Focus on one platform

[Joel Oh]

Hey guys, I know this will be very controversial. 

However, I gotta say it. No business succeeded by drilling many holes. You must find the best suit and drill one hole deeper and deeper and become the king of the hole.

The reason is how any of these platforms work. The ranking system. 

Your ranking in your area for the time guest search is everything for this business. This ranking includes reviews, photo, click, retention, policy, occupancy, price…. Pretty much the core of the STR business.

Higher your rank gets, you can increase your price and be more picky in selecting customers which usually lead to a better review / less party or complaints / less expense and higher profit with a happy life.

I know some people will argue, but the ranking system is the truth and should be the only guide to your STR journey.

Don’t hurt your ranking by splitting your property into many baskets… especially those personal websites!!!!

Your account with hundreds/thousands of reviews is the biggest asset! 

[Patricia Andriolo-Bull]

Quote from @Joel Oh:

Quote from @John Underwood:

You absolutely have to be on multiple platforms or your leaving money on the table.

Some people just use one or the other and your missing out on bookings from people who use the other.

I got 4 bookings from Airbnb in 2024 and the rest from Vrbo. Some of these Airbnb ones were last minute bookings.

If I was only on Vrbo I would have likely missed on on these few Airbnb bookings.

 You are proving the point! You got only 4 bookings from Airbnb because your ranking is really low on Airbnb. Vrbo is your suit. 4 bookings out of a whole year are nothing compared to the advantage you get by dominating the market on a platform. 

 As you said, controversial.  I agree with @John Underwood.  I was highly ranking on VRBO, great reviews, 85% of my bookings, etc. etc.  One day in Q2 I disappeared from their algorithm.  No rhyme or reason.  I am now on page 7 or 8 after doing everything.  Premier host, 5 star reviews, updated professional photos, updates to description, etc.  Nothing.  In a turn of events, I rank on page 1 in AirBNB and get 80% of my bookings from AirBNB now across all of my properties.  If I was reliant on only VRBO I would have lost my business.  I would never rely on only one platform - and they can for any reason pull the rug from under you.