A recent study predicts that 75% of accommodation bookings will occur online by 2028. Don't wait until then to start marketing your property online.
Online travel agent platforms offer an easy and affordable way to market your short-term rental property to a large audience. The trick lies in choosing rental sites suited to your target market.
Keep reading to explore the best vacation rental platforms for marketing your Indian Shores short-term rental.
Airbnb
Airbnb is one of the best-known rental platforms available for vacation rental sales. It's targeted at vacationers who don't want to stay in hotel accommodations, and it has over 7 million listings across 200 regions.
When you list your rental unit on this platform, there's a lot of competition, so you'll need a consistent and competent marketing strategy to attract bookings.
Some benefits of listing your accommodation with Airbnb include:
- Vast reach
- Free listings
- Host protection insurance
- Simple, user-friendly platform
- Automated payments
Airbnb allows flexibility when setting your rates and charges between 3% and 13% commission per booking.
VRBO
Like Airbnb, VRBO does not promote hotel accommodations. It's targeted at vacationers looking for stand-alone accommodations, like:
- Cottages
- Chalets
- Apartments
It's one of the best rental platforms if your target market includes families or groups wanting a private or personalized Florida experience.
Other benefits of listing your property with VRBO include:
- No booking taxes
- Low commissions
- Free listings
The platform offers two payment options. You can pay a 5% commission plus a 3% service charge on each booking, or buy an annual subscription for $699 and pay no commission on bookings.
Booking.com
Booking.com is the 120th most valuable company in the world and the most lucrative online booking platform. Over a million people book accommodation on Booking.com every day.
When you list your property with Booking.com, you enjoy:
- International exposure
- Secure reservations and payments
- Efficient customer support
- Flexible, free listings
When comparing vacation rental sites, Booking.com stands out as one of the most expensive, charging a 15% commission on every booking.
Booking.com's vast reach is attributed to the fact that it lists hotels, franchised accommodations, and privately owned properties across the globe. It's a good option for you if you're interested in attracting foreign guests, but you'll need a rock-solid marketing strategy to stand out against the competition.
Maximizing Vacation Rental Platforms in Indian Springs
Overall, vacation rental platforms are an excellent option for most private landlords, especially in terms of convenience and affordability, but it's essential to read rental platform reviews before deciding on the best fit for you.
An experienced vacation property manager can help you decide which one suits you best as well as assist you with the ongoing management of your short-term rental. These experts will help you create appealing listings and manage your income in line with local tax laws.
The team at PMI Clearwater comprises previous vacation rental owners with years of hands-on experience in the Florida short-term rental market. We can help you market and list your property and manage it to ensure optimum guest satisfaction.
We are here to help you thrive as a short-term rental owner in Indian Shores. Find out how today.
