When you’re just starting out on Airbnb, it makes sense to keep all of your listings under one account. But as you scale a short-term rental (STR) business, the risks of having a single profile start to outweigh the benefits. So, what is the best account setup for YOUR situation?
Anton Zilberberg is the Cofounder and CEO of QuickStay, a property management company out of Toronto, and Autohost, an STR software that performs Airbnb background checks and guest screening . Today, Anton joins me to discuss the pros and cons of the top four listing management systems and weigh in on which STR model works best for each.
Anton explains why he doesn’t recommend cohosting on an owner’s account and shares the operational advantages and risks associated with having all your STR listings under a single account. We also cover when to use clustered accounts and when it’s best to create one account per owner. Listen in to understand why building a brand may be less important than you think and learn which account setup is right for your STR business.
Topics Covered
Why Anton isn’t a fan of cohosting on an owner’s account
- Can’t sync with outside PMS
- Owner can micromanage, make changes
- Airbnb phasing out in favor of teams
The benefits of having all listings under one account
- Easy to manage and build reputation quickly
- Cost savings (no PMS/phone system needed)
- Complies with Airbnb terms of service
The disadvantages of having all listings under one account
- 100% of revenue gone if account suspended
- Become target for regulators as you scale
- One difficult owner brings ALL listings down
When to use one account for all your listings
- Small operator or just starting out
- Full control of units, all compliant
The benefits of using clustered accounts
- Operational advantages AND low risk
- Balance to sustain high rankings
The disadvantages of using clustered accounts
- Need PMS, phone system (separate # for each)
- Still target for regulators as you scale
When to use clustered accounts
- Large operator (group by geography or type)
- Master lease model
The benefits of having one account per owner
- Owners control quality of listing
- Low risk (one owner doesn’t impact others)
The disadvantages of having one account per owner
- Takes time to gain traction for new listing
- Need PMS, phone number and ID for each
Anton’s advice on launching a new listing
- Require one-night stays to ramp up reviews
- Compete on price for first month
- Offer value-add for guests (e.g.: gift basket)
Who might use one account per owner
- Property managers
- Hosts in strict regulatory environment
Anton’s take on small operators trying to build a brand
- 70% of travelers don’t remember who stayed with
- Personal site can’t compete with OTAs for bookings
- Payment + privacy risks in building booking engine
Connect with Anton
Resources
Email jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com
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