Property Blog & Local Guide
Property Blog & Local Guide
Tier: 🌱 Growth Plan ($29/mo) and above
Time to read: 8 minutes
What is the Local Guide?
The Local Guide is a built-in blog for each property. Share local tips, restaurant recommendations, activity guides, and seasonal content that helps guests experience your destination like a local.
Benefits:
- Improve guest experience with local knowledge
- Boost SEO for your direct booking site
- Showcase your expertise as a local host
- Reduce repetitive guest questions
- Drive traffic to your guidebook
Accessing the Blog Editor
From Property Dashboard
- Go to Dashboard → Properties
- Click on your property
- Select the Local Guide tab
- Click "+ New Post"
From Marketing Hub
- Go to Dashboard → Marketing
- Select the Growth Engine tab
- Your blog posts are listed here
- Click "Create New" to start
Creating Your First Post
Step 1: Choose a Topic
Pick something helpful for guests:
| Topic Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | "10 Best Restaurants Within Walking Distance" |
| Activities | "Top 5 Hiking Trails Near the Cabin" |
| Seasonal | "Winter Activities in the Blue Mountains" |
| Local Tips | "Hidden Gems Only Locals Know About" |
| Events | "Upcoming Festivals This Summer" |
Step 2: Write Your Post
The editor includes:
┌─ Post Editor ──────────────────────────────┐
│ Title: [ ]│
│ │
│ Cover Image: [Upload] [Unsplash] │
│ │
│ Content: │
│ ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Rich text editor with: │ │
│ │ • Bold, italic, headings │ │
│ │ • Bullet lists and numbered lists │ │
│ │ • Links and images │ │
│ │ • Block quotes │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ SEO Settings: [Expand] │
│ │
│ [Save Draft] [Preview] [Publish] │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Step 3: Add a Cover Image
Options for cover images:
- Upload: Use your own photos
- Unsplash: Search free stock photos
- URL: Paste image link
Recommended size: 1200x630px (social sharing optimized)
Step 4: Set Visibility
| Visibility | Who Can See |
|---|---|
| Draft | Only you (not published) |
| Private | Guests with guidebook access |
| Public | Anyone, indexed by search engines |
Step 5: Configure SEO
For public posts, optimize for search:
| Field | Best Practice | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Title | Include location + topic | 70 chars |
| Meta Description | Compelling summary | 160 chars |
| URL Slug | Short, keyword-rich | Auto-generated |
Example:
Title: Best Restaurants in Aspen, Colorado
Slug: best-restaurants-aspen
Description: Discover the top 10 restaurants
in Aspen, from fine dining to casual eats.
Local recommendations from a Superhost.
Blog Settings
Enabling the Blog
- Go to Property Settings
- Find "Blog & Local Guide Settings"
- Toggle "Enable Local Guide" on
CTA Configuration
Customize the call-to-action in posts:
CTA Text: "Ready to Book?"
CTA Subtext: "Check availability for your stay."
Button Text: "Book Now"
Button URL: https://your-booking-link.com
This CTA appears:
- At the end of each blog post
- In the sidebar (on larger screens)
- In the floating footer
Show in Guidebook
Toggle whether the blog tab appears in your guidebook:
☑️ Show "Local Guide" tab in guidebook navigation
Managing Blog Posts
Post List View
Your posts are displayed with:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Post title |
| Status | Draft, Private, Public |
| Views | Total page views |
| Created | Date created |
| Actions | Edit, Preview, Delete |
Filtering Posts
Filter by:
- Status (Draft/Private/Public)
- Date range
- Search by title
Bulk Actions
Select multiple posts to:
- Change visibility
- Delete posts
- Export content
Content Ideas
Essential Posts for Every Property
-
"How to Get Here"
- Directions from airport
- Parking instructions
- Public transit options
-
"Neighborhood Guide"
- Walking distance highlights
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies and essentials
-
"Best Restaurants"
- By cuisine type
- By price range
- By distance
-
"Things to Do"
- Outdoor activities
- Rainy day options
- Family-friendly activities
-
"Seasonal Guide"
- What to expect each season
- Seasonal activities
- Packing recommendations
Advanced Content Ideas
| Content Type | SEO Benefit | Guest Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Event calendars | Timely traffic | Trip planning |
| Itinerary guides | Long-tail keywords | Inspiration |
| Local interviews | Unique content | Authenticity |
| Photo galleries | Image search | Visual appeal |
| Video content | Engagement | Rich experience |
Growth Engine Integration
AI-Powered Content
The Growth Engine can help create posts:
- Go to Marketing → Growth Engine
- Click "Create New Content"
- Choose "Blog Post"
- Select a topic or use AI suggestions
- AI generates a draft for you to edit
Trending Topics
Growth Engine shows trending topics in your area:
🔥 Trending in Blue Mountains:
• Winter hiking trails (+45% searches)
• Best cafes for digital nomads (+32%)
• Pet-friendly accommodation (+28%)
Click any trend to start a post on that topic.
Content Calendar
Plan your content strategy:
December:
├── Week 1: Winter Activities Guide
├── Week 2: Holiday Events Calendar
├── Week 3: New Year's Eve Recommendations
└── Week 4: January Booking Promotion
SEO Best Practices
Keyword Research
Target keywords guests actually search:
| Good Keywords | Why |
|---|---|
| "best restaurants in [city]" | High search volume |
| "things to do [city] with kids" | Specific intent |
| "hikes near [landmark]" | Location-specific |
| "[city] weekend itinerary" | Traveler intent |
On-Page SEO
For each post:
- Include target keyword in title
- Use keyword in first paragraph
- Add keyword to headings (H2, H3)
- Include in meta description
- Use in image alt text
Internal Linking
Link between your posts:
"For more outdoor activities, check out
our guide to [Best Hiking Trails](/blog/hiking-trails)."
Image Optimization
- Use descriptive file names:
aspen-restaurant-guide.jpg - Add alt text for accessibility and SEO
- Compress images for fast loading
Analytics
Post Performance
View metrics for each post:
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Views | Total page views |
| Unique Visitors | Distinct visitors |
| Avg. Time on Page | Engagement indicator |
| Bounce Rate | % who leave immediately |
| CTA Clicks | Book Now button clicks |
Traffic Sources
See where visitors come from:
Organic Search: 45%
Direct: 30%
Guidebook: 20%
Social Media: 5%
Top Posts
Dashboard shows your best performers:
1. "Best Restaurants in Aspen" - 1,234 views
2. "Winter Activities Guide" - 987 views
3. "How to Get Here" - 756 views
Public vs Private Content
Public Posts
Visible to: Everyone on the internet
Indexed by: Google, Bing, etc.
Best for: SEO, driving new traffic
Use public posts for:
- General area guides
- Restaurant recommendations
- Activity suggestions
- Seasonal content
Private Posts
Visible to: Guests with guidebook access only
Indexed by: Not indexed
Best for: Exclusive content, guest value-add
Use private posts for:
- House-specific tips
- WiFi troubleshooting
- Checkout checklist
- Sensitive local info
Mobile Experience
Responsive Design
Blog posts are optimized for all devices:
- Full-width images on mobile
- Easy-to-read typography
- Tap-friendly navigation
- Fast loading times
Guidebook Integration
In the guidebook, the Local Guide tab shows:
📚 Local Guide
[Featured Post Image]
"10 Best Restaurants Near the Cabin"
5 min read
[Post 2 Thumbnail] [Post 3 Thumbnail]
"Hiking Trails" "Winter Activities"
[View All Posts →]
Best Practices
Content Quality
- Be genuinely helpful - Share real recommendations
- Update regularly - Keep information current
- Use your own photos - Authenticity matters
- Write conversationally - You're a local friend
- Include specifics - Addresses, hours, prices
Consistency
- Publish at least 1 post per month
- Update seasonal content before each season
- Remove outdated information
- Respond to guest feedback
Promotion
- Share posts on social media
- Include in pre-arrival emails
- Mention in guidebook welcome
- Link from your booking site
FAQ
Can I import existing blog posts?
Currently, posts must be created in GuestLoop. Copy/paste from other platforms.
Do posts count toward any limits?
No, you can create unlimited blog posts on all paid plans.
Can guests comment on posts?
Comments are not currently supported, but you can include a feedback email.
How do I know if SEO is working?
Check Google Search Console for impressions and clicks. Results take 2-3 months.
Can I have different blogs for different properties?
Yes, each property has its own Local Guide with separate posts.
Related Guides
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