Every great vacation handbook starts with this simple idea: visitors want to have an amazing stay, full of unforgettable local experience that cannot be gotten elsewhere.
Chip Conley, Head of Hospitality at Airbnb, understands that Airbnb hosts are well positioned to offer these distinctive experiences. He told BusinessWire in 2016 that: “When an Airbnb traveler heads to Hammerbrook in Hamburg or Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur, with the help of hosts, they are able to see these places through eyes of a local, and embrace the culture in a completely new way.”
What is The Airbnb Guidebook? Is There a Better Alternative?
From the essential values explained by Chip, it can be seen that Airbnb came up with its own native handbook feature which allows hosts to catalog their preferred local spot right from their Airbnb listing.
But, from our point of view, the in-app Airbnb handbooks have some serious shortcomings.
Being a host and having tried it for my guests. On the positive side, it is powered by Google Places and very user friendly. Nevertheless, it lacks the flexibility and all-round features of a standard Airbnb handbook.
Basically, apart from looking for the perfect happy hour spots, guests also ask vital questions like: How do I locate your place? What’s the Wi-Fi password? Do I need a college degree to operate the smart TV remote? How do I find the keys?
The answers to these questions are normally provided in the house manual. Although there is a house manual box in the Airbnb listing, it is restricted to just a single text box. Not surprising though because from my understanding as a guest, it only has few basic pieces of information.
Probably the solution is two different guidebooks i.e. one for the information about house rules and the other for information about the destination. Unfortunately, that will be overwhelming and totally awkward for guests as either of the handbooks will be forgotten or ignored, and, no one wishes for that to happen.
The good news, however, is that there are substitutes to select from.
Our product, Everhost, is one alternative. It can be shared with guests (through email or SMS) as long as you have their contact details (after the validation of the booking). The guest does not need to download anything, just a simple web link to click and they are in.
Guest book options are not restricted to Everhost only. Four other substitutes will be explained in the post, ranging from very simple to a little bit tech-savvy:
1. Custom designed Handbooks
2. Digital guest welcome apps
3. TINE: Video and audio messages
4. A simple Word document
Should you come across other handbook alternatives that aren’t noted here, please inform us in the comments section below. This post will be frequently updated with your additions.
1. Custom-Designed Handbooks
Probably, you want something with more finesse, then taking a look at the custom-designed guest welcome book from Vacation Insiders (a subsidiary of Guest Hook, a marketing agency that focuses on vacation rentals) is an ideal decision.
Prices begin from $100, and everything is already in a print-ready format so you can easily design a physical copy or forward it as a mail attachment. Additionally, it can be used to convince the guests about your local knowledge before they book.
The negative aspect is that it does not really function as a proper welcome book but more as a coffee table area guide. Nevertheless, it can be printed and positioned in the same binder as a more functional “how-to” welcome book.
Tip: You can also design something similar using Adobe InDesign (although, the end product will not be the same). Using Adobe InDesign is quite complex and time-consuming unless you have the necessary skills or have a friend that does. Using Adobe InDesign will be much more attractive than using a Word doc.
2. Digital Guest Welcome Books
Looking for a digital alternative for your welcome book? There are good reasons to consider this alternative: going for a digital solution will automatically update any modifications you make on your guests’ device. It also allows you to effect the modifications wherever you are, instead of having to print pages and changing the in-home paper book.
If your properties are listed on HomeAway, you would have observed the recent Hospitality Manager app, a native application that guests are able to download before their vacation. This is an example of a digital alternative.
Note: A native application is an application that is downloaded directly from the App Store or Play store.
Just like Airbnb handbook, a listing-site-branded digital handbook has its restrictions- particularly if you are citing properties on several sites and consider the idea of having different digital welcome books a bit frustrating.
Substitute digital welcome books that are completely private from the listing site platforms, like Everhost, are definitely easier to use since you are not limited to being with Airbnb or HomeAway.
Tip: don’t get stuck about making a decision on whether to choose a native or mobile application. The best way to decide which to use is by considering the user-friendliness and the different features that each of the solutions has to offer.
3. What about a Video or Audio Message for your Guests?
Now, this is quite different!
The innovative minds at TINE came up with a solution that requires leaving small QR code stickers all over the place in your home. Once your guest scans any of the QR code stickers, a video of you will appear on their phone or audio as the case may be.
We had a conversation with Nedda, one of the co-founders at TINE, and her passion for their product was contagious. After speaking with her, we came up with several ideas of our own about using TINE – and not just for vacation rentals.
For instance, you can add a TINE tag to your cherished belongings, that way it can be quickly recovered in case they get missing.
Hosts can stick TINE to home equipment such as coffee maker, remote control, washing machine, and also include a video to describe how the items work. With this in place, the guests will not have to frequently call the hosts for instructions and vice versa.
Tip: Put a sticker on top of your guest welcome book or house manual to include a personal message or video for every guest- not just as a substitute to a welcome book but as a sign of warm regards.
4. Keep it Simple: Word as an Airbnb House Manual
Although, it’s neither the classiest alternative for the 21st century, nor will it fit the brand of a fashionable loft apartment. Nevertheless, a Microsoft handbook is still quite easy and free to design and it’s also easy to share with friends.
With a few adjustments to the fonts and pictures, one can have an attractive finished product.
Tip: Once you have gotten your word document, just save it as a PDF file and then upload the saved PDF to Issuu.com for it to be converted into a mobile-optimized and easy-to-read book. Then simply forward the Issuu link to your guests.
Regardless of which alternative you decide upon, always have the golden rule of any welcome book at the back of your mind: the guests will read your content as long as the quality is superb, regardless of how it is shown to them.
With Airbnb’s increasing set of choices of experiences and local commendations, it is extremely imperative to perfect your skill as a local guide. Your guidebook presents the perfect platform for you to show yourself as a trustworthy local advisor. And, if you put in extra effort, you might get other benefits beyond the appreciative reviews that applaud your helpful local suggestions.
Your guests will be greatly impressed with your streamlined personal recommendations over any other comprehensive list of every business in the area. Take the stress out of their visit. Suggest a preferred dish at each restaurant you talk about or recommend a community event like a farmer’s market – where your guests are able to buy the freshest fruit.
Establish relationships with the businesses you suggest, impress them with your outstanding guidebook performance, as long as they appreciate the preferred local spots which you have thoughtfully chosen, they are certain to see the value in your genuine suggestions.
The Airbnb Guidebook: Final Thoughts
We envision the marketplace for personal guidebooks like Airbnb and others- will keep on developing, so we hope you notify us whenever you come across other options. Discuss your innovative ideas for interacting with incoming guests, or let us know what other hosts you might know are doing!