Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned vacation rental owner, your listing might need some updates and improvements.  Follow this checklist for suggestions and pointers on building the best VacationRentals.com listing possible.

The Headline:

Because travelers are unable to see any photos in the search page on VacationRentals.com, the best way to get someone to click on your ad is to feature an enticing headline.  While it may not be possible to include every one of the pointers below, try to make the most of the space available and really showcase your property's main selling points.

Here are some pointers for creating a compelling headline:               

 Use characters available (take advantage of space)
 Include location type (ex. lakefront, mountainside)
 Include property type (ex. condo, estate, house)
 Showcase availability or open dates (ex. May 1-8 Available)
 Feature a special offer (ex. Spring Deals)
 Include non-repetitive location info (more specific than the city you're classified under)
 Use consistent capitalization and punctuation
 Show your competitive advantage
 Highlight amenities (ex. balcony, wireless Internet, HDTV)
 Incorporate descriptive adjectives
 Explain your home's suitability (ex. pet friendly, perfect for couples)
 Name nearby attractions (ex. golf courses, beaches, parks)

The First Two Photos:

The two photos you select for the top of your listing are the first thing renters will see after clicking on your ad from the search page.  In order to give a top-notch first impression and encourage them to scroll for more information, you'll want to choose your absolute best photos.

Your first two photos should be:

 Colorful
 Well-Lit
 Properly Staged (ex. no clutter, place settings on table, added color)
 Well Framed (ex. entire bed is in frame, nothing obstructing photo)
 Clear (photo is not scanned)
 Identifiable (you can tell what the picture is of)
 Well-Maintained/Clutter-Free
 Showcases Feel of Home
 Showcases View, Location or Amenity
 Unique or Exceptional
 Ahh factor

All Photos:

Your photos might be the single most important part of your ad.  Each VacationRentals.com listing can display up to 8 photos, so it is important to take advantage of this space.  However, don't just fill your space with unnecessary shots; be sure to include the aspects of your home that are critical to renters.

Your photos should include all or most of the following:

 The view from your home
 The exterior of your home, building, or complex
 The living Area
 The kitchen
 The dining area
 The master bedroom
 Each additional bedroom
 Other amenities (pool, patio, game room, etc.)

The quality of your photos is just as important as selecting which photos to feature.  Stellar photos could make the difference between an iffy renter and one that's ready to book on the spot.

Be sure your photos are:

 Colorful
 Well-Lit
 Properly Staged
 Well-Framed
 Clear
 In a sensible order (bedroom photos grouped together, exterior photos grouped together, etc.)
 Recent (no date stamps)
 Showcasing the feel of your home
 Showcasing the size of the space (show most of the rooms in your home)
 Revealing an ahh factor (exceptional or impressive photos)

The Description:

You should devote a fair amount of space and time to your VacationRentals.com listing.  This is your chance to really feature the benefits of choosing your home over another.  It's important to be specific and provide all the information that renters really care about.  And remember, if you create your description in Word Pad or Notepad, you'll be able to take advantage of the full screen.

Take the following into consideration for your property description:

 Use of available space (2 or more paragraphs or lists)
 Top-loading of selling points (home's best features listed in first sent)
 Property type (ex. condo, cottage, cabin, villa, townhome, apartment)
 Property size (ex. number of bedrooms, total square footage)
 Layout of home (describe each floor, connecting bathrooms, etc.)
 Bedroom info + bed setup (bed sizes and more specific than just the number of bedrooms)
 Amenity info (all amenities found in each room)
 Suitability info (ex. perfect for families, couples, large groups, etc.)
 Capitalization of keywords
 Use of headers or subtitles (creating sections within description)
 Use of bulleted lists (using asterisks)
 Use of numerals (drawing attention to certain features)
 Friendly tone
 Consistent spelling and punctuation
 Paints the renter experience

The Amenities: Because you have an entire section devoted to your home's amenities, take the time to really list out anything and everything that could be considered a selling point for your renters.  The key is developing a detailed yet easy-to-read list. A thorough amenities section will:  Take advantage of the available space  Feature headers  (creating sections within the lists of amenities)  Incorporate bulleted lists (using asterisks)  Use capital letters (to draw attention to certain amenities)  Be thorough  Explain the suitability or theme of your home (who is your target market?)

The Activities and Attractions:

This section of your ad gives you the opportunity to sell your area and any popular local attractions or special events.  This can also help you with search engine optimization if you include specific area keywords.  Plus, you should also take some time to give renters a feel for the logistics of the area.

Your activities and attractions should include:

 The nearest mode of transportation (is there mass transportation available?)
 Whether a car is necessary to bring or rent
 Distance to nearby cities (are there other towns they can visit during their stay?)
 Distance to beach, mountain, lake, etc. (where is the main attractions?)
 Specific landmarks or attractions
 Area activities
 Events
 A clear sense of where the property is located

The Rental Rates:

The rental rates section of your ad allows you to be pretty flexible with how you display your pricing.  The best way to tackle this section is to be specific and display the information in the clearest and most organized manner possible.

Your rental rates should:

 Be organized (easy to read)
 Be clear (any traveler can figure out their own rates for any dates)
 Include specific dates
 Designate rates for at least 1 year from today
 Include nightly rates
 Include weekly rates
 Include monthly rates
 Indicate clear minimum stays
 Define holiday rates (with specific dates)
 Promote any special offers (ex. 5th night free, no cleaning fee, no per person charges)
 Explain reservation/security deposit info
 Specify extra fees and taxes
 Advise payment methods accepted

The Calendar:

Owners that feature the VacationRentals.com calendar will receive an icon on the search page to let travelers know that the listing will show their available dates.  Keeping your calendar up-to-date is an important tool for attracting serious renters that want to see accurate availability.

A truly thorough VacationRentals.com listing will:

 Feature an up-to-date calendar

The Contact Info:

Your contact info seems like a no-brainer, but make sure that renters can reach you easily or find more information. 

Your contact info could include:

 A primary phone number
 An alternate phone number

Use these pointers as a starting point for building a listing that is both thorough and easy-to-read and shows renters that you are an active and professional vacation rental owner.

Tips for Creating a New Vacation Rental Listing Learn valuable time-saving tips for creating a listing on another site or a listing for a new property.   Advanced SEO for Your Listing: The Importance of Building Links Once you have optimized the text and photos in your listing for the search engines, you can take it one step further.   Filling Out the Amenities Section of Your Vacation Rental Ad Checklist for completing the amenities section of your vacation rental listing.   How to Make the Most of Your Marketing Budget 5 ways to analyze your current advertising spending to get the most for your marketing dollars.

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