Owning a short-term rental can be a great way to generate passive income, but many hosts leave money on the table by relying solely on Airbnb. While Airbnb is a household name, it takes a hefty cut, up to 20%, from every booking. That’s a significant chunk of earnings lost when other platforms offer better margins and flexibility.
The secret to maximizing profits in short-term rentals is listing your property across multiple platforms while maintaining control over pricing and availability. Sites like Booking.com and Vrbo attract a different audience, often travelers willing to pay more. A property listed for $200 on Airbnb can be listed for $350 elsewhere, and people will book it because they expect higher prices on those platforms.
A common challenge for hosts using multiple platforms is avoiding double bookings. That’s where tools like Smoobu come in. Smoobu syncs your listings across different platforms, ensuring you don’t accidentally book the same dates for multiple guests. It also provides a private booking website, allowing you to accept direct reservations and avoid platform fees altogether.
By diversifying where you list your rental, you create multiple streams of bookings. One week, a guest might book through Vrbo, the next through Booking.com, and another through your own website. This approach reduces dependence on any single platform and increases occupancy rates while keeping more of the revenue in your pocket.
Travelers don’t care where they book. Many call any short-term rental an “Airbnb,” even when they book through other sites. As a host, your job is to make your property available wherever potential guests are looking and adjust pricing accordingly to take advantage of different buyer behaviors.
Another benefit of listing on multiple sites is the ability to control cancellation policies and guest requirements more effectively. Some platforms allow stricter cancellation rules, reducing the risk of last-minute cancellations that can leave your property vacant. Others provide better screening tools, helping you avoid problematic guests.
Short-term rentals are a business, and successful hosts treat them like one. This means optimizing pricing, reducing unnecessary fees, and leveraging technology to stay competitive. The key isn’t just getting bookings, it’s getting profitable bookings.
If you’re running a short-term rental or thinking about starting one, it’s time to expand beyond Airbnb. By leveraging Booking.com, Vrbo, Smoobu, and your own website, you can increase your earnings while maintaining full control over your property. With the right approach, you’re not just renting out a space, you’re running a thriving, high-revenue business.