Your vacation rental business may simply be a fun hobby from which you enjoy some additional income. For others, it’s a serious business you have to make work. Or perhaps you’re one of the hardworking property managers taking the strain off property owners? For all these scenarios, we suggest you invest some time in researching vacation rental technology to its full extent.
The Value of Transforming Your Vacation Rental Management
Did you know you can both increase your revenue and simplify your role as a vacation rental owner or manager, simply by bringing some tech into the mix? You’re operating a business in the 21st century. It’s a sign of professionalism and quality service if you use the modern resources available to you. Isn’t that what you want your guests to think of you?
In addition, vacation rental technology can be the key to getting ahead of your competitors. In the current market, streamlined user experience is a key to securing yourself some return visitors, because technology can do a lot in solving and preventing problems. Being known as a provider of a professional vacation rental where everything is done to create an enjoyable time for the guests, can get you the reviews you’re after.
Motivated to use tech to your advantage? Here’s what’s out there for you.
Tools to Get the Price Right
One goal any vacation rental manager needs to focus on is being relevant to the market, also in your pricing. Charge too much, and you’ll chase guests away; keep rates too low, and you’ll lose out on profit. You can look at Airbnb pricing but let vacation rental technology help you even more.
With variable pricing tools for vacation rentals, the software can give you an overview of relevant data drawn from booking platforms and similar sources and it allows you to effectively price your property through an automated dynamic pricing model. With a vacation rental revenue tool, you can make an informed decision of what you want to charge.
Analyze to Optimize
As shown above, access to data is often key to success. This is where analysis tools come in handy. From using Zillow to find the ideal area to purchase property to planning your season’s budget with the help of AirDNA’s peak season feedback, tech makes it possible.
Automation & Software to Streamline Management
Once you have that property, it can get challenging to keep your booking organized. This is where property management tools, such as iGMS, come in handy, especially if you’re responsible for more than one facility. Stop wasting time and let tech help:
- View information from Airbnb and other booking services, all on one dashboard.
- Manage contacts and communication with guests from one place.
- Organize services such as cleaning or landscaping.
- Automate standard functions such as replies to guests or managing their reviews.
With checklists and automated workflows as part of these management software packages, there are fewer mistakes and more happy guests.
Automation Technology to Impress Guests (and Simplify Your Business)
Even once your guests arrive, you should have vacation rental technology ready to make a good first impression and keep them happy throughout their stay.
Firstly, your guests won’t appreciate uncertainty or waiting upon arrival. Use technology to share your exact location with them and use phone apps to provide them access to the property. These are also helpful property manager tools because you don’t have to wait for guests arriving in the middle of the night anymore.
And then there are all those smart home features you’ve heard about. Guess what: the modern holidaymaker often expects it as a standard feature. For example, they want a smart thermostat to keep the rooms comfortable effortlessly.
Remember though: these tools help you as well. When temperatures are managed, there’s less energy wastage compared to an outdated HVAC system. Also, a noise sensor can tell you when guests are too rowdy, which may upset the neighbors. The information helps you act before it becomes a crisis.
Tools to Transform Guest Experiences
Even welcoming your guests can have a digital edge because there’s no longer a need to print elaborate welcome manuals. Do it all online with a virtual guestbook and you make it more accessible for visitors. You also save on printing costs and you don’t even have to be there in person to explain anything.
What’s clear is this: rental technology resources are beneficial for both guests and hosts.
In Conclusion—Final Tips
Don’t let the idea of change keep you from making even more of your hobby or business. There’s no reason to feel overwhelmed with vacation rental management in 2020 because vacation rental software and property management solutions are always designed with users in mind. It’s easier to implement than you think.
Also, at a smaller facility, it’s much easier to implement these impressive vacation rental technology tools compared to owning a hotel. That means you can empower yourself to impress visitors much more than the well-known establishments in town. All you have to do is move with the times.
Ready to impress with tech?
Author byline: Inna Shevchenko, CMO at iGMS