Have you ever wondered whether you should use a professional logo or image instead of a more personal image for your Airbnb profile? We sifted through a trove of data at IntelliHost, and the insights could surprise you.
When it comes to hosting and managing properties on the OTA’s, every detail counts, from the description of your space to the profile image you choose. But how much impact does this image have? Is a logo better for professional appeal, or does a personal photo resonate more with potential guests? At IntelliHost, we dove into the data to see if these choices affect listing metrics and review scores.
Conversion Rate: A Surprising Similarity
Our analysis started with a straightforward question: does the type of profile image – a logo or a personal photo – influence how often browsers become bookers? Surprisingly, the answer was clear-cut.
The average conversion rate hovered around 1.2% regardless of whether hosts used a logo or a personal photo. This similarity extended across other booking funnel metrics, indicating that the type of profile image has a negligible impact on the likelihood of a guest booking your property.
Review Scores: The Subtle Influence of Personalization
However, when we shifted our focus to review scores, a subtle but notable difference emerged. Listings with personal images (or non-logo images) averaged a review score of 4.39, significantly higher than the 4.24 average for those with logos.
This suggests that while the choice of profile image might not sway a guest’s decision to book, it could influence their overall satisfaction and perception of their stay.
Interpreting the Data: Authenticity vs. Professionalism
These findings open up a fascinating discussion about guest perceptions and preferences. The similar conversion rates suggest that guests might not place significant importance on whether a host profile displays a logo or a personal image when making booking decisions.
The primary factors driving their choices could be more related to the property itself, its location, amenities, and price.
On the other hand, the difference in review scores, albeit small, hints that guests might feel a slightly stronger connection or sense of trust with hosts who present themselves through personal images. This could stem from the perceived authenticity and personal touch a photo offers compared to a more corporate-feeling logo.
Practical Takeaways for Hosts
- Profile Image Choice May Not Affect Bookings: If you’re worried that your logo might deter guests, our data suggests otherwise. The type of profile image appears to have little bearing on conversion rates and other key booking metrics.
- Consider the Subtleties in Guest Experience: While your profile image might not make or break a booking, it could play a role in how guests perceive their stay. A personal photo might contribute to a slightly higher review score, perhaps due to a perceived closer connection with the host.
- Balance Authenticity and Professionalism: Ultimately, the choice between a logo and a personal photo should align with your branding strategy and how you wish to present your hosting business. If your brand emphasizes professional, streamlined service, a logo can reinforce that. If you’re aiming for a more personal, approachable vibe, a photo could be more effective.
In Conclusion: It’s About the Complete Package
As property managers ourselves, we have seen anecdotally that when we use our company logo instead of our individual images, our reviews drop significantly, and we get a much greater percentage of guests who try to get free stays, and money back.
We believe this to be because of a lack of sympathy for companies (i.e. “they have enough money as it is”) vs having care for individuals.
Our findings underscore that while details like profile images contribute to the overall guest experience, they are just one part of a much larger picture.
A successful Airbnb listing is a symphony of elements – from accurate and appealing property descriptions to responsive host communication and quality guest services. As always, the key is to understand your target audience and tailor your approach to meet their expectations and enhance their stay.
Hungry for More Insights?
For more myth-busting and invaluable Airbnb hosting tips, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE or following us on Instagram HERE.