Creating ways to enhance your guests’ stay in your Airbnb improves their experience which is better for everyone. And, coming up with add-on services or upsells for your Airbnb is a great way to get more profit from each of your customers.
Some may think of upselling as sleazy or having a negative connotation to it. But, it doesn’t have to feel cheap or annoying. There are creative ways to come up with new upsells that will attract and delight your guests - leading to better experiences and reviews.
What’s important is choosing the right upsells that bring real value to your Airbnb customers, and presenting it in a way where it doesn’t feel like you’re trying to get every last dollar out of each guest.
Let’s explore creative ways to increase your Airbnb profits through upselling.
First off, let’s define what upselling is. Simply, upselling is a sales technique that encourages customers to pay extra for additional services or benefits that will improve their overall experience.
The goal is to offer guests add-ons that will enhance their experience at your Airbnb. You ideally want these upsells to bring them joy so that they’re happy to pay for these extras. Some of your upselling strategies may strongly impact a guest’s experience, and create even fonder memories for them.
You may have heard these terms used interchangeably. While they’re similar, they are actually different sales techniques. Cross-selling involves selling additional products that complement a purchase, and upselling persuades your customers to pay for a better or upgraded version of something.
For Airbnb guests i.e. travelers, coordinating check-ins and check-outs can be a headache. Making this process easy for them is one way to improve their experience from the start.
Killing time waiting for your Airbnb to be available is an awful experience. Simply offering the option to pay a little extra to check-in or check-out at any time dramatically improves this experience. It’s the easiest and simplest upsell you can add to your Airbnb listing.
Figuring out logistics while traveling can be stressful. Figuring out where to go, and how to get from point A to point B can be overwhelming, and is a problem many travelers would prefer not to have.
Offering transportation as a service for your customers can be a nice solution that many guests would gladly pay for. Having it as a simple add-on with their booking is a no-brainer for many travelers looking to get from the airport to their Airbnb. It’s also a nice personal touch that will improve their overall experience.
Maybe the logistics don’t work for you to be there to personally drive them to and from the airport. An alternative could be partnering with a transportation company that can offer them a ride. If you send your guests an affiliate link, you will receive a cut of the cost of the ride if they book it.
Another option would be to rent out your vehicle if it’s available during their stay. Many guests like the option of having a car to use if they need it. Make sure to check your insurance policy and any local laws to make sure there no issues will arise.
Another way to enhance your guests’ experience is to offer sports or rental equipment for them to use. Depending on your location, you may be able to offer a wide range of equipment that will add a fun element to their stay. Here’s a list of ideas to choose from:
A pro tip is to keep your prices for these rentals lower than local shops in the area. If you can make the decision easy for your guests, they’ll happily pay to use the equipment that is already on site.
Similar to renting out equipment, you can partner with local companies offering full blown experiences in your area. Experiences like scenic tours, cooking classes, horseback riding, rock climbing, and wine tastings are all great ideas for partnerships to offer your guests.
There’s so many different experiences you can find to increase the fun for your Airbnb visitors. And, by partnering with local companies, you can earn a percentage of all sales made from your guests.
Many travelers arrive tired and hungry. The last thing many want to do is go shopping for food and drinks. Providing an option to include a fully stocked pantry with all of your guests predetermined favorites is a great touch.
Another option is to stock the pantry and tell guests to help themselves and have them pay for the items they want. This is an easy way to provide the service without them having to make the choice up front.
Travelers often show up at different times and sometimes need to be out and about before or after their stay at your Airbnb. This leaves them forced to pay for a storage locker somewhere that isn’t convenient. Offering to store your guests luggage outside of their time of stay is an easy upsell that is hugely convenient for them.
You don’t always remember to pack everything when you travel. Everyone knows how annoying it is to forget your toothbrush, deodorant, contact case, or other toiletry items. Having these items stocked or available if needed is a nice convenience for Airbnb guests. This situation arises more than you’d think, and having this service available is a nice touch for those in need.
At the end of the day, offering services that customers will pay for will put more money in your pocket. If you’re looking to grow your revenue from your short term rental or Airbnb business, upselling is a great first step. By offering these services to every guest, you stand to grow your profits throughout the year.
Offering your guests these add-on services creates a better experience for them overall. Their enjoyment leads to a better time spent in your Airbnb. This will lead to positive reviews from your guests.
A better Airbnb experience leads to positive reviews which leads to more bookings. Similarly, travelers browsing rental homes in your area often choose listings that have more options and add-ons available over properties with only basic amenities.
We’ve shown you that there are tons of ways to create upsells for your property. Choose the ones that fit your property and make sense for you.
By providing more options to your guests, you’re creating a better experience for them, and making more money in the process. Upselling is a great way to level up your rental home or Airbnb. Get creative and start upselling your property today!
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