Your listing is how guests learn about your home – and in most cases, determines whether or not they choose to book. According to Airbnb:
60% of listing views start with a guest clicking on a photo.
40% of the time when a guest chooses not to book a listing, the last thing they clicked on was a photo.
Good photos can drive up to 20% more bookings, as photos are among the top 3 factors affecting bookings.
But do your images present your home in the best light? Choosing high quality, well-crafted images is crucial for a successful listing. Here are some key things to remember:
Set the scene:
When a home is properly staged, it should highlight the function and beauty of the property so that guests can imagine themselves enjoying it. Make sure it’s clear of clutter – overstuffed bookshelves can just look untidy. Avoid too many props – simple plants or a colourful cushion or two add just enough without overdoing it.
Daylight works best:
Make sure the blinds and curtains are open – but also avoid the washed-out look that could come from too much sunlight. If rooms are dark and not well lit, then add a lamp or two. Use 60-watt "warm” or "bright white” light bulbs, which will brighten a room but still appear soft in photographs.
Use landscape:
Photos in search results and on listings sites are all displayed in landscape. Vertical photos will have to be manipulated and you might lose clarity and quality. Also, make sure you use wide angles fairly to avoid causing distortion or unrealistic proportions. Essentially, the goal is to fill the photograph with just enough balance of floor and ceiling as well as with the contents of the room and to not have any dead space.
Upload the right resolution:
Use photos that are at least 1000px x 700px. When in doubt, a bigger photo is better.
Show off unique qualities:
Guests love staying somewhere with a bit of character – in many cases that’s why they’ve chosen to stay in a rental rather than a hotel. What sets your property apart? Maybe it’s an ornate fireplace or some quirky artwork. Whatever it is, include some close-ups.
Of course, you could always have a professional do it for you. At Host360, our expert team includes professional photographers and marketers so your listing is always impeccably crafted to showcase your home. Contact our team to find out how we can take the hassle out of letting for you.