What’s the big deal about listing accuracy!? The answer is easy, yet far-reaching. Accuracy cultivates honesty & credibility, which builds trust. Said simply, trust is a byproduct of accuracy. This often overlooked, commonly slept on indicator is critical to host’s success, guest’s experience, & mitigating headaches for both. It packs a major punch so let’s unpack it to solidify its significance & understand its impact.
No matter how mainstream STR’s are or may become, trusting a listing’ accuracy is inherent to all guest’s “reservation-making” process. Determining where guests house their families, vacay with friends, retreat for rest, celebrate special occasions, rekindle romance, or recharge & focus during work trips are important decisions predicated on accuracy. Imagine searching & sorting for hours, even days, & finally finding the PERFECT place for your…”maybe” once a year family vacation, romantic getaway with your special someone, or prep space for a promotional work interview. Then imagine, you arrive & learn the printer is out of ink & Wi-Fi speed was overstated preventing you from researching & printing important talking points, the massage table is no longer present & hot tub is malfunctioning for you intimate evening, or the ping pong/billiards table you were going to play with your kids has shotty paddles & warped cue sticks. Best case=a gracious, understanding, optimistic, & resourceful guest is disappointed, but Mr. Rogers-Macgyver’s it & makes due. Worst cast case= you're expected to relocate guests on your dime & diminish/erase your income. Outcome: no bueno, trust is broken, headache becomes migraine, poor rating/review imminent, chance of guest returning little to none, & they will ensure their sphere of influence doesn’t stay with you & maybe never use the booking platform again.
In competition, an archer’s aim is a bullseye; their objective is accuracy. As hosts, we are in competition, too, & our commitment to accuracy should be that of an archer whose aim is a 5 in diameter bullseye from 230 ft away. No matter the obstacle, distance, location, or type of property, the objective to be as accurate as possible should be paramount & never compromised. Those that execute this will excel as hosts, exceed guest expectations, & be more successful!
Consider for a moment, your listing opposite the actual property–do they mirror one another–accurately reflecting all the amenities & details that caused a guest to book with you? Are the pictures that captured your guest’s eye matching what they will see upon arrival? Do the descriptions depict what they will experience during their stay? “Accuracy is the twin brother of honesty; inaccuracy, of dishonesty”--Nathaniel Hawthorne. Is your listing the twin brother of your actual property?
If you have questions or want to maximize your listing in an appealing & accurate way for guests, let us know!
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