Initial impressions matter. Potential guests will only evaluate your vacation rental by its appearance or the aroma of freshly baked bread when it comes to marketing. They will base their decision entirely on your website, its visuals, and the mental pictures your property description evokes.
Online booking income surpassed $92.5 million in the previous year. Booking a holiday online, including flights, activities, and lodging, is now simpler than ever. If your conversion rate for bookings from inquiries is less than 50%, it’s possible that your description needs to be fixed and influence people to pick another hotel.
What constitutes a decent description for a vacation rental listing?
An excellent vacation rental communicates in clear, consistent language, lists all of the property’s key attributes, and persuades visitors to book with you.
On the other hand, poor grammar, poor sentence organization, excessively long sentences, and obvious spelling errors are a turnoff. Additionally, it would be best if you steered clear of using a tonne of overused words and pointless phrases in your vacation rental listing description.
What specifically should you avoid, then? See the list of 10 terms below that you must never use to describe your vacation rental.
Mistake #1 in a vacation property listing: “Something for everyone.”
Historic sites, beautifully planted gardens, well-known amusement parks, sandy beaches, energizing hikes, and chef-owned restaurants could all be close to your vacation property. Giving the reader those specifics is essential rather than choosing the convenient “something for everyone” approach.
What to replace
Avoid making broad generalizations by focusing on the specific activities and sights that are close to your home. Doing so will encourage the reader to imagine themselves vacationing there. Describe how each persona will be satisfied by your vacation rental. Consider adding “excellent for families and children” to your listing if families frequently stay at your resort.
Mistake #2 in a vacation property listing: “Broken”
Messages like “open gently to protect the hinges” or “please ignore the broken drawer which is due to be fixed” instantly send people away. A simple written warning of a potential hazard can make potential visitors fearful of getting hurt, held accountable, or charged for damaged property, which will cause them to move on to the next rental property right away.
What to replace
Never justify something that is broken, damaged, or flawed. To prevent negative reviews and probable cancellations, get it repaired right away. It’s the least expensive option over the long term.
Mistake #3 in a vacation rental listing: “Unique”
Every rental home is distinctive. It would be a waste to use this word to describe your vacation rental.
What to replace
Make every word count positively rather than stating the obvious and running the danger of losing the reader’s interest.
“Show, don’t tell” is typical writing advice for travelers. Allow the reader to picture themselves “enjoying a bubbly soak in the huge tub with a glass of wine and gentle candlelight” rather than simply describing the details, such as a marble bathroom with a whirlpool tub.
Mistake #4 in a vacation rental listing: “Breathtaking”
Although it seems like every property has “breathtaking” views, this once potent phrase is now so overused that it no longer elicits any strong feelings in the reader. Try changing up the description with something more eloquent and expressive when expressing your scenery, beach, or sunset views.
What to replace
Tell potential guests about your surroundings and what they’ll be missing if they don’t stay with you. For instance, using language like “majestic mountain views,” “dramatic fiery sunsets,” “shimmering green rivers,” and “pastoral sheep-nibbled landscapes” would help the reader form a much more vivid mental image.
Mistake #5 in a vacation rental listing: “Must”
When informed they “must” accomplish anything during their much-needed vacation, visitors searching for a tranquil break may respond badly. The independence that visitors desire is not implied by telling someone they “must” go somewhere or “must” do anything.
What to replace
It may be true that guests “must” use the available trash cans to dispose of their trash, “must” walk through one bedroom to access another, or “must” clean up after their pets, but your vacation rental description is not the place to employ such insistent language. Instead, you might include these rules in your house rules or terms and conditions.
Just mention “suggestions” or “our top recommendations” when it comes to local attractions.
Mistake #6 in a vacation property listing: “Nice”
Nice is a cliche or trite word; it’s one of those words that has lost its freshness due to overuse. It was once a new and potent phrase, but nowadays it implies that the author is unoriginal and overly lazy. You don’t want potential guests to think your vacation rental properties are subpar and your company practices are careless, do you?
What to replace
Change the words you use to say “nice” for terms like “pleasant,” “stunning,” “enjoyable,” “uber-comfortable,” “bewitching,” and “charming” – anything that sounds more appealing.
Mistake #7 in a vacation property listing: “World-class”
The adjective “world-class” is probably a tremendous exaggeration unless you are describing the Louvre in Paris, a three-Michelin star restaurant, or an Olympic medalist. It’s unlikely that your neighborhood pancake place delivers “world-class” cuisine, so don’t write anything that won’t live up to the hype.
What to replace
Consider using more honest and realistic adjectives, such as “extraordinary” or “excellent.” Use adjectives like “tasty” or “homemade” when describing meals.
Mistake #8 in a vacation rental listing: “Hidden Gem”
Although the original author of the phrase “hidden gem” was fully aware of what they were proposing, the meaning has completely been lost as a result of its overuse. Skeptical readers might even start to wonder if your holiday accommodation is a “hidden treasure” after all.
What to replace
Instead of using another overused word like “off-the-beaten-path,” try coming up with something more creative.
Mistake #9 in a vacation rental listing: “Small”
Avoid mentioning how small or crowded a room or studio is. There are countless inventive methods to accurately describe a small home without lying, which can only lead to negative reviews.
What to replace
Improve the way you utilize language. Bijou, snug, thoughtfully planned, and romantic pied-Ã -Terre all conjure up a whimsical image of an intimate and welcoming room that, although small, has its romantic charm and homey appeal.
Mistake #10 in a vacation rental listing: “Never”
It’s preferable to refrain from knowingly using a negative word, even when intended to be pleasant. The adverb “never” is forceful and unyielding. It might seem rigid and forceful, even in the statement “a vacation you will never forget.” This might be off-putting for someone trying to escape the daily grind of job, responsibility, and habit.
What to replace
Consider using a milder, more enticing term like “a vacation you will remember forever.”
So there you have it—the top 10 phrases and terms you must never use in your listing descriptions. Why not enlist the assistance of a professional writer or writing service if you are not up to performing the work yourself?
