Airbnb’s website occasionally experiences downtime. According to Downdetector, the platform has experienced outages and issues on several occasions in the past, impacting both hosts and guests. While it’s unclear whether the cause was due to maintenance or technical difficulties, the consequences of such Airbnb site crashes can significantly disrupt the host-guest experience.
Imagine a newlywed couple heading out to their Airbnb cabin to set out their honeymoon journey to be remembered for a lifetime, and all of a sudden all connection with their host is lost, and they wind up wandering around worrying how to check in. Online check-in process, check-in and check-out instructions reporting maintenance issues, payments and all related issues will be impacted following Airbnb crash of whatever sort.
As a host, you’ll be left with a swarm of complaints that could have been easily avoided – and even turned into a competitive advantage – if you had direct access to your guests’ contact details.
Use the tips in our blog post, Building Direct Guest Relationships on Airbnb, to connect directly with guests and capture every booking opportunity. You’ll be well-prepared to handle any Airbnb downtime, ensuring your guests and your business stay connected.
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Airbnb Email Addresses
Airbnb’s policy still revolves around providing anonymised, temporary email addresses for both hosts and guests once a reservation is made. While hosts can access the guest’s real email address through the Airbnb platform after booking, the platform claims that this system is in place to “build trust, fight scammers, and protect your personal information.” However, this system also limits hosts’ ability to communicate directly with their guests outside of the Airbnb platform, making it harder to establish a more personal connection and drive future direct bookings.
But what if, as a host, you could take the initiative and gain access to your guests’ real contact details, whether they book through Airbnb or any other Online Travel Agency (OTA)? This presents an opportunity not only to contact your guests during platform outages but also to build a valuable database of real email addresses for future marketing purposes. Over time, this reduces your reliance on Airbnb and other OTAs while helping you avoid their high commissions.
What Can Be Done During Airbnb Crashes?
Zeevou’s 5-Step Online Check-In Process is designed to help hosts collect guest contact details in a GDPR-compliant manner, which is a must for any marketer in the industry today. Guests are asked to confirm or update their booking details. Any email addresses provided by OTAs or booking agents are hidden, and guests are prompted to share their real email addresses.
Additionally, they are asked to provide their estimated time of arrival and consent to marketing communications in compliance with GDPR guidelines. If the person making the booking is not the person staying at the property, the main guest’s details are also collected. This step also allows you to enquire if the booking is for leisure or work purposes.
Why Leave Your Vacation Rental Business to Chance?
With the frequent crashes of large platforms like Airbnb, relying solely on them for your business can be a risky move. Why not take control and create your own direct booking strategy? By using and joining Zeevou, the Direct Booking Revolution, you can ensure a smoother experience for both you and your guests, while reducing your reliance on third-party platforms.
