What is Airbnb management software?

Airbnb management software is a specialised tool designed to help hosts efficiently manage their Airbnb listings. This software streamlines various aspects of running a short-term rental property on platforms like Airbnb, making it easier for hosts to stay organised and provide a high-quality experience for their guests.

Ever since Airbnb announced that they were allowing small B&Bs and boutique hotels to list on their platform, this management software has become increasingly popular – and for some providers, absolutely essential.

Why you need Airbnb management software for your small hotel

Hosting hotel rooms on Airbnb in the modern day is challenging. There’s a lot of competition, high guest expectations, multiple platforms to manage, local laws to comply with – it can get overwhelming. Here are just a few of the issues you may be facing right now:

  1. Competition and market saturation: With numerous accommodation options on Airbnb, hotels face increased competition from various property types, making it essential to stand out and attract potential guests.
  2. Pricing strategy: Setting room rates on Airbnb can be difficult due to fluctuating demand, seasonality, and local events. Hotels must balance competitive pricing with maintaining profitability.
  3. Meeting guest expectations: Airbnb guests often seek unique and personalised experiences that differ from traditional hotel stays. Hotels need to adapt their approach to cater to these expectations, providing local recommendations, personalised communication, and flexible check-in/check-out times.
  4. Managing multiple platforms: Hotels listing on Airbnb typically also list on other booking platforms, making it crucial to manage inventory and availability across all channels. Without proper channel management, there’s a risk of double bookings and inconsistencies in property information.
  5. Maintaining brand identity: Conveying a consistent brand message on Airbnb, a platform that emphasises unique and local experiences, can be challenging for hotels. Hoteliers need to showcase their property’s distinct features while effectively communicating their brand identity.
  6. Reviews and ratings management: Guest reviews on Airbnb significantly impact a property’s visibility and booking potential. Hotels must be proactive in managing guest feedback, responding to reviews, and addressing any issues to maintain a positive online reputation.
  7. Compliance with local regulations: Some cities and regions have specific regulations for short-term rentals, which can affect hotels listing on Airbnb. Hotels must be aware of and adhere to these regulations to avoid potential fines or restrictions.

And that’s just the beginning. However, every challenge comes with a solution – and for many hoteliers on Airbnb, that solution is Airbnb management software.

How does Airbnb management software work?

Airbnb management software works by connecting all of your individual Airbnb listings onto a centralised dashboard, so you can manage them from one place when you have multiple listings and your rentals are on several online channels

As a small hotel owner, using this kind of management software can help streamline your operations, enhance the guest experience, and ultimately boost your bookings and revenue. 

Here’s why you may need Airbnb management software for your small hotel:

Centralised dashboard

With multiple rooms or units to manage, having a centralised dashboard to oversee all your listings, update property information, and monitor availability can save time and reduce the risk of errors.

Synchronised calendars

Airbnb management software can sync your hotel’s calendar with other booking platforms, preventing double bookings and ensuring accurate availability information for potential guests.

Guest communication 

Automated messaging features can help you streamline communication with your guests, sending timely booking confirmations, check-in instructions, and post-stay follow-ups, improving guest satisfaction.

Revenue management

The software often includes revenue management tools, providing insights and recommendations on pricing strategies, which can help maximise revenue by adjusting room rates based on demand, seasonality, and local events.

Guest experience

By managing guest profiles and communication history, you can offer personalised experiences and foster strong relationships with your guests, leading to better reviews and increased customer loyalty.

Performance tracking

Detailed reports and analytics generated by the software can help you track your hotel’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to grow your business.

Basically, by incorporating Airbnb management software into your small hotel’s operations, you can simplify day-to-day tasks, offer exceptional guest experiences, and ultimately enhance your hotel’s performance and profitability. Many of the challenges you face are the result of too much to do and not enough time to do it. Airbnb management software takes some of that time back.

What is the difference between Airbnb management software and Airbnb booking software?

You might have seen Airbnb “booking software” as well, and now you’re wondering if they’re just the same thing. Not quite. They’re related, but there are some key differences:

Airbnb Management SoftwareAirbnb Booking Software
FunctionAirbnb management software focuses on streamlining the running of a short-term rental property. It helps hosts efficiently manage their Airbnb properties and enhance the overall guest experience. Airbnb booking software focuses on the reservation process and optimising bookings for hosts. It helps to synchronise reservations on Airbnb and other booking platforms to prevent double bookings and improve occupancy rates. 
Features
> Centralised listing management
> Calendar synchronisation 
> Automated messaging
> Revenue management
> Guest management
> Reporting and analytics
> Real-time calendar synchronisation
> Reservation management
> Booking confirmation automation
> Integrated payment processing

While both Airbnb management software and Airbnb booking software are designed to make hosting on Airbnb more efficient and profitable, the management software has a broader scope, covering various aspects of property management, while the booking software is more narrowly focused on optimising the reservation process. 

What is an example of Airbnb management software?

To find an example of leading Airbnb management software, you won’t have to look far! 

Little Hotelier is an all-in-one management platform that can help you manage practically every aspect of your hotel, including your listing on Airbnb. Our software includes:

  • A channel manager with 450+ OTAs
  • Cloud-based reservation management
  • Front desk system 
  • Automated guest communications
  • Competitor pricing insights
  • Reports and analytics
  • And more!

Airbnb management software is all about streamlining the running of your property, and that’s exactly what we’ve designed Little Hotelier to do. We want to make sure that you can spend less time on lengthy admin, repetitive management tasks, data collection and analysis, and all the other irritating but essential parts of hosting on Airbnb, and more time on growing your business, strategising and making your next moves, and (of course) actually enjoying yourself as a host.

Some other examples of Airbnb management software include:

  • Lodgify 
  • Hostaway
  • Guesty
  • Hostfully

Can Airbnb management software integrate with your hotel system? 

Before choosing Airbnb management software for your property, it’s crucial to consider how well your choice will integrate with any existing (or future!) software, systems or processes. 

Make sure to check if your chosen platform can integrate with your:

  • Booking engine
  • Calendars
  • Channel manager
  • Website
  • Social media presence
  • Marketing software
  • Housekeeping management

Without the correct integrations, any management software could create more problems than it solves. For example, although some providers claim they support an Airbnb connection through calendar technologies, these solutions have several limitations including the fact that they are not real-time connections, which can lead to disappointing guest experiences such as accidental double bookings and forced cancellations.

One last thing. As a hotelier, you’ll be on the go. Any software you choose should ideally be an Airbnb management app, not just a desktop software or mobile website. That way, you’ll be able to keep track of your business no matter what you’re attending to and where.

Is Little Hotelier the same as Airbnb management software?

Yes – but it does so much more! Little Hotelier has the same features as Airbnb management software and Airbnb booking software combined. 

It’s an all-in-one solution for your hotel, streamlining your day-to-day operations on a single platform as well as synchronising all your listings and reservations across 450+ channels (including Airbnb itself and all its alternatives, Expedia, Booking.com, and niche sites too). It’s also some of the best Airbnb automation software around, taking care of the day-to-day so you can focus on more important things.

Rather than relying on software that can only cater to one part of your business – the Airbnb side – Little Hotelier brings everything you need together. This includes:

  • Channel management
  • Calendar synchronisation
  • Website building
  • Direct bookings
  • Payment processing
  • Hotel operations management
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Reservation management
  • Guest communication
  • Admin automation
  • And more!

By centralising everything, you get a single source of truth that you can refer to and manage from, rather than needing to synchronise multiple different pieces of tech and software. As your business grows and you manage more listings, more often, across more platforms, that syncing process can introduce issues like double bookings, missed reservations, potentially even payment failures.

Instead, invest in software that does everything you need it to do in one place – and can scale at the same rate as your ambitions.

What is the best Airbnb management software for small hotels?

We may possess bias, but the answer is Little Hotelier. Little Hotelier is designed specifically for small accommodation providers such as hotels, motels, hostels, guesthouses, you name it; and includes heaps of features that help you meet the challenges of hosting your rooms on Airbnb.

By using Little Hotelier, businesses can enhance their guest experience and revenue, with potential increases of up to 46% in bookings and an ROI of 63x!

  • Easy listing management. With representation on over 450 OTAs, including Airbnb, we make it easy for you to provide your listings across multiple channels for maximum reach and zero double bookings.
  • Wow your guests. Use our dedicated and automated guest communication feature to keep in touch with guests before, during, and after their stay, ensuring everyone experiences the personal touch and comes back for more.
  • Stay competitive with pricing. Keep one step ahead of the competition with our competitor insights. Get up-to-date pricing notifications and adjust your rates accordingly to grow your Airbnb bookings and your revenue.

By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).