If you’ve been hosting on Airbnb for a while, you‘ll want to move up to Superhost status quickly. Why? Because an Airbnb Superhost status will boost your property in search rankings, let you attract more guests, and help increase your earnings quickly.
If you’re determined to grow your rental business with consistently superb service, Airbnb will reward you for it. They’ll recognize you with a prestigious Airbnb “Superhost” badge.
An Airbnb superhost is an experienced, top-rated host who creates outstanding airbnb experiences for their guests. They provide excellent amenities, high-quality service, and an “X” factor that result in unforgettable stays. Airbnb launched the Superhost program in 2016, raising the bar on how hosts employ their hospitality skills.
The company checks host activity every three months to make sure those who do an excellent job are recognized. They display a badge on the Superhost’s listing and profile for site visitors to easily see.
On average, Superhosts earn 22% more than regular hosts. It establishes and builds credibility.
Much like getting verified by someone in authority, getting a Superhost badge confirms your ability to provide reliable and high-quality service to your guests.
In the eyes of prospective clients, a badge brings a sense of safety and security. Remember, they have to choose from dozens, if not hundreds of other hosts when booking vacation rentals. They’ll want to pick out the one who can truly deliver.
A Superhost status comes with perks and privileges. It provides:
Listen as Jon and I discuss ways on how to become a Superhost on Airbnb:
A Superhost status is given to hosts who meet the Airbnb Superhost requirements for the year. You qualify for one if you’ve:
If you’re not (yet) a Superhost on Airbnb, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad host. A Superhost status just means you’ve been able to meet the Airbnb Superhost qualifications.
You’ll need to guard your Superhost status, though. Airbnb can take it away from you if you fail to sustain any of their above criteria. Here’s how you can do just that.
One of the fastest ways to get a minimum of 10 stays a year is to offer an affordable price on your listing. Especially when you’re just starting out, rate your property a little lower than your competitors so you can easily get the bookings you need.
Write a detailed and accurate listing. Be sure your title, description, photos, and captions highlight everything your guests need to know about your property.
Is it close to public transportation? A park? A shopping center? See if you can include a brief travel guide.
Pay attention to your photos, especially the first one you include. It’s the primary thing site visitors notice in search results.
You’ll also want to update your description as necessary, making sure to include details of any worthy amenities — a pocket garden, a soaking tub, or pet-friendly amenities.
Read also: Why Branding Your Airbnb is Critical for Your Short-term Rental
Airbnb takes cancellations seriously and subjects them to penalties. One way to avoid cancellations and scheduling mistakes is by managing your calendar carefully. Make sure it reflects the actual dates when your property will be available, and block off all others that you’ll be away or just can’t host.
On rare occasions like unforeseen events happening beyond your control — natural disasters, government-declared emergencies, travel restrictions — you may cancel without any drawbacks. Those are deemed extenuating circumstances.
You might say ‘Superhost Status’ separates the professional entrepreneur from the amateur.
Because interaction between guests and hosts is important, Airbnb’s algorithms calculate the speed and frequency of your responses. It’s the average amount of time you took to reply to new messages in the last 30 days.
Make sure you don’t miss any incoming messages. Keep the Airbnb app on your phone and be sure notifications are turned on. Airbnb expects Superhosts to respond to messages within 24 hours, but do your best to reply right away. There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer than to have to wait several days to get a response.
If you think you won’t be able to respond quickly enough, hire someone to manage your bookings. You can also use an autoresponder like Smartbnb to automate guest communication.
And remember, always be friendly, polite, and considerate in all your interactions. Once clients make a reservation, encourage them to message you any time they need to.
Be sure you amenities and services live up to what you stated in your listing — with more besides. What makes a Superhost on Airbnb is the ability to deliver a 5-star service to guests every time.
Airbnb has host reliability standards on which you can be assessed by your guests. These include your commitment, listing accuracy, cleanliness, and communication.
Additionally, guests can submit a star rating based on different categories. These are location, amenities, check-in, value, and overall experience, among others.
In each category, you have the golden opportunity to over-deliver. Go through each one, see where you need to do better and where you can keep on improving.
Many Superhosts provide welcome baskets, breakfast goodies, dog-friendly amenities, and take-home treats. Think of delightful touches that you would appreciate if you traveled. Be thoughtful and creative — there are a hundred ways to make your guests smile.
Guest reviews are a great way to attract bookings. Plus, they help you maintain a score of 4.8 or higher on your overall rating.
Keep a guest book handy where renters can leave a review. You can also email them after their stay, message them on Facebook, or provide a link to a form or survey in your email.
And don’t be afraid to say that you’d greatly appreciate a 5-star review. They aren’t likely to give you one if you didn’t deserve it.
If you did a great job and put in the amount and quality work required, your guests will know it and won’t hesitate to recognize your efforts.
As you accumulate positive reviews, post them on your website and social media. They’ll be shining testimonials of your excellent service and the genuine satisfaction you’ve brought your guests.
Ready to learn how we built & operate a $2M/year short-term rental business, operate properties throughout the USA remotely, and acquired 70+ properties without owning any in just 2 years? Attend our free online master class to learn how you can do the same. Click here.
Our reviews are made by a team of experts before being written and come from real-world experience. Read our editorial process here.
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