How to Make Changes to Your HomeAway Listing
Answers to commonly asked questions about managing a HomeAway listing.
How to Find Your HomeAway Listing
It's fairly common knowledge that you can access your property listing by typing your property ID into the search field on the homepage of HomeAway.com. But what about when you want to give someone your URL? Did you know that you can access your listing quickly and easily by typing http://www.homeaway.com/YourPropertyNumber?
Take listing number 117046 for instance. The long URL that appears for the property after searching the HomeAway sites is:
http://www.homeaway.com/USA/New-Hampshire/Lakes-Region/vacation-house-Sunrise-Lake/dni/1/p117046.htm
But, you can reach the same listing by instead typing:
http://www.homeaway.com/117046 or simply homeaway.com/117046.
This is a much simpler way to find your own property listing, and for sharing the address with others. It's also great for adding a short link to business cards or flyers. Be sure to include your property listing URL in your email signature, so that when you're corresponding with potential renters they always have quick access to your listing.
How to Write Great Copy For Your HomeAway Advertisement
Write Clear, Concise Text
Organizing the most important ideas first is critical. Think of your listing as a pyramid, with the key points first and details added as you progress.
- Headline - Keep it short, capture attention and include key search words.
- Property Description - Include location, accommodations, proximity to attractions, and most compelling features, such as views and amenities.
- Further Details - Add details that set your property apart but are not covered in the top of the listing.
- Consistency - Avoid contradictions in your copy. For instance, your text shouldn't talk about a third bedroom if your amenities page only mentions two.
Style
- Use Standard Capitalization - Do not use all capital letters for headlines. In Internet etiquette, this is the equivalent of shouting.
- Write Short but Clear Complete Sentences - Keep your copy concise. Travelers will look to your photos for description.
- Use Plain English - Avoid slang, jargon, colloquialisms or abbreviations.
How to Place Images on Your HomeAway Advertisement
If you took your photos with a digital camera…
- You'll see boxes for 12 photos and an “Upload a photo here” link inside each box. You can think of these boxes as slots in a virtual photo album.
- On the “Upload new photo” screen, click the button to find photos on your computer and then select the photos you want to include in your listing.
- Where it says “caption for this photo”, write a caption that describes your photo, preferably using area or amenity keywords that travelers may search for. Keep in mind, though, that you're limited to 50 characters.
- Once you click “Upload Photo”, you can confirm the placement be clicking “Choose this photo”.
- You can upload all your photos by repeating steps 2 & 3.
- If you want to rearrange the order of your photos, use the dark blue arrows.
- To save your photos, simply click “Save Changes”.
Please be aware that it takes 2 to 3 business days for your photos to be approved and displayed on your listing. At that time, the “Pending” labels will go away.
If you took your photos with a film camera…Send your photos by mail to the HomeAway corporate offices. They will upload them for you. Please include your name and property number and send your photos to:
HomeAway
3801 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 150
Austin, TX
78704
You can also email photos to photos@HomeAway.com.
How to Update and Maintain Your HomeAway Advertisement
Keeping your listing fresh and your photos current enables you to test or fine-tune your descriptions and possibly improve the number of rental inquiries you receive. Many advertisers find it valuable to update photos as the seasons change. It also helps assure that your current availability and rental rate information is accurate.
Update and Confirm Property Availability
It's essential that you update or confirm your availability regularly to prevent misleading potential renters. Sign in to your account and click "Update Calendar". Change the availability from the default status of "unknown" to the correct status; updating your calendar helps your property appear in specific search results.
Keep rental rates current
You can enter rental rates as often as you like -- up to two years in advance under the rates table. Be sure to keep these rates updated to appear on your listing and in the search results. If expired, they no longer appear for potential vacationers.
Refresh copy and photos
You can update the copy on your listing at any time, at no charge. Consider changing your listing by including the information people are seeking in the inquiries they send. It is a good idea to refresh your photos after you redecorate, change furniture, add amenities, or as gardens grow or change with the seasons. This attention to detail provides guests with a much better picture of what they might expect during a stay.
How to Receive Inquiries from HomeAway
How do I receive inquiries?
Visitors to the site who are interested in booking your property can contact you using the information you provide under the Contact tab of your listing (telephone, e-mail, or fax).
How do I know I am receiving all my inquiries?
To protect you against spam, Internet Service Providers (ISP's) can block e-mails without you knowing about it. Check the Inquiries tab on your Owner home page to see all e-mail inquiries sent to your HomeAway listing. It's also important to add HomeAway to your e-mail address book to ensure you receive communications from them.
What if the person making the inquiry puts in the wrong details?
Unfortunately nothing can be done if a traveler enters their contact information incorrectly. HomeAway receives exactly the same information as you do.
If I advertise more than one property under the same account, do I have to enter my contact details separately for each listing?
No. The Contact tab remembers your contact details and automatically enters them for any new listing. Select "Add a new contact" in the drop down list and key in the new contact name with details for a different property.
How can I tell if the inquiry is genuine?
The vast majority of visitors to HomeAway are genuine people looking for a vacation home. However, if you are not comfortable with the traveler after corresponding with them, don't take the booking. Never pay out money to a potential guest until you are absolutely sure you have secured the funds.
For additional information, you may review the “Guide to Avoiding Fraud”. You can also find updates on the latest scams reported by owners in the “Frequent Vacation Rental Scam Inquiries” article.
How to Respond To Inquiries from HomeAway
Reply Promptly
People who visit HomeAway send an average of two inquiries. A fast, professional response or phone call can help ensure that your property is the one they book.
Supply Extra Information
It is a good idea to include well-written follow-up details with your response to e-mail inquires. At this stage, people are interested in your property and extra bits of information will influence their decision.
How Do I Get My Property to Show Up at the Top of the Location Pages?
These are Featured Listings; they rotate for the 5 available slots with each “refresh” of the page. Featured listings are $29 for one month. For more on Featured Listings, read: Guide to Featured Listings.
How Do I Get the Blue Box Around My Listing on the HomeAway Search Pages?
To bring extra attention to your listing and to be included on a special search tool, sign up for a Special Offer. Special Offers make your property stand out on the search page with a highlighted border and special icon. They're searchable too. The dates covered with your Special are also highlighted on your listing's calendar. A Special Offer is just $20 for two weeks minimum. For the scoop on Special Offers, read: The Skinny on HomeAway Special Offers.
How to Handle Lifted or Stolen Property Listings
HELP! A new web site has taken my ad off from HomeAway.com and copied it to their web site without my permission.
First, contact HomeAway.com and let them know about the problem. They do NOT like people copying their ads either. Here's some other information that may be helpful:
The major search engines will not tolerate copyright violations. If in your search you find your text and photos for your advertisement copied on another site, you can contact the SE to have the URL removed.
Contacting the Search Engines:
DMCA complaints have specific requirements. Read the requirements listed on each site.
Google (Must be sent by postal mail)
http://www.google.com/dmca.html#notification
Google, Inc.
Attn: Customer Support, DMCA Complaints
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
Yahoo (Can be emailed)
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/copyright/copyright.html
copyright@yahoo-inc.com
Each search engine basically requires the same info, and some accept an email with an electronic signature and some do not.
Copyright /DMCA issues are more easily addressed by the property owner. We share copyright with the owner, but cannot control where the owner decides to copy his listing.
Contacting the Host and Owner:
This is easier and usually more effective. You can use the same format as the Search Engines for a formal DMCA complaint. Each website is hosted by an ISP and email information for both the owner and the ISP is easily found by clicking here. Most ISP hosts are cooperative and will contact the owner and pressure them to remove the infringing material, or shut down the site until the copyrighted material is removed.
Not currently on Homeaway? List your property on HomeAway today!
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