Website Design & Creation for Short Term Rental Businesses

1. Why is a well-designed website an essential tool for any short term rental business?

A well-designed website is an essential tool for short term rental businesses, acting as a digital storefront and helping to boost the company's overall visibility. A website allows customers to get an overview of the business, its offerings, and contact information, all in a matter of minutes. As such, it’s one of the first steps any entrepreneur should take when launching a business.

A well-designed website is not only user-friendly and easy to navigate, it also plays an important role in how the general public perceives a short term rental business. Having a modern, well-organized website reflects positively on the rental business, and can set it apart from competitors. There are a variety of web design elements that can be used to craft a stand-out website, such as a modern, responsive design, engaging visuals, and informative content.

Having a well-designed website also helps businesses to get found online, as it makes them more likely to show up in search engine results and be easily discovered by potential customers. Utilizing successful search engine optimization (SEO) tactics will further improve a website’s search engine visibility, and can lead to a greater number of visits. This, in turn, can drive more sales for the business.

In the end, an effective website is an invaluable tool for any short term rental business. It can help to increase the business’ visibility, attract potential customers, and drive more sales. When designing a website, it’s important to keep user experience, SEO, and design in mind, as all of these components can play a significant role in a website’s success.

2. Key Elements to consider when creating a short term rental website

A Professional Design That is Easy to Use

Design is one of the key elements that will determine the success of your website. It should be professional yet have an inviting appeal and must be easy to use by any guest. Elements like navigation should be as intuitive as possible; all essential information should be easily found throughout the site.

Supportive Messaging and Easy Smartphone Accessibility

Clear messaging is essential to an excellent user experience: be sure the content communicates exactly what you want it to. Additionally, your site should easily be accessed from any modern smartphone or tablet. Guests will expect this functionality from your website.

Secure Checkout System

Safety is a must when it comes to online payments. Not only should the system be secure with standards like PCI compliance, but it should also be user-friendly. Guests should be able to easily check out without having to worry about security concerns.

3. What pages should a short term rental business website include?

Homepage

This is the first page visitors will see when they come to your short term rental business website. The homepage should be concise and tell visitors about the business and your rental services. It should also include information about the area, including attractions, activities, and amenities close to your rental property.

Rental Listing Page

This page should detail your rental properties and provide photos, descriptions and pricing information. It should also allow visitors to search or filter the results to find the property they need. Additionally, a contact form or link to an online booking form should also be included on this page.

Testimonials Page

Testimonials from past guests or clients are a valuable asset for any short term rental business, demonstrating your commitment to providing an excellent rental experience. Include your customers’ reviews and opinions on this page.

Policies & Procedures Page

This page should include a comprehensive list of all your business policies and procedures regarding booking, cancellation, refunds, maintenance schedules, and more. Accessibility, safety or local regulations should also be covered here.

About Us Page

This page should include a company overview, contact information, and an ‘our story’ section that shares how the business began, its ethos and which values the business stands for.

4. Common Mistakes to avoid during website development for short term rental startups

1. Starting Without a Clear Goal

This is a very common mistake that often leads to wasted time, money, and valuable resources. Without clarity on the objectives and desired outcomes of the website, it is impossible to determine the individual components of the site and what should be included. Planning and outlining what you want to achieve before beginning website development will make the entire process smoother.

2. Failing to Test Across Browsers & Devices

It is important to test the website across different browsers and devices to make sure that the website is displaying correctly and working as intended. Not testing your website can lead to a poor user experience, as users may be prevented from accessing the site due to compatibility issues.

3. Not Securing Your Website

Websites are vulnerable to hackers and security breaches. It is important to take precautions to protect your website by using secure login practices, secure web hosting, and frequent updates and backups. Without proper security measures in place, your business and customers’ data may be compromised.

4. Lack of Responsive Design

Google now prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in their search results. It is essential to design a website that is responsive to different screen sizes, as this will not only ensure that potential customers can access the site, but also boost search engine rankings.

5. How to promote a short term rental business website

1. Optimize your website for SEO

Your rental business website should contain content that is designed to make it as search engine–friendly as possible. This may include including related keywords and phrases, setting up meta tags and titles, and optimizing images and text. You should also make sure that your website is mobile-friendly, as many people today use their phones when searching the internet.

2. Employ Social Media

Using popular social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest can be a great way to promote and market your rental business. Additionally, your website should include share buttons that allow people to easily link content from your website or share it on their own profiles.

3. Utilize Influencers and Sponsored Ads

Find influencers within your target audience and offer them incentives, like free nights in your rental property, to post about your business. You can also consider hosting giveaways and sponsoring ads on social media platforms. Both of these techniques can be very effective at driving traffic to your website.

4. Create and Distribute Relevant Content

Creating and distributing content that is both interesting and relevant to your audience can help you reach more people and boost your website's visibility. Consider writing and publishing blog posts, creating helpful infographics, and taking advantage of guest blogging opportunities.

5. Monitor and Optimize your Website

Monitoring metrics and adjusting your website based on the data is one of the best ways to ensure that your short term rental business website is successful. Analyzing your website traffic, customer comments, and surveys can help you understand your customers better and make tweaks to your website that will further boost your business.

Website Content Ideas for short term rental Businesses

Short Term Rental Website Basics

Every rental business needs a website, even when their primary focus is short term rentals. After all, how else will potential customers find you? Fortunately, creating a website for a short term rental business doesn’t need to be complicated, and doesn’t require a lot of time or money. This article will help you get started.

Choose a Domain Name

The domain name of a website is the address people use to find it (e.g. www.example.com). It should be easy to remember, and related to the business in some way. It’s important to pick the right domain name the first time, because it’s difficult and expensive to change it later. There are plenty of domain name registrars, such as Namecheap, where you can check availability and register a domain name quickly and easily.

Choose a Web Host

A web host is a company that provides the services and technology needed to put your website onto the internet. It stores the website’s files, and ensures the website is available to view all the time. Web hosting is usually paid for, with prices ranging from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month. It’s important to choose a reputable web host as that can affect your website’s speed and reliability.

Design a Logo

A logo is a graphical symbol or design used to identify a business. While it’s not essential to have a logo for your rental business website, it can help give it a more professional look. If you have a limited budget, you might consider finding a freelance logo designer on Fiverr or Upwork. A logo can be useful on things like business cards and promotional materials, in addition to your website.

Website Content

What you put on your website will depend on the nature of your rental business, but some essential elements include:

• Information about the types of rental services you offer
• Listings and pictures of the properties you have available

Case Studies of Successful short term rental Business Websites

Example 1: AirBnB

URL: https://www.airbnb.com/

AirBnB is an extremely popular and successful website for booking short term rentals, due to its competitive pricing and user friendly interface. It provides travelers with an easy way to find and book unique accommodations in any destination, from apartments and homes to treehouses and boats. The website also allows users to read reviews of listings before reserving, which gives travelers peace of mind and helps build trust with hosts. AirBnB’s integration of user reviews and its simple design allows it to be a top choice for people looking for short-term rental options.

Example 2: HomeAway

URL: https://www.homeaway.com/

HomeAway is another very successful website for booking short-term rentals. It provides travelers with over two million vacation homes in 190 countries, making it a great choice for travelers who need more space and flexibility than a hotel room provides. In addition, HomeAway offers a wide range of options when it comes to rental types – from villas and condos to chalets and cabins – so travelers can find the perfect accommodation to suit their needs and budget. HomeAway also makes it easy for users to find rental options through its intuitive and standardized search filters.
Example 3: VRBO

URL: https://www.vrbo.com/

VRBO stands for Vacation Rentals By Owner, and it’s a great place to find short-term rental options. It offers users a wide selection of properties listed by people who own them, and this helps keep the listings up-to-date and accurate. VRBO also allows users to read reviews from other renters, so they can make sure they’re getting the best possible rental for their needs. Additionally, VRBO makes it easy for users to find rental properties close to their desired destinations, by allowing users to search by city or zip code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ: Why do I need a professionally designed website for my short term rental business?

A professionally designed website for your short term rental business can establish your online presence, attract potential customers, and build credibility. At Avvale, we specialize in creating tailored websites that help businesses like yours stand out and succeed in the digital landscape.

FAQ: How long does it take to design and develop a short term rental website?

The timeline for designing and developing a short term rental website can vary based on your specific requirements. At Avvale, we work closely with our clients to create a customized project plan, ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality.

FAQ: Can you help with content creation for my short term rental website?

Absolutely! Avvale offers comprehensive services that include content creation tailored to your short term rental business. From engaging copywriting to compelling visuals, we ensure your website communicates your unique brand effectively.

FAQ: Will my short term rental website be mobile-friendly and optimized for search engines?

Yes, Avvale places a strong emphasis on mobile responsiveness and SEO optimization. We ensure that your short term rental website is accessible on all devices and ranks well on search engines, increasing your online visibility.

FAQ: What is the cost of designing and developing a short term rental website with Avvale?

The cost of a short term rental website varies based on factors like complexity, features, and customization. Avvale offers competitive pricing, and we can provide you with a personalized quote after discussing your specific needs.

FAQ: How do I maintain and update my short term rental website after it's launched?

Avvale offers ongoing maintenance and support services to keep your short term rental website up to date and secure. We make it easy for you to make content updates and provide assistance whenever you need it.

FAQ: Can I see examples of short term rental websites Avvale has designed?

Certainly! Visit our portfolio page to see some of the stunning short term rental websites we've created for our clients. We take pride in showcasing our successful projects as a testament to our expertise.

FAQ: How can I get started with Avvale's short term rental website design services?

Getting started with Avvale is easy! Simply reach out to us through our contact page or request a consultation. We'll schedule a meeting to discuss your needs and provide you with a customized plan for your short term rental website project.

FAQ: Do you offer e-commerce solutions for short term rental websites?

Yes, Avvale can integrate e-commerce functionality into your short term rental website, allowing you to sell products or services online. We'll ensure a secure and user-friendly shopping experience for your customers.

FAQ: What sets Avvale apart from other web design agencies for short term rental businesses?

Avvale stands out thanks to our deep understanding of short term rental industries, our commitment to client satisfaction, and our creative and technical expertise. We take a personalized approach to each project, ensuring your website reflects your brand and goals perfectly.