Airbnb vs. A Custom Website for Your Vacation Rental: Which One Wins?

Is Relying on Airbnb Costing You More Than You Think?

If you’ve been listing your short-term rental on Airbnb or VRBO, you already know the ups and downs. Sure, they bring in bookings— but they also take a hefty cut, dictate your policies, and bury your listing among hundreds of competitors in your area. Meanwhile, your potential guests are scrolling past your place, bombarded with options, and getting hit with fees that make them hesitate to book. You might be contemplating, Airbnb vs. a custom website, which one is the better option?

Well, what if you could take back control? What if guests could book directly with you— no middleman, no unexpected fees, and no fighting for visibility? That’s exactly what a custom website allows you to do. Let’s break down why switching (or supplementing) with a custom Wix website is the game-changer your vacation rental needs.

Why Airbnb Alone Might Not Be Your Best Strategy

You’re Losing Money to Platform Fees

Let’s start with the obvious: Airbnb and VRBO take a chunk of your profits. Every time a guest books, you’re handing over a percentage of your earnings— money that could be reinvested into your rental.

• Airbnb typically takes 3-15% in host service fees (and sometimes more).

• Guests get hit with Airbnb service fees, which can be 10-20% on top of your rate.

• If you’re processing a high number of bookings, that’s thousands of dollars lost per year.

With your own booking website, you keep 100% of the revenue (minus standard payment processor fees), which means more money stays in your pocket.

You Have Zero Control Over the Guest Experience

When guests book through Airbnb, they’re interacting with Airbnb’s branding— not yours. Everything from the communication process to the checkout experience is dictated by their platform.

But with a custom website, you’re in charge.

• You design the booking flow to be as simple and intuitive as possible.

• You highlight your property’s personality through branding, custom photos, and guest testimonials.

• You build trust with a professional website, rather than being just another listing among competitors.

• You customize the entire experience—from first click to checkout, making guests feel personally welcomed and valued.

Think about the difference between booking a hotel through Expedia vs. booking directly on the hotel’s website. Which one feels more personal and high-end? Exactly.

You’re Constantly Competing With Other Listings

Airbnb isn’t designed to benefit hosts— it’s designed to keep users scrolling. Even when someone finds your listing, Airbnb immediately suggests similar rentals in the area. That means you’re constantly competing for attention, even when a guest is on your page.

With a custom website, the only options guests see are your properties. No distractions, no competing listings, just your rental, your story, and your unique selling points.

What a Custom Website Can Do for Your Vacation Rental

Branding That Sticks With Guests

A custom website lets you create an unforgettable first impression. Your rental isn’t just a place to stay— it’s an actual experience. Through branded visuals, custom storytelling, and personal touches, you make your property stand out.

• Highlight your property’s best features with high-quality, full-width images.

• Build an About page that shares your story and what makes your rental unique.

• Create a Local Guide section that gives guests exclusive tips on the best restaurants, hiking trails, or attractions.

Instead of blending in on Airbnb, your rental becomes a destination guests remember.

Direct Bookings = No More Middleman Fees

Booking through your website means no Airbnb commission, no guest service fees, and no restrictive policies. You set your own pricing, cancellation policies, and promotions.

• Offer exclusive direct-booking discounts to encourage guests to book through your site.

• Upsell experiences, like early check-in, local tours, or special packages.

• Control how taxes are collected instead of dealing with Airbnb’s tax system.

Guests appreciate transparency and lower costs, which makes them more likely to book directly.

Better SEO & Visibility (More Bookings, Less Work)

The best part? Your website isn’t just a booking platform— it’s an SEO powerhouse that brings in organic traffic.

Here’s how:

• Write blog posts about your area (e.g., “Best Coffee Shops in Asheville” or “Top Things to Do Near [Your Rental]”).

• Optimize your pages for Google search terms like “best vacation rentals in [Your City]”.

• Use alt text on images, structured headings, and fast-loading pages to improve rankings.

The more SEO-optimized content you create, the higher Google ranks your site, meaning more free traffic and more direct bookings.

FAQ: Airbnb vs. a Custom Website

Q: Do I have to stop using Airbnb if I build my own website?

A: Nope! You can use both. Many hosts use Airbnb to attract first-time guests but encourage repeat bookings through their website to avoid fees.

Q: What about payment processing?

A: Platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Wix Payments make handling direct bookings secure and seamless.

Q: What’s the best platform to build a custom vacation rental website?

A: Wix is one of the best options because it’s user-friendly, customizable, and integrates with tools like HotelRunner for booking management.

Q: Will a custom website really help me get more bookings?

A: 100%. With SEO, direct booking incentives, and a distraction-free experience, your site will attract new guests and keep past guests coming back.

Why a Custom Website is the Smart Move

If you’re tired of high fees, limited control, and constant competition on Airbnb, a custom website is your next power move.

You’ll save money, build a stronger brand, and create a direct booking system that puts you in full control. Whether you keep using Airbnb as a marketing tool or transition fully to your own platform, having a website gives you leverage, flexibility, and long-term success.

Ready to make the switch? I'd love to work with you on building a beautiful, optimized website that helps your rental get booked out over and over again!

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