Whether you’re new to carsharing or have been on Tarlen for a while, if you’re not earning or getting booked as much as you’d like, it may mean your listing isn’t optimized enough to rank high in the marketplace.
When your car doesn’t rank well, it’s shown to fewer people searching for cars.
It could also mean that when renters do find your listing, it isn’t convincing enough to turn them into paying customers.
If that sounds like you, we’ve got your back. We analyzed bookings over the past few months to see what guests care about most when planning a trip.
Here’s what you can do to meet their expectations, make your listing more competitive, and open the door to more bookings.
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Why ranking high on Tarlen matters for your earnings
Your position in Tarlen’s search results determines how many eyes see your car. More visibility means more bookings, and more bookings mean higher revenue.
Tarlen’s algorithm rewards listings that convert; great photos, availability, quick replies, and completed bookings, so every small improvement compounds over time.
Your car pictures matter!... A lot
Humans are visual creatures. Ancient humans passed down stories and culture through drawings and carvings. Today, we do the same, only with photos and videos on our phones.
Your car photos communicate value in seconds. They determine whether a guest scrolls past or clicks on your listing.
Take clear, well-lit photos that highlight your car’s unique features and make renters curious enough to click.
Good photos don’t just attract attention, they help improve your ranking and bookings too.
Read the complete guide: Why your car photos matter more than you think
Clean and maintain your vehicle for a 5-star trip experience
Carsharing, like the wider hospitality market, runs on trust. Whether they’re business travelers, weekend adventurers, or international holiday-goers, guests expect a safe, clean, and reliable car.
Failing to meet these expectations leads to poor reviews, which can hurt your reputation and drive away future renters.
But a review section full of happy guests praising your vehicle cleanliness and attention to detail is one of the best tools to grow your earnings on Tarlen.
Keep your vehicle spotless and smelling fresh. Plan maintenance ahead of time so you never have to cancel a trip. And always make sure your car is trip-ready.
Price competitively and adjust based on the market feedback
Don’t treat pricing as something you set once and forget. Smart pricing helps you win more bookings and maintain healthy cash flow.
Understanding the numbers behind your carsharing business gives you an edge and helps you make better and confident pricing decisions.
Start by knowing your break-even rate, how much you spend daily and monthly to operate your car.
Then, set your daily rate about 5 – 15% above that, depending on demand.
Keep an eye on the market to see how similar cars on Tarlen or at major rental agencies are priced. That way, you stay competitive.
Setting a competitive price will increase your booking which will in turn increase your ranking and attract even more bookings.
Offer delivery
Guests love convenience. In the past six months, over 80% of guests who booked on Tarlen requested to have their car delivered, either to their hotel, home, or the airport.
So, don’t hesitate to offer delivery and charge a fair fee for it. The fee should cover both drop-off and collection at the end of the trip.
Most Tarlen hosts charge between R250 – R500, depending on distance. We’ve also noticed a trend: guests booking longer trips often choose listings that offer free delivery for trips over 14 days.
If you can, include this option to make your listing more attractive and win more bookings.
Offer long term discounts
One of the best-kept secrets for attracting more renters is offering discounts for longer bookings. Many Tarlen hosts use this strategy to stand out and grow their income.
Guests are always looking for ways to save when traveling. Long-term discounts give them that, while giving you a higher chance of being picked from the lineup of available cars.
Benefits of offering long-trip discounts:
- You stand out: Guests compare prices across different platforms before booking. A long-trip discount makes your offer more competitive and helps you win more bookings.
- Better vehicle utilization: A key success metric in carsharing is your utilization rate, how many days your car is booked each month versus how many days it’s available. Long trips keep your car booked more often and reduce idle days.
- Less admin work: Longer trips mean fewer handovers, fewer cleanings, and fewer messages to manage, all while bringing in more revenue per booking.
Allow short notice booking
Some guests plan weeks ahead, but more than half book less than 2 days before their trip.
You’ll only capture this group if you allow short-notice bookings and can get a car ready within 24 hours, or even the same day.
Guests love flexibility. When they can find cars quickly, they’re more likely to book, and you’ll win more last-minute reservations.
Your availability and responsiveness matters
Always keep your availability up to date, especially for high-demand days like weekends and holidays.
Nothing’s more frustrating for a renter than finding the perfect car only to discover it’s not actually available.
Your response time matters too. Fast, friendly replies make guests feel taken care of. Quick responses also improve your ranking because the system rewards active and reliable hosts.
The faster you respond, the more likely you are to win the booking, and satisfied guests build trust through great reviews.
Offer extras & add-ons that raise your booking value
Travellers love convenience and are always seeking small comforts that make your trip smoother. That’s why airports and hotels charge for extras like priority check-in, luggage service, and Wi-Fi.
If you’re serious about growing your carsharing business, you can do the same on Tarlen. Add-ons make your guests’ experience better while increasing your earnings.
They also help your listing stand out from others with similar cars and prices. And when guests enjoy a great first trip experience, they’re more likely to rebook or recommend you.
Examples of extras you can offer:
- Delivery
- Child seat
- Bicycle rack
- GPS
- Phone charger or holder
Bonus tip: Promote your listing off-platform
Tarlen already promotes your listing to thousands of travellers across South Africa.
But you can take it even further by promoting your car on your own personal channels.
Share your listing on:
- Facebook groups
- Instagram (link in bio + short clips)
- WhatsApp groups
- Local tourism pages
These direct visits are high-value traffic, people who click through your link already have strong intention to book from you. That means a higher chance of converting those views into confirmed bookings.
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