In the ever-evolving world of vacation rentals and short-term property management, visibility equals profitability. With Booking.com ranking among the top platforms for holiday bookings, securing a prominent placement can significantly impact your occupancy and revenue. At Runnr, we empower hosts and property managers with the tools and insights to outperform the competition. Here are ten strategies—both strategic and practical—to help your property climb the Booking.com rankings and attract more guests.
The listing description is your digital storefront. Instead of a dry list of features, tell a story. Highlight the guest experience: is your apartment a cozy urban escape or a tranquil coastal retreat? Focus on:
Unique selling points (e.g., rooftop terrace, pet-friendly garden, smart-home amenities)
Neighborhood highlights (e.g., walkability, proximity to local landmarks)
Guest benefits (e.g., fast WiFi for remote workers, crib available for families)
Use warm, engaging language that reflects your property's personality. Keep it concise, but informative.
Transparency builds trust and improves your conversion rate. Fill out all fields in your Booking.com extranet:
List every amenity accurately
Clarify house rules
Set realistic check-in and check-out times
Indicate if there's parking, lift access, or self-check-in options
Properties with complete profiles are favored by Booking.com’s algorithm and guests alike.
Images are your most persuasive sales tool. Listings with 20+ high-resolution, well-lit photos receive more clicks and bookings. Prioritize:
Wide-angle shots of bedrooms and living areas
Exterior photos and views (especially if scenic)
Lifestyle photos that show context (e.g., breakfast on the balcony)
Cleanliness and tidiness
A professional shoot pays for itself by increasing your conversion rate.
Booking.com tracks your average response time. A slow or missed response could cost you a booking and affect your ranking.
Use automation through Runnr to:
Send instant replies to common questions
Confirm bookings quickly
Share check-in details in advance
Timely communication also improves guest satisfaction, which leads to better reviews.
Properties with outdated availability are penalized by Booking.com’s algorithm. Synchronize your calendar through Runnr and Rentals United to:
Prevent double bookings
Open dates further in advance
Reflect real-time pricing and availability
Being proactive here ensures more visibility and higher booking potential.
Dynamic pricing is no longer optional. Analyze your competition and adjust your nightly rate based on demand, seasonality, and local events. With Runnr, you can:
Set automated pricing rules
Offer last-minute deals or early-bird discounts
Test weekend vs weekday rates
Competitive pricing doesn’t mean being the cheapest—it means offering great value for your niche.
More guests now seek flexibility. Rigid cancellation policies or minimum stays can deter bookings. Consider:
1-night stays during off-peak periods
Free cancellation up to a few days before check-in
Relaxed check-in/check-out windows
This boosts conversion and your property’s Booking.com ranking.
Unlock greater visibility and trust signals:
Genius Program: Offers perks to loyal Booking.com users, leading to increased bookings
Preferred Partner Program: Grants you higher visibility in search results
Both come with certain requirements (e.g., review score, response rate), but the ROI is often worth it.
This pay-per-click feature lets you temporarily increase your visibility. Use it during:
Low season to increase bookings
Last-minute availabilities
Special holidays or local events
Combine this with Runnr’s analytics to determine the best moments to invest.
Runnr’s integration with Rentals United empowers hosts to manage listings effortlessly across multiple OTAs. Benefits include:
Unified calendar and price sync
Automatic message flows
Access to market insights and competitive benchmarks
By centralizing your operations, you free up time for what matters most: creating memorable guest experiences and growing your business.
Improving your Booking.com ranking isn’t about gaming the algorithm—it’s about delivering consistent value to guests and optimizing how your property is presented. With Runnr at your side, you have the tools to act strategically, save time, and outperform competitors.
Ready to turn your property into a top performer? Let’s make it happen with Runnr.ai.