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Where to list your short-term rental (and why a PMS like Hostfully supercharges it)

  • james73515
  • Aug 20
  • 3 min read

Hosts ask us all the time: where should we list our short-term rentals and which platforms actually move the needle – and how do I get on all of them without losing my mind? 


On Host Planet Bitesize, Joseph Cox, Director of Business Development at Hostfully, broke it down: focus on the “big four” channels, add niche/premium sites where they fit your brand, and use a property management system (PMS) to push, sync, and safeguard your operations. He also explains how to get onto Google Vacation Rentals so more guests book direct (goodbye extra fees).


Below is your practical, friendly guide to multi-channel distribution – straight from Joseph’s playbook – plus how Hostfully’s PMS and digital guidebooks help you scale with fewer headaches.


The big four platforms (start here when you list your short-term rentals)


  • Airbnb – Massive traffic and intuitive UX; great for unique stays. A love/hate for some hosts, but still essential.

  • Booking.com – Giant in Europe with deep demand; originally hotel-centric but now strong for STRs.

  • Vrbo – Heavier U.S. footprint; list here if you want more American guests.

  • Google Vacation Rentals (GVR) – The sleeper hit. When guests search on Google Search/Maps/Travel, they can click 'book now' and land on your direct site – so you keep more margin.


Add niche and premium sites (when they fit)


  • High-end portfolios: consider Homes & Villas by Marriott and other curated/luxury networks to signal quality and reach higher-value travellers.

  • Alternative experiences (glamping/campervans/cabins): leverage specialist platforms aligned with your product type.

  • UK listing directories for direct leads: Simply Owners and GroupAccommodation.com use annual fees rather than commission, helping you nudge guests to book direct.


How to appear on Google Vacation Rentals (via your PMS)


You can’t upload to GVR manually – you must connect through a PMS like Hostfully:


  1. Set up/verify your Hostfully account.

  2. Import listings (Hostfully can ingest from Airbnb to speed onboarding).

  3. Push those listings to Google from within the PMS channel manager.

  4. Ensure your direct booking site is connected so the book now button routes to you (not an OTA). Result: visibility on Google Search/Maps/Travel with guests clicking straight to your checkout.


Why a PMS like Hostfully beats manual multi-listing


A PMS unifies your channels so you’re not copy-pasting descriptions, prices, and rules 10 times:


  • One hub to push content, pricing rules, fees, photos, and policies to every channel.

  • Instant sync to avoid double bookings and delays.

  • Import tools so setup takes minutes, not weeks.

  • Beyond channels: analytics, reports, messaging, statements, owner portal, and turnover/cleaning management in one login.


Build a direct-booking moat


Relying only on OTAs is risky. With a direct site (Hostfully can provide one):


  • You have a safety net if an OTA policy change, outage, or unfair review hits your listing. It's not unheard of for listings to be removed by platforms like Airbnb.

  • You capture guest data (email/phone) for lifecycle marketing and repeat stays.

  • Guests often see your lowest price on Google and convert directly – fewer fees on both sides.


Don’t single-channel – here’s why


If you’re only on one platform, a blocked account, bug, or market wobble can stall revenue. Diversify across the big four, keep your direct engine healthy, and let the PMS keep it all in sync.


About Hostfully (and the Host Planet Bitesize special offer)


Hostfully has operated for almost a decade and is used in 90+ countries. It is built to increase bookings and automate workflows for time-poor managers. Their digital guidebooks (with media embeds and AI features) cut down guest questions and elevate experience.


Host Planet readers can claim these special offers:


  • Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

  • Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.



Quick checklist


  • List on Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Google Vacation Rentals.

  • Add niche/premium sites that match your product.

  • Use a PMS like Hostfully to push/sync everything.

  • Launch/optimise your direct site for a safety net and better margins.

  • Track channel mix and keep testing what converts in your markets.

 
 
 

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