How to Turn One-Time Airbnb Guests Into Repeat Direct Bookings (Complete Guide)

Key Highlights

• Find out why it is good to have repeat guests. They help lower your operating costs and keep your occupancy rates steady.
• Learn how to move guests from Airbnb to your own booking site. This way, you do not have to pay commission fees and can make more profit.
• Get nine proven tips like building loyalty programs and giving guests a personal touch. These things help them want to come back.
• See step-by-step how to collect guest information. Use it to get more repeat guests booking straight with you.
• Check out a real-life story about a host. He got 40% repeat direct bookings and saved a lot of money on fees.

Introduction

As an Airbnb host, you know that each guest who comes in can be a bit of a risk. You put in your time and work to get the booking. You hope that everything goes well during their stay. But what if you could change those guests who stay just one time into repeat guests you can count on? Bringing back guests helps your rental business be less random and more steady. You can make real money this way. Here is a simple guide to help you make a good guest experience. You will learn how to use easy steps so guests will want to come back. Many of them may even book with you again, and that helps your rental business grow.

Why Repeat Direct Bookings Matter for Airbnb Hosts

Repeat guests are key to growing and keeping your rental business strong. When people come back, you know what they want and need. This makes things easier for you, and there is less stress since there are no surprises. They know your place and your rules, so they ask fewer questions. There are also fewer problems.

The best part is, when you get repeat guests to book from your own website, you make more money. You do not have to pay big fees to OTAs, so you get to set your prices and talk with your guests the way you want. This helps you build a loyal customer base that will support your rental business for a long time.

Boosting Airbnb Guest Retention for Higher Profits

Focusing on guest retention can be one of the best ways to grow your revenue. In fact, getting new guests costs much more money than keeping the ones you have. You already got them to choose your place and made sure they had a great stay. Now, you need to make sure they want to come back.

When guests feel happy and important, they may come back again. They already know and trust your property after their first visit. If you build on what you’ve already started, you spend less money on trying to get new guests and can spend more time giving really good service. This simple change in customer behavior—going from a first-time guest to repeat customers—can have a clear good effect on your profits.

It’s good to have a plan that helps your brand grow. You want to keep talking with your past guests and remind them of the great guest experience they had. By doing this, you make it more likely for guests to book again. That's how you get steady, higher profits. Are you ready to move on from searching for new guests all the time and instead focus on building real loyalty?

The Impact of Direct Bookings on Host Revenue

Moving guests away from platforms like Airbnb and toward your own direct booking site has a massive impact on your revenue. When a guest books through an OTA, a significant portion of the payment—often around 15.5%—goes toward commission fees. With a direct booking, you keep 100% of the earnings.

Consider this simple comparison for a $1,000 booking. The difference in your take-home pay is substantial and adds up quickly over time. This is money you can reinvest into your property or simply add to your profits.

By encouraging direct bookings, you can offer guests a better rate while still earning more on every stay. This strategy helps stabilize occupancy rates, gives you more control over your rental business, and ultimately puts more money in your pocket.

Building Better Relationships and Earning Great Reviews

Having a direct relationship with your guests is important if you want them to come back and leave good reviews. When you control how you talk with guests, you can give them a better guest experience. You can remember what they like, help celebrate their special days, and make them feel like they matter. This will make them feel like more than just another customer.

When you connect with people in this way, they often turn into loyal customers. They may tell others about you and your place. Because they feel close to you, these guests may also leave five-star, good reviews for you. Their reviews give new guests and your customer base more trust in what you do.

At the end of the day, guest satisfaction happens because guests trust you and feel cared for. If you want to stand out, try going beyond the basic, hands-off style of OTA platforms. Build real relationships so guests want to come back, speak well about you, and help your brand grow stronger than most others.

How Direct Booking Sites Transform Airbnb Guest Retention

Airbnb helps you get new guests, but the site keeps you apart from them. If you want your business to last, you need to have a direct relationship with your guests. Having your own direct booking site can help you with this. The website for your vacation rental does not charge you any commission fees, so you can get repeat business without paying extra for each booking.

You should not let happy guests go back to Airbnb every time they want to book. You can ask them to book on your own site instead. When guests book with you directly, you stay in control. You can make a list of loyal customers, talk to them yourself, and keep building those connections. This will be important for guest retention and will help you make sure people return year after year. If you use a vacation rental website builder like BNB Direct, it’s easy to make this switch.

Moving Guests from Airbnb to Your Own Site

The idea is simple. Start by using Airbnb to find new guests for your rental property. Your guest will book their first stay with you on Airbnb. While they are at your place, you make sure they have a great time. This will make them want to come back.

The next step is to get them to use your own site when they want to book again. All you need to do is get their email while they are staying. Later, send them a message and offer something special only on your website. This gives them a good reason to skip Airbnb for their next booking.

This booking process lets you use Airbnb's big audience to reach lots of new people for their first stay. Then, you can use your own direct booking platform for Airbnb hosts to keep guests coming back. This helps you save money on fees that other sites charge and gives you full control over all bookings.

Essential Features of a Direct Booking Platform

To get guests to book with you again, your direct booking platform should be more than just a page on the web. It needs to be like a light property management system. This will help your guests rebook with ease and make it simple for you to handle bookings. When you pick from various platforms, go for one that gives you the tools you need to build loyalty.

A good platform, like an instant vacation rental website from BNB Direct, comes with features to help make your marketing easy and automatic. You do not have to be a tech expert. The right vacation rental website builder will take care of most parts for you. The main thing is to use a property management system that lets you keep your guest data, reach out again, and get more bookings. All of this should happen without adding a lot to your own work.

Essential features to look for include:

• Guest Database: A single spot where you can save contact details and booking history.
• Email Marketing Tools: Send out thank-you emails, special offers, and newsletters to your guests.
• Discount Code Creation: Quickly make your own promo codes and manage them, so you can offer deals for booking direct.
• Simple Rebooking Interface: An easy calendar guests can use to book again, which makes the process smooth for them.

Collecting and Using Guest Data Responsibly

If you want to own your guest data, you first need to collect it. Without an email address or phone number, there is no way for you to reach out to guests once they leave. The best time to ask for this information is during their first stay. You have their attention and a good connection at that moment.

There are a few good ways to do this that do not bother the guests. You can ask for their email address when they fill out a custom pre-arrival form. Many places also offer free Wi-Fi if the guest shares their email on a splash page. Tools like StayFi work with your Wi-Fi and make it easy to get this contact info from guests.

Always be honest with your guests about why you ask for their contact details. Tell them what you will use it for and get their OK before you add them to any list, especially if the law says you have to. Treating their data in a good way helps build trust and creates a great guest experience.

Beginner’s Guide to Turning Airbnb Guests Into Repeat Direct Bookings

Ready to turn your Airbnb guests into repeat customers? You might think it's hard, but it can be simple. You do not need a big budget or tough marketing plans. You just have to focus on good program design and a few easy steps.

This guide gives you all you need to know. You will see the best tools and follow a simple plan you can use right now. You will find out how to get guest details, make great offers, and show why booking with you again is the best choice. Let’s get started.

What You Need to Get Started (Resources & Tools)

Getting started with your direct booking strategy is easier than you may think. You need some basic resources and tools for this. The good thing is, most of them are easy to use and not too costly. You do not need a big property management software system. You can get going with just a few simple tools.

The main thing you need is your own direct booking website. A platform like BNB Direct helps turn your Airbnb listing into your own website fast. This way, you can have a nice vacation rental site that does not charge any extra commission. You only have to paste your Airbnb link, and your new website will be ready in minutes. This website will be the main place where all your direct booking efforts come together.

Here are the important tools to have:

• A direct booking site builder (e.g., BNB Direct)
• A way to get guest emails and phone numbers (for example, pre-arrival forms or from a Wi-Fi login page)
• An email service so you can send out updates and campaigns automatically (most direct booking platforms have this feature already)
• A way to use your own payment processor so you can take payments safely

By using these tools, you can work smarter and get the most out of your property management efforts. You do not have to rely on big property management software right away. This simple setup can help you bring in more direct bookings with less effort.

Step-by-Step Process to Convert First-Time Guests to Direct Bookers

Turning a first-time guest into someone who books with you directly starts from their first stay. The main idea is to make sure they have a great time and find your offer for booking direct so attractive. You want them to prefer it over using Airbnb the next time they visit. If you follow a simple, step-by-step routine, you won't miss any chance to get repeat guests.

The way works to help build a good relationship. It builds trust and guides the guest step by step to book on the site you want. Each step connects that guest who first came through an OTA into a part of your customer base. In this way, you can get more repeat guests for your property.

Here’s the easy five-step plan:

• Get the guest’s contact details when they come for their first stay.
• After they leave, send them a message saying thank you for staying.
• Offer them a special discount for their next booking made with you directly.
• Make it easy for them to book again on your BnbDirect site.
• Stay in touch by sending helpful emails from time to time.

Step 1: Capture Guest Contact Information During the Stay

The first thing you need is your guest’s email address. This step is the most important. If you don’t have it, you won’t be able to talk to them after they check out. Airbnb hides this info, so you have to find a way to get it while they are still at your rental property.

You can do this by sharing a digital guidebook or a form before check-in. Ask your guest for their email so you can send updates or local tips. Let them know this will make their guest experience better. Most people will give you their email if they see it is helpful.

Another easy way to get an email is by offering something the guest will need. For example, set up a Wi-Fi page that asks for their email before they can use the internet. This will collect their email right away. Most guests know about this and are okay with it. This keeps everything easy and helps you build a good guest experience at your rental property.

Step 2: Send a Personalized Thank-You Message With Direct Booking Offer

After your guest checks out, be sure to reach out again soon. Send a message within a day or two, and thank them for choosing you. Use their name, and mention something from their stay to show that you cared about their time at your place, not just about making money. This is a small thing, but it can do a lot. It helps raise guest satisfaction and makes them feel like one of us, not just new guests passing through.

In this message, you can also encourage them to come back. After the thank-you, invite them to book with you for their next trip. Tell them you have a special rate for returning guests who use your direct website. This is where you can share your commission-free booking site, BnbDirect.

Make sure it’s easy for them. Put a clear link to your BnbDirect website right in the message. Let them know that booking direct saves them money, and they get perks they won’t find for new guests on other platforms. It shows them your website is the good, smart way to book next time.

Step 3: Provide an Exclusive Discount Code for Their Next Stay

A thank-you message is nice, but giving the guest a real offer is what truly gets them to act. Including special offers, like an exclusive discount, in your follow-up email gives people a strong reason to book with you right away. Research says that 64% of vacation rental hosts use these offers to get people to come back, because offer discounts like this really work.

Make a custom promo code that guests can use on your booking site. Try something simple, such as "RETURN10" for 10% off. This makes it easy for them to remember and to use. It’s important to make the offer feel special and just for them, since they have stayed before. This shows them that you see their business as important, and you are giving them real value.

When you offer discounts, you are not just giving up on some money for that booking. You are putting that 10% towards building a long-term relationship with the guest. The small cut is much less than the 15.5% commission you would pay to Airbnb. You get to keep more from your booking, and your guest gets to pay less. This is a win-win for both sides and it helps build loyalty.

Step 4: Make Rebooking Simple Through Your BnbDirect Site

Your direct booking site should be very easy for people to use. If the booking process feels hard or slow, they will go back to use Airbnb because they know it well. You want to give guests a smooth and professional booking experience. This helps people trust your site and want to book again. The main goal is to focus on what makes the user’s experience good.

Your BnbDirect site needs to show a clear and simple booking calendar. Put up high-quality photos and list all property details that people look for. Picking dates on the calendar, adding their custom promo code, and then paying should take only a few clicks. Having direct booking software helps here, because it is made for this job.

When the booking process is clear and guests see that your site is honest, they do not worry about booking outside a big site. This helps you build your rental business and create a brand people will know and trust with their future stays.

Step 5: Maintain Engagement With Automated Email Sequences

Getting one repeat booking from a guest is good, but what you really want is to make them a repeat customer for life. To do this, you have to be on their mind, but not get in the way. An automated email sequence can help with that. When a guest is added to your email list, you can stay in touch and build trust over time.

Start by setting up a simple set of emails that get sent out on their own. Send the first thank-you note right away. Then send a check-in email after a few months. You could tell them something new about your property, or give a gentle reminder about their discount. During special times of the year, send newsletters with tips on local events or share any special offers you have for vacations or holidays.

It’s important to give value with every email. Don’t just ask them to book again. Give guests reasons to remember your property. Share a tip about the area, say when you add something new, or give an early bird discount. When you engage with guests in a thoughtful way, your property gets added to their travel ideas. This helps them become loyal, repeat customers.

Real-Life Success Story: How Maria Achieved 40% Repeat Direct Bookings

Let’s go over a real-world story. Maria is an Airbnb host with two places. She got tired of always paying commission fees. She also did not like that she did not have control over her own business. Maria chose to start a strategy where she tried to get her Airbnb guests to come back and book directly with her. She set up her own vacation rental website that did not have any commission fees. She told guests to use her site for booking their next stay.

The results were better than she hoped. In her first year, Maria got a few direct bookings. By her second year, she ran a loyalty program that worked well. Maria had a 40% repeat booking rate from guests who used her direct site at both properties. Because of this, her calendar was always full with good and trusted guests. This also boosted her income with special exclusive offers for them.

Key Strategies Used and Savings Gained

Maria had a simple marketing strategy that worked really well. She did not use hard tools or spend a lot on ads. Instead, she put her energy into making strong connections and giving guests clear rewards. This plan is the best one any host can use to get loyal customers and strong results.

By using her strategy often, Maria was able to fill her space with guests she knew and trusted. Her profits also went up by a good amount. She saved a lot of money by not paying OTA fees. In her second year, Maria saved more than $4,200 in fees. That money stayed in her pocket. Because guests were happier, she got more good reviews from loyal customers.

Here are the key strategies Maria used:

• Created a BnbDirect Site: She made a direct booking website to be the main place for bookings without commission costs.
• Collected Guest Emails: At every stay, Maria got guest emails through a digital welcome book.
• Offered a 10% Discount: She sent each guest a thank-you email with a 10% discount for their next direct booking.
• Nurtured Relationships: Maria kept in touch with former guests every few months with a newsletter about local events.

Nine Proven Strategies to Increase Airbnb Guest Retention and Direct Bookings

Besides the basic step-by-step process, there are many smart ways to improve guest experience that can help increase guest retention and get more direct bookings. These ideas help to make your property feel warm and inviting, like a home where guests want to come back again.

Trying out even a few of these ways can make a significant difference in how people see your brand. The main goal is not just to give someone a bed for the night, but to offer great times that help new guests to feel welcome. This can turn them into loyal guests who will want to keep coming back for years.

Implementing a Loyalty Program for Returning Guests

A formal loyalty program helps you keep repeat guests coming back. It lets you set up a simple system for guest retention and makes guests feel valued when they return. Instead of giving random discounts, you use a rewards program. This way, guests know what they get for being loyal. The program design can be just how you want. It can be easy or have more layers.

Think about using a points system. Guests get points for each night they stay. They can use the points for rewards like discounts, free nights after enough stays, or get free things like drinks or snacks. You might add levels, too. With a tiered program, guests can unlock bigger perks. For example, they can get free early check-in or a welcome bottle of wine if they stay often.

To have a successful loyalty program, keep it clear and simple. Show repeat guests how they earn perks and how to use them. Give rewards that matter to them. This shows you value their choice and gives them a good reason to come back every time they visit.

Personalizing Guest Experiences to Encourage Loyalty

People now want guest experience that feels just for them, not something plain for all. It helps to guest satisfaction when you notice their likes and habits from before. For example, if they liked the coffee you served last time, be sure it is ready and waiting when they come back. That little extra effort matters.

Thoughtful extras can turn a good stay into something more. If you find out a guest has their birthday or an anniversary while they are with you, give them a note in your own handwriting and a simple gift. These little things show that you see them as real people, not just a booking number.

Making their visit special doesn’t have to cost a lot. It is more about those small details, like being flexible on check-out time if you can, or putting a bowl of fresh flowers in their room. The little extra effort you put in will help guests feel important, and most of them will want to come back again.

Incentivizing Referrals for New Direct Bookings

Your happiest guests can be your best marketers. When you ask people to send in referrals, you bring in new guests who likely fit well with your place. At the same time, you help people who have stayed with you feel loyal. If someone tells a friend about your rental, that person is saying your place gave them a good time.

Make a simple referral program. Give past guests a small reward, such as a discount for their next visit or a gift card, every time they get a new guest to book direct with you. Give those guests a custom promo code. Let them share it with friends and family, so you can track who is coming for the first time.

This way, you build a good cycle. Loyal guests feel like you value them and get a reward from you. You get new guests through what people say in person and online. Exclusive offers for referrals can be one of the most low-cost and good ways to get more direct bookings for your business.

Offering Local Perks and Privileges for Repeat Guests

Make your repeat guests feel special. Offer them perks and special offers that first-time guests do not get. Many of these things do not have to cost much, or anything at all. Still, they add real value to the guest experience. They help people feel happy and cared for when they stay with you.

Think about what your guests like. Think about what would make things easier or more fun for them. If you can be a little flexible, it will help a lot. A simple “thank you” or a small gesture lets them know you care. It shows that you trust them. These things help people choose your place over and over again. These special offers encourage repeat guests to stay loyal.

Here are some ideas for privileges you can give:

• First Choice of Dates: Give repeat guests early access to your calendar, before other people can book.
• Flexible Check-In/Out: Offer them early check-in or let them check out late, if you can.
• Waived Fees: You can take away the cleaning fee or pet fee for your loyal guests.
• Local Discounts: Work with local cafes, restaurants, and attractions so your guests get exclusive deals and save money.

Building a Community for Past Guests

Some guests come back because they feel they are a part of something special. You can help this feeling grow by making a community around the place you rent. This helps keep the bond strong between the guests and your property. It also gets them to keep up with your brand even if they are not traveling right now.

You can use social media channels like Instagram or a private Facebook group. These can let past guests connect with each other. Share news about your place, show nice photos to make them want to visit again, and ask them to post their memories and pictures from past stays. If you ask questions and take part in talks, you help the group grow and stay active.

You can also have an email newsletter. Use it to tell stories about what is new in your local area and talk about things that past guests loved. This makes people remember your place and lets your repeat customers feel like they know something extra. In the end, this builds their loyalty and raises guest satisfaction.

Using Guest Feedback to Improve Future Stays

Your guests are the most useful source of tips on how to make your rental better. Getting and using guest feedback shows that you want to give people the best guest experience you can. It helps you find and solve problems. It also helps your guests know they are heard and that you care about their stay.

Look at post-stay surveys. You can also read all your reviews to spot things guests say more than once. Are there comments about slow Wi-Fi? Did some people not find a kitchen tool they wanted? It can be easy to fix these things, and they can make a significant difference for everyone who stays in your place. Using data analytics from guest feedback can even help you see patterns that you might not see right away.

If you make any changes from a guest's idea, let them know. You might say, "Thanks to your feedback, we've upgraded our coffee maker!" By doing this, you close the loop and show your true commitment to guest satisfaction. It also makes it more likely for people to come back again to see what you have changed for the better.

Avoiding Common Mistakes That Hurt Repeat Bookings

Doing the right things to improve guest retention is key, but you also need to watch out for mistakes that could hurt the guest experience. If just one thing goes wrong, it can undo all your work and make guests not want to come back. The first thing you can do is look out for these common problems.

If there is not the same level of service each time, it can get in the way of loyalty. People come back because they want to get that same good treatment and comfort again. If the room is not clean, a feature isn't working, or messages aren't clear, people may lose trust. This can stop them from booking with you again.

Here are some mistakes that you need to watch out for:

• Inaccurate Listings: Always keep your photos and info current. If guests see something that is not what they expected, they get let down.
• Poor Communication: When you do not respond quickly or do not help, guests feel like no one cares about them.
• Ignoring Feedback: Not changing things after guests say something is wrong or make suggestions shows that guest experience is not important to you.
• Making Direct Booking Difficult: If booking is too hard or the site does not look safe, guests will go back to Airbnb instead.

Measuring the Success of Your Repeat Direct Booking Efforts

To see if your plans are working, you need to check your results. It's not just to feel good about your work, but to find out what helps so you can keep doing what makes a significant difference and change what doesn’t. Simple data analytics can help you know if you are making a good change in your rental property business.

Start by looking at a few main points in your property management system or in a simple spreadsheet. One important point is the number of direct bookings you get each month. You also need to watch the number of first-time guests compared to repeat guests. This will show you if guest retention is improving as time goes by.

There are also other things to look at. Check your total occupancy rates and see your revenue for each available room (RevPAR). If you get more bookings without paying commissions, your average money from each stay should go up. Seeing these numbers go up will show you that your work to get direct bookings for your property management is helping.

Leveraging Email and Messaging Tools for Retention

Consistent communication is key to keeping guests. Modern tools make this easier. With email and messaging tools, you can reach out to your guests automatically. You can build personal campaigns for many people at once. You do not need to spend hours on manual follow ups. This helps save time.

After you build your email list, you should use an email marketing platform. It may be part of your direct booking site. You can set up automatic sequences for different needs. Send thank-you emails after their stay, let them know about special offers, or share seasonal news. The tools use data like the guest’s name and past bookings, so each guest feels special. This can boost how much people engage with you.

Messaging tools are also helpful. They let you quickly answer guest questions or help with any issues during their stay. Fast replies can lead to better reviews. Guests often have a better time because of this. When you use email marketing along with quick messaging, you build loyalty. It can also help you get more repeat bookings.

Conclusion

Getting Airbnb guests to book with you again, straight through your website, helps you make more money and keep them coming back. When you collect info from your guests and give special offers, they have a smoother way to book, moving from Airbnb to your own site. This helps you hold on to guests longer, and you keep all the money from their stay without having to pay big fees to others. Building your booking site can save you money over time and help guest retention, just as Maria did. Want to start? Download our email templates and build your direct booking website today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Airbnb bookings are typically repeat guests?

The percentage of repeat guests on Airbnb depends on where the rental property is and what type it is. If you have a rental property in a place that lots of families like to visit, you may get more repeat guests. If the place is a city apartment where people stay for business, you may not get as many repeat guests. Data analytics say the repeat guest rate can be from 5% to over 40% for hosts who have a good plan for keeping guests coming back.

Are discounts actually effective for retaining Airbnb guests?

Yes, discounts work well when you use them in the right way. Exclusive offers made for repeat customers help them feel important. The deals give them a clear reason to come back and book with you. To change customer behavior, it is important to show real value. Do this by offering deals that make people want to skip OTAs and choose the better offer on your site.

How does a loyalty program help with Airbnb guest retention?

A loyalty program shows that you value guests who come back. With a good program design, like a rewards program with points or special perks, people have a real reason to return. This makes guests feel special and part of a group. It helps turn one-time guests into loyal customers who pick your place again and again.

What are common pitfalls to avoid when encouraging repeat direct bookings?

Some usual mistakes are not getting guest contact details, giving guests a mixed guest experience, and making the booking process harder than it has to be. Poor talk with guests and not caring about what they say or write can make guest satisfaction go down fast. This can hurt your rental business and its plans to get more direct bookings.