
May 17, 2024
Reading time:
5
minutes

Optimize your VRBO listing: How to rank higher

VRBO listing optimization is crucial to being a successful vacation rental host. Your listings directly impact visibility, engagement, and bookings. By optimizing your listings, you'll attract more guests by appearing higher in search results. Well-optimized listings also showcase your property at its best, attracting more potential guests. They also enhance your credibility, trust, and authority on the platform.

We cover key aspects of optimizing your VRBO property listings. We discuss on-platform optimization, boosting your listings, increasing your SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and more. By the end, you'll know more about optimizing your VRBO listings to maximize occupancy rates and revenue.

How do I optimize my listing on VRBO?

Below are four key strategies you can use to optimize your listings on VRBO.

  1. Title optimization

VRBO listing optimization starts from the top. Catchy titles can increase the chances hosts will click to view your property. Mention unique selling points and key features. Use keywords, too, to enhance your listing.

Implementing these strategies can significantly boost your VRBO listing. Doing so will increase visibility, higher engagement, and more bookings. If crafting enticing headlines and implementing keywords doesn’t come naturally to you, you can use a professional vacation rental management service to optimize your listings.

  1. Description optimization

Optimizing your descriptions is vital for your short-term rental listings. Use vivid and descriptive language to highlight your property's unique features, amenities, and nearby attractions. Also, use keywords strategically to increase the chances of your listing being seen.

You should include essential details and special features. Make it clear and engaging. Writing a great property description will enhance your search visibility and entice more guests to book with you.

  1. Photo optimization

Uploading high-quality photos is an absolute must for your listings. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words, and your property photos make or break first impressions.

Professional, well-lit photos showcase your properties in their best light. Detailed images are key. Snap clear images of key areas such as bedrooms, living spaces, and unique amenities. This will help guests envision their stay, making it more appealing and enticing. Great photographs aid credibility and trustworthiness.

Hiring a professional photographer to take regular and possibly drone photos is a good way to stand out from the crowd. The cost is easily covered by the increased occupancy and rates that professional photos will generate. Keybee, with our extensive, hand-picked, STR-specialized photographer network, can help with that, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

  1. Price optimization

Price optimization on your VRBO listings is paramount to maximizing booking rates and revenue. Effective price optimization balances profitability with attractiveness. Setting competitive rates based on informed market research and seasonal demand ensures your property remains attractive.

Adjust your prices regularly to reflect local events, holidays, and occupancy rates. Other methods of getting more bookings include discounts for longer stays or last-minute bookings to fill vacancies.

Using a dynamic pricing tool will make this process much easier. It will automate these adjustments, keeping your rates competitive.

How do I boost my VRBO listing?

There are several key strategies you can use to boost your VRBO listing. Doing so will increase its visibility and attractiveness to potential guests.

The following are some effective methods.

Prompt and professional communication

Responding to your guests' inquiries quickly and professionally is important. VRBO prioritizes responsiveness. Responding promptly to the needs of your guests will increase your chances of securing bookings and improve your platform ranking.

Encourage guest reviews

Getting positive reviews is one of the best things you can do. Utilizing various methods to improve your guests' experience, you'll encourage users to leave positive reviews. High ratings and positive feedback increase your listing's credibility.

Update your calendar regularly

Ensure you keep your calendar up-to-date. Doing so means providing guests with an accurate reflection of your property's availability. This helps avoid double bookings and leaves no guesswork or mishaps for your guests. Furthermore, you show your guests that you actively manage your listings, showing professionalism and care. Consistency in updates like this can also boost your ranking.

Using a channel manager can simplify this process. A channel manager will synchronize your availability across multiple platforms, ensuring consistency and preventing double bookings.

Leverage VRBO’s promotional tools

VRBO offers promotional tools to help hosts. Special offers, discounts, and features highlighted in the listings can attract more attention and enhance your property's appeal, encouraging more bookings.

How do I increase SEO on VRBO?

By effectively using SEO, you'll ensure your listings rank higher in search engine results. This helps attract more potential guests.

Below are three key methods for increasing your SEO on VRBO.

Keyword research

Keyword research is the foundation of SEO. You'll need to identify terms potential guests might use when searching for similar properties. These often include location-based terms such as "studio apartment in upstate New York".

For effective VRBO listing optimization, incorporate these keywords strategically and naturally throughout, including the title, description, and amenities section. This will enhance search engines' capabilities for matching your properties with relevant searches.

However, avoid overused keywords that do not make an impression. Focus on unique and specific terms that accurately describe your property.

Optimizing metadata

Metadata plays a crucial role in effective SEO. Metadata includes the listing title and description. For effective metadata, you must include primary keywords throughout and keep it natural and person-oriented. Also, ensure what you write is engaging and succinct. It should summarize your property and what's unique about it so that it encourages clicks from search results.

Utilizing tags and categories

Properly utilizing tags and categories enhances the accuracy of VRBO's search algorithm when categorizing your listings. When listing, ensure you select the most relevant categories for your property.

Including categories such as:

  • “Beach”
  • “Luxury”
  • “Family-friendly”

For tags, use ones that reflect key features and amenities, such as:

  • “WiFi”
  • “Sauna”
  • “Near Park”

How do I make my VRBO listing stand out?

Below, we list three major points for effective VRBO listing optimization.

1. Unique selling points

One of the best things you can do is to highlight your unique selling points. Emphasize special features. Maybe your property has a private pool or stunning views from the balcony. Also, mention proximity to local attractions or luxury amenities. Include these in your title and description to capture the attention of potential guests.

2. Personalization

Personalizing your VRBO listings will create a welcoming and encouraging persona. Use inviting language in your descriptions. Add personalized touches that best reflect your property's character. Provide local knowledge, insight, and recommendations your guests will appreciate. All this will make your VRBO listing stand out.

3. Exceptional customer service

Providing exceptional customer service will always be paramount to your short-term rental success. Delivering exceptional customer service will help your VRBO listings stand out.

Respond promptly to inquiries and requests. Ensure the property is well-maintained and clean. Address any guest concerns swiftly. In time, you'll garner positive reviews from satisfied guests, boosting your credibility.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the ongoing monitoring and adjusting of your VRBO listings will play a vital role in your vacation rental competitiveness. As discussed, VRBO listing optimization includes many key points and strategies. Implementing these will help you stay ahead of the competition, adapt to market trends, and maintain high visibility and occupancy rates.

Keybee can help. Our flexible, all-in-one vacation rental management service will optimize your VRBO listings. Utilizing every strategy, our professionals will maximize your occupancy rates and profits.

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