How to write a headline that sells your property

Make your first impression count with a headline that stops the scroll

When guests scroll through lists of available holiday properties, the headline is one of the very first things they see. It’s the gateway to the rest of your listing, so it needs to grab attention and entice the guest to click and find out more. 

Here are our key tips for crafting an effective listing headline. A strong headline will help potential guests explore your listing in detail — and ultimately book your property!

Don't be generic

Avoid headlines like “Lovely holiday home” or “Amazing vacation rental” — they’re vague and don’t convey anything specific about your property. Instead, be descriptive. Mention the type of property (cottage, lodge, apartment, cabin) and use the rest of the space to highlight your property’s strongest selling points.

Don't use property names or numbers

Using internal property names such as Montbleu Suites 4 @ Lost Woods or Bob’s Cabin can confuse guests and doesn’t communicate what your property offers. Remember, your headline should appeal to potential guests rather than serve as an internal label. Focus on the benefits and experiences guests can expect when they stay.

Instead of: Montbleu Suites 4 @ Lost Woods

Try:

• Modern Two-Bed Apartment with Log Burner and Beautiful Views
• Delightful Three-Bed Cottage with Hot Tub in Peaceful Woodland Setting
• Luxury City Apartment for Ten Guests – Two Minutes from Bars and Restaurants

Use a simple formula

Follow this approach when creating your headline:

Adjective + Number of Bedrooms + Property Type + Key Feature + Additional Feature

This structure ensures your headline is descriptive, clear and guest-focused.

Highlight your best features

Consider what makes your property stand out and what will attract guests. For example:

• Private hot tub or sauna
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Garden, patio, terrace or balcony
• Free parking
• Fireplace or log-burning stove
• Smart TV, Netflix, or Sky access
• Washer and dryer

Keep it concise

Headlines should ideally be no longer than 50 characters. This helps ensure they display correctly across all booking sites and perform better in search results. Focus on the most important details and avoid unnecessary words.

Avoid unnecessary abbreviations 

While short terms such as two-bed, A/C or w/ are acceptable, avoid excessive abbreviations that might confuse guests. Clear, easy-to-read headlines always perform better.

How to update your listing headline

• Log in to your Travelnest account and, from your Home page, select the property you would like to edit.

• Once you have chosen the property, open the Listing Details section and select Headline and Description.

• Here, you can write your own listing headline or choose Generate title to create one automatically.
• You can also create or update your property description in this section. When finished, click Save Changes to make your updates visible on booking sites.

Travelnest tip

While our system can generate suggestions for headlines and descriptions, you know your property best. Write a headline that is engaging, descriptive, and focused on the features that will appeal most to your guests.