If your listing is now active on Tarlen and you’re asking yourself “What’s next?”, this is for you.
The next step is making sure your listing is attractive enough to get travelers to rent your car.
Here are 5 simple improvements you can make to take your listing to the next level:
#1 - Price competitively:
You might be tempted to think the best way to maximize your earnings is to price higher than the market rate. But in our experience, renters usually get multiple quotes from different rental companies — and they almost always choose the most affordable option.
If your price is too high, renters may view your listing and even inquire, but they won’t book.
The best way to secure bookings when you’re new is to price slightly below the market price and offer a discount for longer bookings.
This way, your vehicle gets rented, and you start earning quickly.
Remember: with the carsharing model, you don’t have to pay the extra tourism and airport levies that traditional rental agencies do. That means you can price lower and still turn a solid profit.
#2 - Take great pictures of your car
A picture is worth a thousand words — and well-taken, thoughtful, flattering photos attract up to 50% more traffic and inspire confidence in travelers.
Here’s how to make your listing stand out:
- Take high-quality photos
- Shoot in full natural lighting
- Use landscape orientation instead of portrait
- Step back 5-7 meters before snapping the shot — avoid over-cropping
- Show both the interior and exterior of your vehicle
💡Good pictures tell renters, “This car is well cared for.”
#3 - Update your Calendar to make your vehicle available
Always keep your calendar up to date to let renters know your vehicle is availability. Renters search for cars by dates, if you haven’t set your availability 3–6 months in advance, your vehicle might not appear in search results. That’s a lot of missed opportunities.
Also, avoid marking your car as available when it’s not, declining too many booking requests can hurt your ranking in search results.
#4 - Focus on Customer Satisfaction for Great Ratings
Positive reviews and ratings make your listing stand out. To earn 5 star ratings, be receptive, welcoming, and responsive.
Carsharing is a hospitality business — renters expect kindness, flexibility, and timely communication. That means:
- Responding to questions quickly.
- Being polite and professional.
- Being on time for pickups and drop-offs.
- Responding to booking requests promptly.
💡Great service doesn’t just lead to good reviews — it builds trust, repeat bookings, and referrals.
#5 - Offer Delivery
People loves convenience, but for travelers flying into South Africa or arriving from another province, it’s more than just a luxury. It’s a key part of their trip.
Offering delivery to the airport or their hotel can elevate your guest’s experience, give that added touch of personalised service and delight them.
You can also charge a delivery fee and specify how far you’re willing to deliver in your description.
With these 5 simple tweaks, you’ll make your listing more appealing, competitive, and profitable and attract more happy renters.
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