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Make your listings stand out: write compelling descriptions

Turn data into engaging experiences through personalized, well-structured descriptions that highlight your property.

Written by Lisa
Updated over 3 months ago

Connect with travelers from the very first line

Imagine telling the unique story of your property to a curious traveler. A good description doesn’t just inform — it inspires the desire to book — while also preventing sync issues with portals like VRBO. That’s why personalization is key: it transforms cold data into a warm narrative that connects emotionally.

Automatic vs. personalized descriptions

The system automatically generates a description based on your property’s features — such as the number of rooms, amenities, and layout. These automatic versions can be available in up to 16 languages, helping you reach a global audience.

However, if you don’t create a manual version, the default automated text will be used for each language.

A personalized description, on the other hand, allows you to emphasize what makes your property truly special — perhaps a terrace with sea views or the rustic charm of a countryside kitchen. You can also manually translate the content into other languages to preserve tone and nuance. Additionally, there’s an option to generate descriptions with AI, which you can learn more about in another article.

Attention to detail
Avoid including links in your descriptions. During synchronization with portals, links may cause your listings to be automatically rejected. For VRBO, personalized descriptions are mandatory; otherwise, your listings will not be published.

Using HTML tags to enhance your text

To make your description visually appealing without technical complexity, you can use basic HTML tags for formatting. The supported tags are:

  • b (bold)

  • strong (strong emphasis)

  • i (italic)

  • em (emphasis)

  • u (underline)

  • p (paragraph)

  • br (line break)

  • hr (horizontal rule)

  • ul (unordered list)

  • ol (ordered list)

  • li (list item)

  • h1 (main heading)

  • h2 (level 2 heading)

  • h3 (level 3 heading)

  • h4 (level 4 heading)

  • h5 (level 5 heading)

  • h6 (level 6 heading)

  • span (inline container)

  • font (changes font)

  • blockquote (block quotation)

For example, you can use <ul> and <li> to list amenities such as infinity pool or high-speed Wi-Fi. This makes the text easier to read and more engaging.

Best practices

  • Write the description first in your main language, then translate it carefully into others.

  • Think like a traveler: include sensory details such as “the salty sea breeze that fills the balcony at sunset.” Descriptions that evoke emotion also inspire action.

Common mistakes

  • Copying and pasting text with hidden links from other sites — always review before saving.

  • Forgetting translations — if you don’t complete all languages, the system will use the automatic version for the rest, which can sound generic and reduce appeal for international guests.

Step by step: how to create and personalize a description

Even though the process is intuitive, here’s a clear guide based on the VRMS interface:

  1. Go to VRMS → Accommodations → Short-term Rentals → Property list.

  2. Click the Full view button for the property you want to edit.

  3. In the property file, open the Photos and descriptions section and click Add photos.

  4. Select the main language (e.g., Spanish) and click Customize to activate manual mode.

  5. Write or edit the text in the editor, using HTML tags if you wish to highlight certain parts.

  6. Save your changes and repeat the process for each language, translating and saving with the button in the upper-right corner.

  7. Double-check that there are no links or errors before synchronizing with the portals.

Once your personalized descriptions are ready, your listings will not only synchronize smoothly but will also attract more bookings.

The next recommended step is to optimize your photo gallery to complete an irresistible property profile.


Frequently asked questions

Can I use the automatic description indefinitely?

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Personalized descriptions improve engagement and are mandatory on portals like VRBO.

What happens if I don’t translate into all languages?

The system will use the automatic version for any missing languages, which may sound generic and less appealing to international travelers.

Are there any restrictions on HTML tags?

Yes. Only the tags listed above are allowed. Others may not render correctly or could cause synchronization errors.

Do I need advanced HTML knowledge to write descriptions?

No. Basic use — such as applying bold text — is enough to highlight key details.

Can I edit existing descriptions?

Of course. Simply return to the same section to make changes as needed; updates will apply once you save.

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