The concept of renting out space through Airbnb is relatively straightforward, but setting yourself up for success requires a little more work.
We don’t think that creating an Airbnb business needs to be daunting, and we’re here to help. We’ve supported over 1,000,000 people to form a business and provided answers, guidance and support to transform them into entrepreneurs. We’ll guide you through what you need to know to start your Airbnb venture and get it off the ground.
From validating your business and doing the research to filing your paperwork and running your business, this guide will help you out. Read on for some insight into creating your own Airbnb business and becoming an entrepreneur. In this guide we will cover:
Statistics on why you should start an Airbnb business
Choose the right business structure for your Airbnb company
How to find out if an Airbnb business is right for you
Setting up your Airbnb business including location, equipment, employees, taxes, finances, licenses and more
Ideas for the type of Airbnb business that you could form
Where to find Airbnb business groups, forums and support
Proving your Airbnb business can work
Useful online tools for Airbnb business owners
Business plans for Airbnb companies
Airbnb has made it easier than ever for people to become hosts—people that rent out property for others to stay at. Airbnb is a ready-made marketplace for guests, with millions of listings around the world. Here are some statistics on the power of the Airbnb industry:
There are over 150 million users on Airbnb
The largest market for Airbnb is in the US, with an economic impact of $34 billion
There have been more than 500 million stays through Airbnb
This is why Airbnb businesses are so exciting — how can you be a part of that success? We're here to help you figure that out.
Want to start an Airbnb business? Incorporate with us, today.
Before deciding to start an Airbnb business, it’s important to understand the skills and approach you’re likely to need.
Here are some of the typical tasks you’ll be performing for your Airbnb business on a daily basis.
Answering questions from guests and providing useful information
Arranging for cleaning and other routine tasks at your properties
Taking care of repairs and maintenance
Ensuring that bookings are up-to-date
Getting information and photos to create compelling Airbnb listings
Uploading and managing listings on the Airbnb platform
Minimizing cancellations of planned visits
Setting prices for guests to stay in your property
Responding to reviews from guests
The following skills will be very useful in your role as an Airbnb small business owner.
Airbnb customers, commonly known as guests, are looking for:
When it comes to starting an Airbnb business, you want to make sure that your property and listings are unique, so you can attract customers. You can do this by highlighting certain aspects in your listings:
Get a professional to photograph your property, so it’s portrayed in the best way
Invest in making your property look good, with a fresh coat of paint, new furniture and a deep clean
Highlight anything unique about the property, like original features or unusual facilities
Show how close you are to public transport, local points of interest and restaurants
Maintain a listing that gets good reviews from guests and builds trust
Getting started in an Airbnb business is easy, but becoming a success is harder. Before committing too much time, energy and money into your new Airbnb business, it’s important to test the marketplace.
We’ve covered some key points on how to differentiate your listings above, but it’s important to reiterate: If you want your Airbnb business to be a success, you do need to stand out.
Having competitors is a good thing as it shows there’s a market, but you want to avoid too much competition. Look at how many other hosts are providing accommodation close to your location, and see how they position their listings and prices.
You might want to target your listings to a particular type of guest, so if you know there’s a market, make sure your accommodation reflects what might be of value to them. For example, younger people might want vibrant nightlife and a very modern place to stay, while older people could want more peace and quiet, with natural outside space.
One of the great things about Airbnb business is that there are plenty of great communities and discussion groups. Get involved in them and learn the ins and outs of your chosen market before committing.
You might not think you need a business plan for your Airbnb business—after all, if you’re getting guests through Airbnb, and they’re paying, you don’t need a business plan, right? Wrong.
You need to define how you’re going to run your Airbnb business, market your property, get sales, make a profit and grow. This can only come about through creating a watertight business plan. It will help you get your thinking in order and show your commitment to your Airbnb business.
You will also need to look at financial projections for your Airbnb business. What are your expected booking revenues? How much is it costing you to buy and maintain the property? What is your profitability? How much money will you keep in the business to grow it? How much will you pay yourself and others?
Business plans do vary slightly, but they should all cover the following areas:
An executive summary with the most important points from your business plan
Your goals and what you hope to achieve with your Airbnb business
A description of your business, background information and context
A market analysis and likely demand
An overview of how your business is structured
Your business model
How you will market and sell your offerings
Financial projections, revenue and profitability
Appendices
We’ve got the perfect guide to writing your business plan.
Now that you have all the background information for your Airbnb business, it’s time to make it into a reality. That starts by choosing the right structure or “legal entity” for your business. In the US, there are five main business structures. They are:
This is the "default" business structure and is what your Airbnb business will be if you decide not to create a more formal structure. We don't recommend this type of business as it doesn't give you the legal protections you need.
This is a type of business that is formed when two or more people work together without creating a more formal business entity. Like a sole proprietorship, it may not give you all the protections your Airbnb business may need.
The Limited Liability Company (LLC) is ideal for most Airbnb businesses. An LLC is easy and inexpensive to setup, and has the least administrative requirements of any formal business entity.
This is a more complex type of business and isn't generally recommended for smaller organizations, like an Airbnb business.
These are the largest and most complex types of businesses and are typically far more than the average entrepreneur or Airbnb business owner will need.
For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of businesses, please see our in-depth guide. If you’ve still got questions, we’ve answered them to help you choose the right business structure for your Airbnb business.
In most cases, our recommendation for your daycare business would be to create an LLC. We’ve got a complete guide to everything you need to do. LLC formation does vary from state to state, but we’ve got you covered, wherever you are.
Once you've legally created your Airbnb business you’ll need to get some other things in place.
You will need a separate business bank account for your Airbnb business. You might also want to consider a business credit card. Additionally, you will also need to keep careful bookkeeping records and file business and personal taxes. Here at Incfile we can even help you file your taxes.
You can almost certainly administer your Airbnb business from home. This is great as it reduces your office costs considerably. Don't forget that if you work from home, you can write off part of your utility and housing costs against your taxes.
It’s likely that the only equipment you will need to run your Airbnb business is a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Of course, you’ll also need to have supplies on hand for your properties.
You probably don’t need to hire any employees to help run your Airbnb business, but you’ll likely want to contract with cleaners, maintenance crews or a handyman.
The right software and processes will make running your Airbnb business much easier. See our list of the best apps and software at the end of this guide.
A Clear and Comprehensive Guide to Starting Your Business the Right Way
Even though you’re running an Airbnb business, you can’t escape real-world licenses, permits and regulations. You will need to explore local, state and federal licenses and permits, and we can also help out with researching your business licensing needs.
It’s also very important to consider local zoning laws, ordinances and permits. Some municipalities don’t allow just anyone to set themselves up as an Airbnb host, and if you do, you could be fined. Check with your local and regional authorities what their requirements are for Airbnb hosts.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links.
Taxes are a fact of life if you’re in business, and there are various ways you will need to file and pay them. This can include self-employment tax, state income tax and federal income tax. Depending on where and how you’re selling products and services, you may also be liable for sales and use tax.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend keeping back around a third of your earnings to pay your taxes. We can even prepare and file your tax returns for you
There are certain forms and legalities you need to follow to keep your Airbnb business in good standing.
Most states require all businesses to file a report once a year. This report has details of any major changes to who owns a business and other major impacts on a business’s legal status. We can file your Annual Report on your behalf.
Annual ReportYou will be expected to pay estimated taxes on what you plan to earn in the current business year. Typically, you will need to pay estimated taxes in April, June, September and January (of the following year).
Your business will probably have several licenses, permits and other regulations. These typically need to be renewed every year.
You will need to file your taxes once a year.
If applicable, you will need to make payroll and sales tax payments on a regular basis.
Most Airbnb businesses should have comprehensive business insurance. There are various types.
Most Airbnb businesses should have comprehensive business insurance. There are various types.
Workers’ compensation insurance provides coverage for job-related illnesses, disabilities or injuries that affect employees. Regulations for this insurance vary from state to state. It typically covers areas like medical costs, loss of earnings, compensation and retraining.
This insurance protects your Airbnb business from claims due to being sued. This may include injury to members of the public, property damage, personal liabilities, legal defense and more. It can help protect your business from financial penalties and bankruptcy. This type of insurance is essential to your Airbnb business as you will be having people living in your properties.
If you are working from home, for example on the administration of your Airbnb business or driving a vehicle for work, check whether your existing home and auto policies cover you for work use of your home or car. If not, you should either expand your policy so you’re covered or get dedicated business insurance.
Here are some useful places where you can connect with other Airbnb entrepreneurs.
The right software and apps will make it much easier to run your Airbnb business. Here are our recommendations for some of the best tools out there to make business operations a breeze.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links.
If you have an extra room, or a whole property you want to rent out, Airbnb makes it easy. If you can create great listings, build positive reviews, understand your competitors and put together a solid business plan, you will have every chance for success
Start your Airbnb Business with us, today!