Is having your own website for your STR worth the expense ?

[Karen Chenaille]

Hi Folks

I am taking a long hard look at my monthly subscription costs paid out to tools. One of the tools I subscribe to is OwnerRez. I haven’t found much utility with it. The only distinct feature it gives me is a website that was easy to get a basic set up. To make the web site visible I would need to pay someone to finish it out and get it to show up in the search engines. I am wondering what the group’s opinion is of whether a stand alone website is worth it. OwnerRez is hitting me for $80/month.

Thanks a million!

Karen

[Kevin Lefeuvre]

Most hosts who have not built their own site is either because they procrastinate (like me) or they think the website is like in the 90s, being the only or the main source of your bookings. It's not. 

Just like any other business, you need to have an online identity. Those who use airbnb's host page or a FB page for that, solve that issue. (I have both and they come up easily when googled). But that's not enough.

In terms of business, when you have some volume and a few hundred emails of past clients like me (or a few thousands like some other guys), then you are missing a business opportunity of booking them directly, either by repeat business or by ads elsewhere (CL, FB, Google ads,...). 

I am amazed to see that most people think airbnb costs 3% or vrbo costs 3%+499/year. You need to look at what the guest pays to see the real cost YOU are indirectly paying. Yes it's you not the guest, because the guest is ready to pay that amount to book your property . 

And finally as a business owner, you need to reduce your dependency. You won't remove airbnb/vrbo as a source of income, but don't put all your eggs in the same baskets. Diversify.

And to answer your question @Karen Chenaille I think it's worth, especially for 13 properties. From your message I think you are either not comfortable with the tech part (you mention finishing the site, I don't think there is much needed to finish) or consider it as a replacement to airbnb/vrbo. It's not. It's an addition. I know that even if I get 2 or 3 bookings per year directly, per property, it pays for the cost/time spent on your site/page. (I email twice a year with specials for low season and get a couple bookings per property with each emailing. For now I manage bookings manually, e-signature, paypal, but will automate it for less interaction.)