When we build a business on the Internet, we naturally want to become a large-scale global company. Goal, Do you feel more comfortable in a crowded mall as one of hundreds of faceless customers, or as a valued guest in a cozy store? Do you like your specific needs to be as important to a salesperson as your own?
The less business you have, the better your chances of success. Sound unrealistic? Well, here are the facts:
The smaller your region, the better your customer service.
You probably remember surfing the net, looking at hundreds of vacation rental sites. Was the destination important to you or did it make no difference? Personally, I can’t imagine anyone looking for any kind of property anywhere in the world.
I see a difference between Sydney and Rome and prefer sites dedicated to specific destinations. Why? That is easy. It’s because I like the individual attention I get. If I have questions, all my questions (even about the color of the bathroom walls) will be answered carefully and in detail. Plus, I can get information on which banks have the best exchange rates, where to eat the best, and, well, everything else a traveler really wants to know.
The network is not a substitute for live interaction.
Even the most informative web pages cannot replace live interaction, when you get specific answers to your specific questions. You must read the web page to find the information you need. We all value our time and prefer to talk to a live person and get an immediate response. Multi-user portals simply can’t achieve that close interaction between a website owner and website visitors, while small websites can.
As a website owner, you will gain negotiating skills. This will show you that you are trustworthy and will help you succeed in the rental business.
Tenant details are invaluable.
If you If you have been in the business of leasing or renting real estate for a number of years, you will have a large database of tenant and landlord contacts. Storing every detail about them can help you recover them as customers. Before peak season begins, send them a newsletter about a new option, discount, or benefit for your website visitors, and include a brief reference to your family. For example, tell them how cute were those twins, John and Jack, who ‘decorated’ your wallpaper with their creative paintings last year, or ask them about their puppy Sparky, who abused their flower beds and lawns.
Your tenants will appreciate your attention and will make reservations in advance. You could hardly expect that from the big vacation rental portals.
Money ‘nearest’.
If you charge landlords to list their properties on your small vacation rental website, it will be easier for you to collect payments from them. Local transactions are easier, faster and more secure than payments from around the world on international vacation rental web portals.
Document your financial relationships.
Operators of large vacation rental websites have owners from different countries with different local laws, so it is difficult to control all agreements and negotiations between owners and tenants, but a small vacation rental website dedicated to a specific country or region Show more professionalism and build more trust by offering prepared rental agreements on behalf of owners and guests.
If you operate a website dedicated to a region, you can draft legal documents that are valid for your region and appropriate for your owners and guests. Said rental agreements must describe the most likely disputes that may arise between the owner and the guest: damage to furniture and fixtures, insurance, responsibilities of the guest and the owner, abandonment, payment schedule, etc. People feel more comfortable when their financial arrangements are supported by legal documentation.
The smaller your region, the more income opportunities you have.
Would you like to have more happy customers who naturally turn to positive testimonials and word of mouth? Owners of small rental websites can cooperate with local service providers and get a good commission from this cooperation. For example, they can arrange discounts with souvenir shops and give discount coupons to their guests. Discount coupons issued especially for a specific villa or house work best. The same can be done with catering services, car rental and yacht rental, etc. This will certainly help generate interest and trust in your vacation rental website.
The VIP attitude is more important than the VIP house.
Even if the house for rent is not the essence of luxury, you can win your client’s favor with your professional demeanor and attentive attitude. I have seen dozens of examples where a good attitude has made up for a property’s shortcomings. Remember: rent impressions, not properties.
To be honest.
Last but not least, the guiding principle for a vacation rental website owner is to really want to make people happy. Your main and sincere desire should be to make a guest’s stay the best it can be. Making a profit depends on this. You need to listen carefully to what your guests are saying. Remember that when a guest rents a house for his vacation, he wants a break from work and day-to-day worries. He doesn’t want his vacation to be marred by trivial inconveniences. Love your owners! Love your guests! Properties of love!
