9 Effective Ways to Advertise Your Short-Term Rental Besides Airbnb

In today's competitive short-term rental market, getting your property in front of potential guests is crucial. While Airbnb is a popular choice to help advertise short term rentals, it's not everyone's cup of tea. Here are nine platforms and methods you can use to effectively advertise your short-term rental and boost your bookings.

1. Vrbo (formerly HomeAway)

Vrbo, which stands for "Vacation Rentals by Owner," is another major player in the short-term rental space, particularly popular for family vacations and group trips.

Pros:

• Focuses on entire home rentals

• Attracts family and group travelers

• Option for annual subscription or pay-per-booking

Cons:

• Smaller user base compared to Airbnb

• May not be as suitable for urban or shared accommodations

2. Booking.com

While primarily known for hotel bookings, Booking.com has expanded into the vacation rental market, offering a platform for short-term rental owners to list their properties.

Pros:

• Large, global user base

• Integration with meta-search engines like Kayak and Trivago

• No guest service fees

Cons:

• Higher host fees compared to some platforms

• Strong competition from hotels

  
  

3. TripAdvisor Rentals

TripAdvisor's rental section allows you to list your property alongside its vast database of travel reviews and recommendations.

Pros:

• Integration with TripAdvisor's popular review platform

• Potential for cross-promotion with local attractions

• No traveler fees

Cons:

• Less focused on rentals compared to dedicated platforms

• May require more effort to stand out

4. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook's Marketplace has a section dedicated to rental properties, including short-term rentals. This can be an effective way to reach a local or targeted audience.

Pros:

• Free to list

• Ability to tap into your existing network

• Option to boost posts for wider reach

Cons:

• Less structure than dedicated rental platforms

• Potential safety concerns with direct bookings

5. Instagram

While not a traditional rental platform, Instagram can be a powerful tool for showcasing your property visually and building a following.

Pros:

• Highly visual platform perfect for showcasing property features

• Ability to reach niche audiences through hashtags

• Can link to your direct booking site or other platforms

Cons:

• Requires consistent effort to build a following

• Not designed for direct bookings

6. Google Vacation Rentals

Google has entered the vacation rental space, allowing properties listed on partner sites to appear in search results and Google Maps.

Pros:

• Massive reach through Google search

• Integration with Google Maps for location-based searches

• No additional fees (beyond partner site fees)

Cons:

• No direct listing option (must list through a partner site)

• Limited control over how your listing appears

7. Niche Rental Sites

Depending on your property type or location, niche rental sites can be effective. Examples include Glamping Hub for unique stays, Plum Guide for luxury rentals, or MisterB&B for LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations.

Pros:

• Targeted audience more likely to be interested in your specific offering

• Often less competition than on larger platforms

• Can command higher rates for specialized offerings

Cons:

• Smaller overall audience

• May require listing on multiple niche sites to maximize reach

8. Your Own Website

Creating a dedicated website for your rental property gives you full control over your brand and booking process.

Pros:

• Complete control over content and booking process

• No commission fees

• Ability to build a direct relationship with guests

Cons:

• Requires significant effort to set up and maintain

• Need to drive your own traffic through SEO and marketing

  
  

9. Local Tourism Boards

Many local tourism boards or chambers of commerce offer listings for accommodations

in their area.

Pros:

• Targets travelers specifically interested in your location

• Often inexpensive or free to list

• Can provide credibility through association with official tourism channels

Cons:

• Limited reach compared to global platforms

• May have strict criteria for listings

  
  

By leveraging a combination of these platforms and methods, you can create a comprehensive marketing strategy for your short-term rental. Remember to tailor your approach based on your specific property, target audience, and local regulations. Happy hosting!