When it comes to vacation rentals, pictures are worth a thousand words. But what if you could take your guests on a virtual tour of your property? A virtual tour can give travelers a more realistic idea of what to expect when staying at your rental and convince them to book your listing. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of creating an Airbnb virtual tour and how to go about creating one for your listing.

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What is an Airbnb Virtual Tour?

An Airbnb virtual tour is an online 360-degree tour of your property that potential guests can explore from the comfort of their own homes. Short-term rental tours give travelers a realistic idea of what your rental looks like and help them get a better sense of the layout and amenities.

What are the Benefits of Creating an Airbnb Virtual Tour?

There are several benefits of creating an Airbnb virtual tour, including:

Allowing guests to explore your property before booking

An Airbnb virtual tour allows potential guests to explore your property before booking. This is beneficial because it gives them a realistic idea of what to expect when they arrive. It also allows them to see the property’s layout and gives hosts the opportunity to show off unique features.

Showcasing your rental in a unique and immersive way

An Airbnb virtual tour can help your listing stand out from the crowd. Virtual tours are still uncommon on listings, and providing one can help you attract more attention.

Convincing potential guests to book your listing

At the end of the day, the goal of an Airbnb virtual tour is to convince potential guests to book your listing. By providing a realistic and immersive view of your rental, you can increase travelers’ chances of choosing your listing over other options.

Steps to Create an Effective Airbnb Virtual Tour

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of creating a virtual tour, let’s take a look at how you can create one for your listing. We suggest hiring a third-party creator to capture and create your virtual tour professionally. However, if you’d like to give it a go yourself, follow these steps:

1. Choose the right camera

The first step to creating a virtual tour is to choose the right camera. You’ll want to select a camera that can capture high-quality 360-degree photos and videos. There are a few different options to choose from, including:

• 360-degree cameras: These cameras are designed specifically for capturing 360-degree photos and videos. They typically have two lenses that allow them to capture a full spherical view.
• DSLR cameras: Many DSLR cameras have features that allow them to capture 360-degree photos and videos. If you’re using a DSLR camera, look for one that has a panorama mode.
• Smartphone cameras: Many newer smartphones have 360-degree camera features built-in. If you’re using your smartphone to capture photos and videos for your Airbnb virtual tour, make sure to check that your phone has this feature before getting started.

2. Capture high-quality photos and videos

Once you’ve chosen the right camera, it’s time to start capturing photos of your property. When taking photos and videos for your Airbnb virtual tour, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Capture a variety of shots: Be sure to capture a variety of shots of your rental, including the exterior, interior, and any standout features. This will give potential guests a well-rounded view of your property. Be sure to stage each room to put your property’s best foot forward.
• Use a tripod: A tripod helps you capture steadier shots, which is especially important when taking 360-degree photos and videos.
• Edit your photos and videos: Once you’ve captured all the photos and videos you need, take some time to edit them. This will help ensure that they’re high quality and look their best.

3. Upload images to a software program

There are a few easy-to-use software programs on the market, like iStaging and Tourwizard. You simply download the program, upload your photos and 360-degree images into the system, and create a digital tour.

4. Add the virtual tour to your listing

Now that you have completed your virtual tour, it’s time to upload it to your listing! If you hire a company to create the tour for you, they will most likely provide you with a link or QR code that you can add.

All you have to do is copy and paste the link into the appropriate section or add the QR code image to your listing photos. If you’ve created a tour yourself, you can also create a QR code or link to add on your chosen platform or embed it into your direct booking site.

5. Promote your Airbnb virtual tour

After you’ve added your virtual tour to your listing, take some time to promote it. You can promote your tour by:

• Adding a link to it in your property description: Be sure to add a link to your virtual tour in your listing description. This will make it easy for potential guests to find and view your tour.

• Sharing it on social media: Share your Airbnb virtual tour on your social media channels. This is a great way to attract more attention to your listing.

• Sending it to potential guests: If you have potential guests who are on the fence about booking your listing, send them a link to your virtual tour. This can help convince them to book your rental.

Final Thoughts

Creating an Airbnb virtual tour is a great way to market your vacation rental and attract more travelers. By providing potential guests with a realistic and immersive view of your property, you can increase their chances of choosing your listing over other options. Use the tips in this blog post to create an effective Airbnb virtual tour and see an increase in your bookings!

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!