How to Convert Your Airbnb Guests into Direct Booking Customers
Imagine this: You’ve just hosted the perfect Airbnb guest. They left a glowing review, followed all your house rules, and seemed like the type of guest you’d love to welcome back. But there’s one problem—if they return, they’ll likely book through Airbnb again, and you’ll be stuck paying those pesky platform fees (ugh!). What if you could convert them into a direct booking customer instead?
Direct bookings allow you to skip the platform fees, build long-term relationships with guests, and even increase your profit margins. In this guide, we’ll walk through how you can turn your Airbnb guests into loyal, repeat customers who book directly through you—while adding some fun along the way!
Why Convert Guests to Direct Bookings?
Let’s break down why switching to direct bookings is such a win:
No Platform Fees: On Airbnb, hosts pay a service fee of up to 3%, while guests pay as much as 14.2%. By cutting out Airbnb, both you and your guests save. That's money back in your pocket!
More Flexibility and Control: Direct bookings give you complete control over your pricing, availability, and cancellation policies. No more worrying about sudden Airbnb rule changes or unfavorable guest policies.
Build Stronger Relationships: When guests book directly, you have the chance to establish a personal connection. They’ll feel like more than just another booking, and you’ll create loyalty that can lead to repeat stays and word-of-mouth referrals.
Want even more tips on mastering your Airbnb business?
Join my mailing list and get exclusive access to insights on maximizing your rental profits! Sign up here!
1. Create a Direct Booking Website That Shines
To convert Airbnb guests into direct bookers, you need an easy-to-navigate direct booking website. Don’t worry—setting up a website doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress offer simple templates that allow you to create a professional-looking site in no time.
Here’s how to create your site:
Choose a Platform: If you’re just getting started, platforms like Wix or Squarespace are user-friendly, and they offer templates specifically designed for vacation rentals.
Booking Integration: Use tools like Lodgify or Hostfully to integrate booking software, handle payments, and manage reservations directly from your site.
Highlight Key Benefits: Make sure your site showcases what sets your property apart—guest reviews, local attractions, and the reasons your space is the best place to stay in your area.
SEO Optimization: Use targeted keywords like “vacation rental in [your city],” “book direct for best rates,” and “no booking fees” throughout your site. This will help your site rank higher on Google, driving organic traffic.
And here’s a pro tip: Keep your booking process friction-free! Guests should be able to easily book with just a few clicks—no complicated forms or confusing navigation.
Need help setting up your website and optimizing your Airbnb business?
I cover this step-by-step in my No Gamble Hosting Blueprint! Check it out here!
2. Offer Exclusive Perks for Direct Bookings
Guests need a reason to book directly through you rather than going back to Airbnb. Here’s how to make it a no-brainer:
Discounts: Offer returning guests a special discount (e.g., 10-15%) if they book directly. They’ll feel like they’re getting a deal, and you’ll still save on platform fees.
Early Check-In or Late Check-Out: Offering this perk can tip the scales in your favor, especially for travelers who appreciate the flexibility.
Personalized Welcome: If a guest books directly, consider adding a small welcome basket with local snacks, a bottle of wine, or other thoughtful touches. A little bit of effort goes a long way toward making the experience memorable.
Make sure to communicate these perks during and after their stay. Let them know that when they book directly next time, they get more value!
Pro Tip: Download my Direct Booking Perks Checklist from the Resource Shop to ensure you never miss a chance to offer an irresistible perk! Check it out here.
3. Build an Email List and Keep Guests Coming Back
Email marketing is your secret weapon for converting past Airbnb guests into direct bookers. It allows you to keep in touch with guests after their stay and send them exclusive offers for their next visit. The key here is to build your email list early and use it wisely.
Steps to Build and Use Your Email List:
Collect Emails During and After the Stay: Create a simple sign-up form that you include in your welcome materials or send in your post-stay message. Guests can sign up for discounts or special offers.
Automated Follow-Ups: Use tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to automate follow-up emails. For example, send a thank-you email with a special discount for their next stay if they book directly through your site.
Segment Your Emails: Personalize your email campaigns based on guest preferences. For instance, families may appreciate an email about family-friendly activities in your area, while business travelers might prefer a promotion for extended stays.
Regular, friendly communication is key to staying top-of-mind with past guests and encouraging direct bookings.
Join my mailing list for exclusive email templates designed for Airbnb hosts! Sign up here!
4. Promote Direct Bookings Throughout the Guest Experience
Your guests are already in your space—they’re the perfect audience to learn about your direct booking options! Here’s how to subtly promote direct bookings:
Welcome Guide: In your welcome guide, include a section that mentions booking directly next time for the best rates. You can even add a QR code linking to your direct booking site.
Signage: Place small, tasteful signs in your home that mention perks like "Book Direct for No Fees and Exclusive Discounts." A framed card on the kitchen counter or in the living room can do the trick.
Post-Stay Communication: After a guest’s stay, send them a message thanking them and offering a discount on future stays—if they book directly through your site.
Want more tools for guest communication?
Check out the Resource Shop for ready-made scripts and templates to save you time! Explore it here.
5. Leverage Social Media to Drive Direct Bookings
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are powerful tools for building awareness around your direct booking options. Here’s how to make the most of them:
Instagram Stories and Posts: Post beautiful photos and videos of your property with captions like “Book directly with us for the best rates and no extra fees.” Highlight perks like discounts, personalized service, and more.
Facebook Ads: Create targeted ads to reach past guests or people traveling to your area. Ads that promote “No Booking Fees” or “Exclusive Discounts” for direct bookings work particularly well.
Pinterest: Use Pinterest to post visuals of your property, local attractions, or blog posts. You can link these posts back to your direct booking site, driving more organic traffic.
Make sure your direct booking link is easy to find on all your social media bios!
Want to master social media for direct bookings?
Check out my course, No Gamble Hosting Blueprint, where I cover social media strategies and more. Sign up here!
6. Use Tools to Streamline Direct Bookings
If managing bookings on multiple platforms sounds daunting, don’t worry—there are plenty of tools designed to help you manage direct bookings efficiently.
Here are some tools to consider:
Lodgify: A platform that helps you manage bookings, payments, and guest communication all in one place.
Hostaway: Another great tool for automating your direct booking process, keeping things simple while you focus on guest satisfaction.
Stripe or PayPal: Use these tools to handle payments securely and easily.
These platforms take the headache out of managing direct bookings and let you focus on growing your business.
Conclusion: Why Direct Bookings Are the Future
Converting your Airbnb guests into direct booking customers is about more than just saving money—it’s about building loyalty, providing a personalized experience, and creating a sustainable business. With the right website, perks, email strategy, and tools, you can easily convert Airbnb guests into lifelong customers who book directly with you time and time again.
Ready to take the leap into direct bookings?
Check out my No Gamble Hosting Blueprint, where I dive deeper into strategies for building a direct booking business and boosting your Airbnb success. Join the course today!
WHAT EVERYONE’S READING…
Stay Focused Blog
I turned a challenging situation into a thriving million dollar short-term rental business. My mission is to prove that anyone can replicate my success with effort and dedication. I am committed to teaching and guiding others to achieve their financial goals.
