Struggling to get travelers to your vacation rental business?
Relax, most visitors haven’t discovered your wonderful resorts, remote cottages, or beachfront villas yet. It’s an ideal time to create a vacation rental website to introduce your properties and simplify booking.
Online vacation rental bookings are booming, expected to grow by 4.4% yearly until 2030. Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com (which was a top online travel company in late 2022) have made booking easy, especially after the pandemic. Millennials, being tech-savvy and seeking unique trips, make up 40% of these online leisure bookings.
That’s a huge opportunity! With a simple site, you can bring in more visitors, boost bookings, and make your rentals shine.
You’re on the right page to learn how to create a vacation rental website with a WordPress plugin. In this post, we’ll take you by the hand and show you how to create a professional booking system using WpRently, the number one vacation rental plugin on the market. We’ll also provide you with must-have features to look for in a plugin and cover the most asked questions about starting and running a vacation rental company. Let’s get started!
What is a Vacation Rental?
A vacation rental is a fully stocked property—house, condo, villa, or apartment—rented to visitors for a brief duration, typically one night to several weeks. Vacation rentals are not hotels, but a home environment with the amenities of kitchens, living rooms, and other special touches (private pool or mountain views). They’re perfect for families, groups, or anyone who desires a personalized travel experience.
What is a WordPress Vacation Rental Plugin?
A WordPress Vacation Rental Plugin is a plugin that transforms your WordPress website into a full-fledged booking website. It allows you to display property photos, description, and amenities (such as Wi-Fi, hot tub, or pet-friendly). Guests can view availability, book, and pay securely online. You can manage bookings, track property availability, and automate guest communication—all within your WordPress control panel.
What to Look for in a Vacation Rental Plugin?
To create a vacation rental website that makes bookings, choose a plugin with the following essential features:
Booking System:
Simple system where visitors can select check-in/check-out dates, property types, and add-ons like guided tours or cleaning.
Availability Calendar:
Simple calendar showing booked dates, available properties, and blackout dates to prevent overbooking.
Flexible Pricing Options
Support for nightly, weekly, or monthly rates, and seasonal or special event pricing tiers.
Property Details:
Quality display of images, descriptive information, and amenities per property.
Customizable Booking Forms:
Input form to collect specific guest information, such as group size or special requests.
Payment Integration:
Clean integration of smooth payment gateways, such as PayPal or Stripe, for secure transactions.
Notifications and Reminders:
Automated email confirmations of bookings, reminders, and check-in details.
Solid data security to safeguard the guests’ data and prevent unauthorized access.
WpRently, the vacation rental plugin driven by WooCommerce, ticks all these boxes and offers a speedy, light, and simple solution.
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How to Create a Vacation Rental Website with WpRently
Below is the step-by-step process of how to create a vacation rental website with WpRently:
Install WpRently
Go to your WordPress dashboard, Plugins > Add New Plugin, and search for “resort.” Find WpRently in the top results, click Install Now, then Activate.
Setup Wizard
The setup wizard will guide you through initial setups. Configure labels, slugs, and payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe). Finish the wizard to proceed.
Manage Rental Listings
From the dashboard, go to Rent Item > All Items. WpRently has pre-existing listings, which include:
Single-night rental (Classic or Muffin Template)
Multi-night rental (Muffin Template)
Adjust these to fit your properties.
Adjust a Listing
For example, adjust a single-night rental with the Classic Template:
Alter the title and description (e.g., “Seaside Cottage with Ocean Views”).
Assign a category (e.g., “Beachfront” or “Mountain Retreat”) under General Settings.
Add features like “Private Deck” or “Fireplace” through Add New Feature Category.
Add prices (i.e., nightly rates) in the Pricing tab with availability and quantity.
Add check-in/check-out times in the Date & Time tab and cross off days in Off Days.
Add taxes through the Tax tab through WooCommerce.
Add extras (e.g., bike rental or breakfast inclusions) with images and text.
Add pretty property photos in the Gallery tab.
Display similar rentals (i.e., homes in the area) via dropdown.
Include FAQs (e.g., “Are pets allowed?”) using the Add New FAQ button.
Set a security deposit (percentage or dollars) within the Security Deposit tab to protect your home.
Insert a featured image and save.
Front-End Experience
The Classic Template features a simple booking form. The visitor selects dates, times, and extras, and then views price breakdown. They click Book Now, proceed to the WooCommerce cart, enter data, and book. Automated email confirmation is sent.
Manage Bookings
Process bookings from the Order List or Inventory List in your dashboard.
How to Increase Vacation Rental Bookings with Your Website
To increase vacation rental bookings, optimize your website using these strategies:
High-Quality Visuals: Use professional photos and virtual tours to showcase your property’s unique selling points.
Clear Calls-to-Action: Place prominent “Book Now” buttons and promote special offers.
SEO Optimization: Use keywords like “vacation rental in [location]” or “beachfront villa” to rank better on search engines.
Guest Reviews: Display testimonials to establish credibility.
Mobile-Friendly Design: Make sure your site is usable on smartphones since many travelers book on the move.
Social Media Integration: Include links to share listings on sites like Instagram or Airbnb to increase visibility.
WpRently’s template customization and WooCommerce integration make it simple to incorporate these features, setting your property apart and generating more bookings.
If you want to start a car rental business along with your vacation rental, you can check how to create a car rental website.
FAQ: Starting and Running a Vacation Rental Business
Here are a few responses to common questions about starting and operating a vacation rental business:
How to Convert Your Home into a Vacation Rental?
Turn your home into a guest-friendly home: supply it with the essentials (beds, linens, kitchenware), add inviting amenities (Wi-Fi, smart TVs), and comply with local regulations (e.g., permits or safety measures). List your property on your site and platforms such as Airbnb or Vrbo.
Do market research, locate a property, and obtain necessary permits. Use a booking system (like WpRently) to book automatically. Create a business plan with rates, marketing, and guest services. Start small and grow as the demand grows.
How to Start a Vacation Rental Business with No Money
Utilize your own home or join forces with homeowners to manage their units for a commission. Take advantage of free listing sites and inexpensive website packages such as WordPress with WpRently. Target organic marketing through social media in order to reduce initial expenses.
Are Vacation Rentals a Good Investment?
Vacation rentals do have the potential to be profitable, particularly in demand locations such as beach or tourist areas. Keep in mind expenses such as maintenance, taxes, and advertising. Look into occupancy levels and ROI within your market before investing
Are Vacation Rentals Profitable?
Yes, if handled effectively. Profitability is determined by location, pricing strategy, and occupancy. Price optimize during peak periods and minimize expenses to ensure high return.
How to Run Your Vacation Rental Like a Business?
Treat it as a serious business: automate bookings using software like WpRently, keep books clean, offer excellent guest experiences, and comply with regulations. Keep your listings and website up to date to stay competitive.
Wrapping Up
You’re now ready to take your vacation rental business to the next level with a professional website! Using WpRently, you’ve learned how to create a vacation rental website that makes booking easy for guests and management simple for you. From showcasing your beach villas or cozy cabins to automating reservations and payments, this WooCommerce-powered plugin has everything you need to stand out and boost bookings.
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