Essential Tech to Manage & Scale Your STR Business

From property management to dynamic pricing, automating your processes can save time, reduce stress, and ultimately increase the profitability of your short-term rental. Here are some of the top tech tools to help you efficiently manage and grow your STR business.

 

1. Property Management Software (PMS)

A robust PMS can help streamline operations by centralizing your reservations, guest communications, and task management.

Guesty – Trusted by Airbnb and Booking.com, enables you to automate your business by centralizing your properties, automated messaging, and more all in one platform. Allows you to distribute my listings with all the online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, automate my messaging and calendar management, and more. 

Hostaway – An all-in-one platform that syncs calendars, automates guest messaging, and provides in-depth reporting to optimize your revenue.

Lodgify – Ideal for independent hosts, Lodgify allows you to build a direct booking website and integrate with multiple OTAs while managing all bookings in one dashboard.

 

2. Dynamic Pricing Tools

Pricing optimization is crucial for maximizing revenue. These tools analyze market trends and adjust your rates in real-time to keep you competitive.

PriceLabs – Uses AI-driven pricing strategies to analyze demand and adjust your nightly rates for higher occupancy and revenue.

Beyond Pricing – Connects with your PMS to automate pricing based on supply and demand, ensuring competitive pricing without manual adjustments.

Wheelhouse – Provides customizable pricing strategies, allowing you to set rules based on your preferences while optimizing for maximum profit.

 

3. Smart Locks and Security Systems

Offering self-check-in options and ensuring guest safety are essential for a seamless experience. Click the links below to learn more, and shop for these items.*

Schlage Smart Lock – A PWD favourite, these locks provide advanced security with customizable access codes and built-in alarm technology for added protection.

Yale Assure Lock – A smart lock with keypad entry, ideal for managing multiple guests without the hassle of lost keys.

Ring Video Doorbell – Enhances security by allowing you to monitor guest arrivals and any suspicious activity around your property.

Pictured: The Rosé House, featuring a Schlage smart lock.

 

4. Automated Messaging and Guest Communication

Effective guest communication improves the guest experience while reducing your workload.

Hospitable (formerly Smartbnb) – Automates guest messaging, reviews, and task assignments for your cleaning crew.

Duve – Provides personalized guest messaging, digital check-in options, and upselling opportunities.

WhatsApp Business – Enables quick and efficient communication with guests while maintaining professionalism.

 

5. Cleaning and Maintenance Coordination

Keeping your rentals spotless and well-maintained is non-negotiable.

Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB) – Automates cleaner scheduling and payments, ensuring your properties are always guest-ready.

Breezeway – Provides a task management platform for cleaning, maintenance, and inspections, keeping operations smooth and efficient.

Properly – Offers visual checklists and remote inspections to maintain high cleaning standards.

 

6. Accounting and Expense Tracking

Accurate financial tracking is essential for profitability and tax compliance.

QuickBooks – A widely used accounting software that simplifies bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax preparation.

Stessa – Designed specifically for rental property owners, Stessa helps you track expenses, monitor cash flow, and generate financial reports.

Expensify – Automates receipt scanning and expense categorization for easy financial management.

 

7. Direct Booking Website Builders

Reducing reliance on OTAs can improve profitability by avoiding high commission fees. At Pink Wall Designs, we highly recommend Chase Gillmore of Maverick STR. Chase is an expert in STR management and marketing, known for creating converting direct booking websites that are built with SEO & marketing principles in mind. His expertise ensures that your website not only looks professional but also functions efficiently to drive direct bookings and maximize revenue.

 

8. Reputation Management and Guest Reviews

Your online reputation plays a significant role in attracting future guests.

Trustpilot – Helps collect and display guest reviews to build credibility.

Reputation.com – Monitors guest reviews across multiple platforms and provides insights to improve your rating.

Revyoos – Aggregates reviews from multiple OTAs, making it easier to showcase positive guest experiences on your website.

 

9. Legal and Compliance Tools

With evolving STR regulations, staying compliant is crucial.

AirDNA Rentalizer – Helps analyze market trends and estimate potential rental income based on location and occupancy.

MyLodgeTax – Automates lodging tax collection and filing, ensuring compliance with local tax laws.

Safely – Provides short-term rental insurance, protecting hosts from guest-related damages and liability.

 

Conclusion

Leveraging the right technology can make managing and scaling your short-term rental business significantly easier. Whether you need help with property management, dynamic pricing, or guest communication, these tools will save you time, optimize your revenue, and enhance the guest experience. Investing in the right tech stack today will position your STR business for long-term success.

Did we miss any tech tools that help you run your Airbnb or boutique hotel business? Do you swear by any of these platforms, or tools? Let us know in the comments!

 

You Might Also Like:

 

*Amazon Affiliate Links