How to Get More Customers as a Airbnb Host in Perth

Introduction

Most Airbnb hosts in Perth still rely on the platform's algorithm and word of mouth to fill their calendars. That approach worked five years ago when competition was thin. Today, Perth's short-term rental market has exploded. There are over 7,000 active Airbnb listings across the metro area, and guests have more choice than ever.

Here's the reality: 97% of travellers research accommodation online before booking. They compare listings, read reviews, check Google Maps, browse host websites, and increasingly ask AI assistants like ChatGPT for recommendations. If your property doesn't show up across these channels, you're invisible to the majority of potential guests.

The good news? Most of your competitors aren't doing any of this strategically. They upload a few photos, write a mediocre description, and hope for the best. That gap is your opportunity.

This guide walks you through exactly how to get more customers as an Airbnb host in Perth — step by step, channel by channel. Whether you manage one property or twenty, these tactics will increase your visibility, boost your booking rate, and grow your nightly revenue. The average Airbnb booking in Perth ranges from $150 to $400 per night, so even a handful of extra bookings each month adds up to serious income.

Let's get into it.

TL;DR

Step-by-step guide to getting more customers as an Airbnb host in Perth
Covers Google Maps, reviews, direct booking websites, content marketing, and AI search optimisation
Average Airbnb host job value: $150–$400 per night
Most hosts ignore channels outside the Airbnb platform — that's where your competitive edge lives
Practical, actionable steps you can start implementing today

Step 1: Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

This is the single most underused tool in any Airbnb host's marketing toolkit. Google Business Profile (GBP) is free, and it drives more direct enquiries than almost any other channel for local accommodation providers.

When someone searches "Airbnb Perth CBD" or "short-term rental Fremantle," Google displays a map pack — those three local listings with reviews, photos, and contact details that appear above the organic search results. If you're not in that map pack, you're losing bookings to hosts who are.

Here's how to set it up properly:

First, go to business.google.com and claim your listing. Choose "Holiday rental" or "Serviced apartment" as your business category. Add your exact property address (or service area if you manage multiple properties). Fill in every single field — business hours, phone number, website URL, attributes, and a detailed business description.

Your business description should include natural mentions of your location. Something like: "Professionally managed short-term rental accommodation in Perth's northern suburbs, including Scarborough, Joondalup, and Hillarys." This helps Google connect your listing to local search queries.

Upload at least 20 high-quality photos. Properties with more than 15 photos receive 520% more calls than those with fewer than five, according to Google's own data. Include exterior shots, every room, the kitchen, bathroom, any outdoor entertaining areas, and neighbourhood highlights like nearby beaches or cafés.

Post weekly updates to your GBP. Share seasonal promotions, local event guides (think Perth Fringe Festival, AFL season), or property upgrades. Google rewards active profiles with better visibility.

Finally, make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across every platform — your website, Airbnb profile, Booking.com, and any directories you're listed on. Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt your rankings.

For a deeper dive, check out our complete guide to local SEO for Airbnb hosts in Perth.

Step 2: Get Your Website Ranking for Local Keywords

Relying solely on Airbnb's platform means you're paying 3–15% in service fees on every booking and competing with thousands of other listings in their search results. A direct booking website changes that equation entirely.

Your website should target the exact phrases potential guests type into Google. The primary keyword — "Airbnb host in Perth" — is your starting point, but the real gold is in suburb-specific and intent-specific pages.

Build dedicated pages for each location you serve. If you have a property in Cottesloe, create a page titled "Short-Term Rental in Cottesloe, Perth" with 500–800 words covering the property, the neighbourhood, nearby attractions, transport links, and booking details. Do the same for every suburb — Subiaco, South Perth, Northbridge, Scarborough, and so on.

Target service-specific keywords too. Pages like "Pet-Friendly Airbnb in Perth," "Corporate Short-Stay Accommodation Perth," or "Family Holiday Rental Perth" capture guests with specific needs who are ready to book.

Your website's technical foundations matter just as much as the content. Page speed should be under three seconds. The site must be mobile-responsive — over 60% of accommodation searches happen on phones. Every page needs a clear call to action: "Check Availability," "Book Direct and Save," or "Contact Us."

Install proper schema markup (LocalBusiness and LodgingBusiness structured data) so search engines understand exactly what your business offers and where it operates.

We've helped dozens of Perth accommodation providers build websites that rank on page one. Read more about our approach in our SEO for Airbnb hosts in Perth guide.

Step 3: Build a Review Generation System

Reviews are the currency of trust in the short-term rental industry. Properties with more than 50 reviews and a rating above 4.7 stars consistently outperform competitors in both Airbnb search results and Google rankings.

The problem isn't that guests don't want to leave reviews. It's that most hosts never ask — or they ask at the wrong time, in the wrong way.

When to ask: The sweet spot is 2–24 hours after checkout. The guest has had time to reflect on their stay but hasn't moved on mentally. Send a personalised message — not a generic template that feels automated.

How to ask: Keep it short and specific. Here's a template that works:

"Hi [Name], it was great hosting you at [Property Name]. If you enjoyed your stay, we'd really appreciate a quick review — it helps other travellers find us and helps us keep improving. Here's the direct link: [Google Review Link]. Thanks again, and we hope to host you next time you're in Perth!"

Where to direct reviews: Alternate between Google and Airbnb. Google reviews boost your Business Profile ranking. Airbnb reviews improve your platform visibility. Both matter.

Systematise the process. Use a simple CRM or even a spreadsheet to track which guests have been asked and which have responded. Tools like Guest Ranger or Hospitable can automate follow-up messages, but personal touches always convert better.

Respond to every single review — positive and negative. A thoughtful response to a three-star review demonstrates professionalism and often convinces future guests that you take feedback seriously. Never get defensive. Acknowledge the issue, explain what you've done to fix it, and move on.

Step 4: Create Content That Attracts Customers

Content marketing isn't just for tech companies and lifestyle brands. For Airbnb hosts in Perth, strategic content creation builds authority, drives organic traffic, and converts browsers into bookers.

Start with local guides. Write blog posts like "The Ultimate Guide to Perth's Best Beaches for Families," "Where to Eat in Fremantle: A Local's Guide," or "Perth Events Calendar 2026: What's On and When to Visit." These posts rank for high-intent travel queries and position your property as the obvious accommodation choice.

Create FAQ content that answers real guest questions. Think about what people ask before booking: "Is Perth safe for solo travellers?" "What's the best suburb to stay in Perth?" "How do I get from Perth Airport to Scarborough?" Each question is a potential blog post and a potential Google featured snippet.

Develop comparison content. Posts like "Airbnb vs Hotel in Perth: Which Is Better Value?" directly target people in the decision-making phase. You're not hard-selling — you're educating. And educated guests book with confidence.

Publish consistently. One post per week is enough to build momentum. Each post should be 800–1,500 words, include relevant internal links to your property pages, and feature a clear call to action.

Video content works exceptionally well for accommodation. A 60-second property walkthrough on YouTube, embedded on your website and shared on social media, can dramatically increase engagement. YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine — don't ignore it.

Ready to stop leaving bookings on the table? Talk to our team at MoneyNearMe about a content strategy built specifically for Perth Airbnb hosts.

Step 5: Optimise for AI Search (GEO)

Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is no longer optional. When a potential guest asks ChatGPT, "What's the best Airbnb in Perth near the beach?" or asks Perplexity, "Where should I stay in Perth for a weekend?", the AI pulls from indexed web content to generate its answer.

If your website, reviews, and content don't exist in a format AI can parse and reference, you won't be recommended. It's that straightforward.

How to optimise for AI search:

Structure your content with clear headings, bullet points, and direct answers to common questions. AI models favour well-organised, factual content that directly addresses a query.

Build citations across authoritative sources. Get your property mentioned on local tourism websites, Perth travel blogs, accommodation directories, and news outlets. The more credible sources reference your business, the more likely AI tools are to recommend you.

Ensure your website has comprehensive, up-to-date structured data. Schema markup helps AI models understand your business type, location, pricing, amenities, and availability.

We cover this in detail in our GEO for Airbnb hosts in Perth guide — it's worth reading if you want to stay ahead of where search is heading.

Step 6: Track Your Results

Marketing without measurement is just guessing. You need clear metrics tied to actual revenue.

Track these numbers monthly:

Google Business Profile insights: calls, direction requests, website clicks, and search queries that triggered your listing.
Website analytics: total visitors, traffic by source (organic, direct, referral), and which pages drive the most engagement. Google Analytics 4 is free and sufficient.
Booking enquiries and conversions: how many website visitors submit a booking request or contact form? What's your conversion rate?
Keyword rankings: track your position for target phrases like "Airbnb host in Perth," "short-term rental Scarborough," and "holiday accommodation Perth CBD."
Review velocity: how many new reviews are you generating per month across Google and Airbnb?

Set up goal tracking in GA4 so you can attribute bookings to specific marketing channels. If you know that organic search drives 40% of your direct bookings, you can invest more confidently in SEO.

Review your data monthly. Look for patterns — seasonal trends, high-performing content, underperforming pages that need updating. Marketing is iterative. The hosts who consistently review and adjust their strategy are the ones who dominate their market.

When to Hire a Professional

Everything in this guide is doable yourself. But doing it well, consistently, while managing properties, guest communications, cleaning schedules, and maintenance — that's where most hosts hit a wall.

DIY works if you have one property and spare time. If you're managing multiple listings or treating this as a serious business, the maths favours professional help. A single extra booking per week at $250 per night is $13,000 in additional annual revenue. The return on a structured marketing investment pays for itself quickly.

At MoneyNearMe, we work specifically with local service businesses and accommodation providers across Perth. Our packages range from $500 to $2,000 per month, covering Google Business Profile management, local SEO, content creation, review generation systems, and GEO optimisation.

We don't do cookie-cutter strategies. We build campaigns based on your specific properties, suburbs, and guest demographics. Get in touch with us today to find out exactly how many bookings you're leaving on the table — and how to capture them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Airbnb hosts get more customers online? Optimise your Google Business Profile, build a direct booking website targeting local keywords, generate consistent reviews, and create content that ranks for travel-related searches in Perth.

What's the fastest way to get more calls as an Airbnb host? Claim and fully optimise your Google Business Profile. Most hosts see increased enquiries within 30 days of proper setup and consistent posting.

How much should I spend on marketing as an Airbnb host? Allocate 5–10% of gross revenue. For most Perth hosts, that means $500–$2,000 per month, covering SEO, content, and review management.

Is Google Ads or SEO better for Airbnb hosts? SEO delivers better long-term ROI. Google Ads works for immediate visibility during peak seasons. The strongest strategy combines both.