You have a beautifully designed property. Your guests love the experience. But when someone searches for a “short term rental in [your town],” does your website show up?
If not, you’re missing one of the most valuable booking channels available to STR hosts – organic search. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. It’s what helps your website appear when people Google terms like:
- “Beachfront Airbnb near Byron Bay”
- “Dog-friendly holiday rental in Margaret River”
- “Short term rental with pool in Daylesford”
The best part? SEO traffic is free. No commissions. No ad budget. Just the right strategy and structure.
Here’s how to make sure your short term rental website is set up to get found — and booked.
1. Understand What Guests Are Searching For
SEO starts with knowing how your ideal guests search. They don’t just look up “nice holiday home.” They’re specific. They use keywords that include:
- Location (suburb, region, nearby attraction)
- Features (pet-friendly, pool, fireplace)
- Stay types (romantic getaway, family stay, remote work)
Example: Instead of targeting “Airbnb Sydney,” you might rank faster with “quiet family-friendly rental near Centennial Park.”
Pro tip: Use a tool like Google’s Keyword Planner or even the autocomplete suggestions to see real guest search phrases.
2. Optimise Your Website Structure
Google reads your site the way a guest would – but even more analytically. Your website should include:
- Clear page titles with relevant keywords
- Descriptive meta descriptions for each page
- Headings that guide content structure (H1, H2, etc.)
- Alt text for images that describe what’s shown
- Internal links between pages (e.g., link from your blog to booking page)
Don’t overstuff keywords – Google prefers natural, helpful content that speaks to real people.
3. Create Local, Helpful Content
One of the easiest ways to boost your SEO is by creating blog or resource content that answers guest questions:
- “Top cafés in [your town]”
- “Packing list for a winter stay in [your region]”
- “5 family-friendly activities near [your rental]”
These kinds of posts do two things:
- Help guests plan their stay (building trust)
- Increase the chances of showing up in long-tail Google searches
Bonus: These pages can also rank on Pinterest or get shared on social media.
4. Speed, Mobile & User Experience Matter
SEO isn’t just about content – it’s also about performance. If your site loads slowly or isn’t easy to use on mobile, Google will rank you lower.
Make sure your website:
- Loads in under 3 seconds
- Is fully mobile responsive
- Uses clean navigation and clear CTAs (like “Book Now”)
Tip: Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check your current site performance.
5. Don’t Forget About Google Business
If you have a registered business, claim your Google Business Profile. This helps you appear in local map searches, especially when people look up “[type of rental] near me.”
Include:
- Photos
- Website link
- Booking info
- Reviews
Speaking of which…
6. Encourage & Use Reviews
Reviews build trust with guests and search engines. Add a few to your site (with guest permission), and link them to your Google listing if possible. Keywords in reviews also help boost local search signals.
Ready to Get Found - Not Just Listed?
At Direct Stays, we specialise in SEO for short term rentals. We help hosts show up on Google, attract the right guests, and build a sustainable booking channel that doesn’t rely on OTAs or ads.
to see where your site stands – and what you can do to get more bookings from search.