How to Avoid Listing Site Dependence

Avoid listing site dependence! That’s the clear lesson for independent vacation rental owners from a recent case where several major sites deleted one owner’s entire listings at a stroke.

Our recent blog warning of the dangers of listing site dependence had only just been uploaded when we heard of another case that underscores the need to reduce owner reliance on listing sites. Not long ago, an independent owner had his listings summarily deleted, leaving him high and dry. The unfortunate owner was informed by TripAdvisor and by three other listing sites under the TripAdvisor umbrella (Flipkey, Holiday Lettings and Vacation Home Rentals) that they had deleted ALL of his listings.

Sites were protecting their customers

The reason? His account had been ‘hacked’ for a second time and the sites felt they had to remove him to protect their customers. Apparently, in line with their terms and conditions, TripAdvisor reserve the right to terminate an advert for any reason – if they deem it unsafe to keep it live. As the owner had been with FlipKey, Holiday Lettings and Vacation Home Rentals for years rather than months, you might imagine they owed him a little more loyalty. Not so.

This owner was no lame duck

Nor was he a lame duck they needed to be rid of. Apparently, his properties drew many five star ratings from guests and in terms of favourable reviews he beat thousands of other properties. If this kind of thing can happen without warning to a successful owner such as this, it can happen to anyone. At Homes and Rooms, we always advise owners to spread the marketing mix by using more than one listing site and using as many channels as are available. Even though he was using four listing sites and running a successful business, this owner was not immune to the fallout from listing site dependence.

Say goodbye to listing site dependence

Fortunately, as Homes and Rooms frequently reminds readers of our blog, there are ways to co-exist with and enjoy the benefits offered by these sites without falling into the trap of listing site dependence. The starting point is having your own website and the ability to take secure online payments to your own account. Both of these facilities are provided to Homes and Rooms subscribers as the basics of membership. Many other features are also included to help ensure that you have the capability to remain independent of the listing sites, among them your own online reservations calendar. Take the first steps to reducing your listing site dependence and enjoying the benefits of real independence today. Steps which will also help you keep more of the income from your property while saving your time in handling routine management tasks. Find out more about the Homes and Rooms free trial period now. You could be up and running with your own live website in a matter of minutes. New to the business of owning a vacation rental or lacking information about listing sites? Find out more about them and what they provide on our earlier blogs. Try these: 

• What Can Listing Sites Offer the Independent Vacation Rental Owner?
• A Who’s Who of the Vacation Rental Listing Sites
• Who Calls the Shots When You Sign Up With Listing Sites? 
• Listing Sites – How to Choose and Stay Independent.