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I am a huge fan of Airbnb, the website that allows you to rent out your room to travelers, for a night, a week or a month. I like the flexibility it offers, and the extra income of course! You can read my full review of Airbnb  here.

Now that you are on Airbnb as well, here are a few Airbnb hosting tips to enhance your add and get more customers. The trick is to rank as high as possible in their search engine, by following a few easy steps:

Airbnb Hosting Tips: Become the Best Possible Airbnb Host

1. Make a compelling profile

Click here to register as an Airbnb host, and earn $50 extra on your first hosting. Make a nice profile with a clear headshot of yourself to invite people to stay with you.

Airbnb  is a social network, where you can update your picture, so put your face, or a couple photo, not an avatar, and add a nice and friendly description about you, what you like, why you want to host, if you are a traveler too…

You can link your Airbnb  account to your Facebook account, that will give you points too and the potential guest will be able to see how many friends you have, confirming that you are  a real person. You can also (and should) confirm your mobile number, so that guests can reach you, that will help your ranking too.

2. Add quality pictures!

In most locations, Airbnb  will even pay for a professional photographer to come and shoot your place. Take them up on the offer! It will also add the ”Airbnb  verified” stamp of approval on your pictures, so that travelers will feel reassured when they book that there will be no bad surprises.

If you have to do it yourself, take the best picture you can, of a clean, tidy and welcoming room.

3. Tell everything

The good, and the not so good (and price your room accordingly). Airbnb  is a community of travelers, and they will rate you after they come and stay with you. So if your place is far from the center, noisy, etc. you should mention it upfront. The last thing you want is a bad reference because you didn’t disclose everything.

Will you provide breakfast? What cool things can one do around your house? Do you have pets, can one smoke, who will share the bathroom with the guests?

Think about anything people may want to know, and you will save time answering emails asking for more info.

4. Start with a low price

You want to build up a profile and get started, the easiest way to get noticed is by pricing lower than your competitors. Check out prices in your area and quality of lodging, and price your place a bit lower. You can raise your prices after you are ranking high and have a few references.

5. Reply quickly

Reply to all emails and inquiries as soon as you can. Ask questions back to your future guests to make sure they will be a good fit (allergies, diet…).

6. Update your calendar

There is an availability calendar on Airbnb . You can update it with the availability of your room or your house, to avoid bookings that you can’t honor.

This will also give you points with Airbnb  and you will rank higher in the search.

7. Ask your friends who are on Airbnb  to add a comment about you.

Even if they didn’t stay with you, they can confirm that you are real and don’t bite. Return the favor.

8. Check the map

On Airbnb, you enter your address and then Google Maps pinpoints it. Make sure that little dot on the map is correctly placed, there is nothing worse than a tired traveler looking for your place for hours.