Feedback on our listing & lack of sitters applying

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

Hello. We’ve been members for a couple of years or so now. For the last year and a half we have received very few applications after posting. For our current posting we received no applications at all. Is our listing lacking in some way? Our current listing was posted something like 6 weeks before our departure.

I realize having no reviews from sitters is one thing; we’ve only ever been able to find one sitter and that person did not write a review in spite of our repeated requests.
So we’re not ready to give up yet on THS but it seems we need some help or to do something differently.

Looking for feedback/suggestions, thank you

(Added listing to forum profile)

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2

Hello @crose & welcome :waving_hand:t3:. Your listing looks okay & sounds easy enough but could definitely be improved with some tweaks. You need to tell a sitter why they’d want to sit for you as this is a mutual exchange. What is there to do nearby? Attractions, coffee shops, great walks, touristy things, any of that, add it in! It sounds like a good location and walkable so sell the sit more. Change the cover photo to the one of the cat & dog together or the dog reading the book, both are cute and will catch more attention. Change the title to something like “Cushty walkable San Fran sit with easy pets in comfy home.” You mention 3 beds but don’t have a family friendly tag, could you add one? Needs a better bathroom photo (shut the loo seat & show the Bath/shower) please. Could you offer to pick up a sitter from a nearby station? Where does Moka sleep as sitters like to know that too. These are a few bits that will help, make the changes and then relist and you should go back to being a “new” listing. #bestofluck

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3

There’s nothing glaringly wrong here, you may just be unlucky with your dates. Your home and pets look lovely.

I would take out cleaning the litter tray twice a week, most people do it daily so it might be raising concerns about smells in your home.

Can you add a photo or 2 of your garden, showing nice areas to sit outside and relax?

4

Take a look at other Bay Area sits within a couple of months, because they’re your most likely competition for sitters. Then based on that, I suggest seeing whether you can better market your sit.

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5

Welcome to forum @crose !

There’s nothing “wrong” with your listing as such, reading through it is actually quite good. I think it could be made more tempting, good advice from @Cuttlefish @UKSITTER1 and @Maggie8K .

For me, it would be more appealing if you already in your intro. tell me why I should go to your location, to stop me and make me read your listing in full and not scroll on to the next listing.

As your sit is doable without a car, that is a very good sit for many sitters. Same with family friendly. A family friendly sit in July is great for many.

So I would make sure to mention that already in the Intro. I would also change the first photo as suggested by Cuttlefish. You want a really nice photo to drag the attention in.

Take down your listing for alterations and re-publish it so it appears as New. Best of luck!

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El Cerrito does not sound like an exciting destination area and unheard of by those outside California. If your title says San Francisco Bay Area which you are part of, people have heard of San Francisco and want to visit there. San Francisco is a vacation destination. I also noticed that your cat was outside. If your cat is indoor/outdoor you need to mention that. I am from California and once owned a house in coyote territory but you need to let people know outside of US that coyotes are not harmful to humans as they are sacred of them and look like dogs. You don’t want your coyote statement to scare off people. I like outside space so a picture of your backyard would be helpful. As someone mentioned that bathroom picture is not appealing. Someone also mentioned family friendly which would be a good idea for summer. For me I look at sits at least two months out. The sooner you could post the better your chances. You said that one sitter you had never left a review. Did she leave one for others and not for you? Maybe write her privately and ask if she would please share if there were troubling parts to the sit that you are not aware of. You also did not leave her a review and wondering why. Good Luck. Hope you get some applications.

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If I were to only change one thing, it would be to headline San Francisco Bay Area. Other tweaks may be helpful, but that is essential. I googled from El Cerrito to Ghirardelli Square, for an example, and got 30 minutes by car, hour by bus. Get this kind of info in your listing. If I were trying to book west coast, I would be looking for unicorn sits where we could travel with my brother and his wife, two retired couples. It seems you would likely accommodate this type of thing. If so, definitely tag open to families. Good luck.

8

In addition to commute time to the city, I would like to see more detailed information about the immediate area, parks, beaches, restaurants, open space, hiking trails, galleries, museums, views, Trader Joes, famers market and which require a car/transport vs walking.

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9

I agree with the other comments coming through here, with the following highlights:

  • Since El Cerrito is less recognizable to most people, definitely name San Francisco in the title (we can see that you’re actually in El Cerrito in the location, which shows directly underneath the title. so it isn’t misleading to do this.)
  • A nice addition would be some photos of the outside area/house/neighborhood (even a scenic photo of the nearby park you mentioned could be a nice photo to include)
  • Related to both of those notes, you might also include a nice photo of the San Fran skyline / golden gate bridge – even as your cover photo, to grab attention

It sounds like a great sit but seems like you might just need a better hook to get potential sitters to open up your listing and read it through. Focusing on the title and/or cover photo and making sure it’s clear that sitters can easily visit SF from your home will be a strong hook for many potentials.

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10

Agree with the feedback above - highlight in the pitch, intro and headline what you have to offer, your end of the deal. Since it’s old pets I would also include that you have a vet account set up (I’ll take that you do)

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11

Your post is extra interesting to me because it has popped up on my searches and after a brief read, I scrolled right by. As I go back and read it more thoroughly, it looks like you have made a few recent changes based on advice from forum members; I think that most of the advice that they gave is very good, and those changes could be made as well.

I’m quite sure that a big part of the problem is that there are so many sits being advertised for this time period. Just from July 12-21, there are 28 homeowners looking for sitters in this area.

The sit looks perfectly lovely, and El Cerrito is great, but you don’t give me the feeling that it would be the most wonderful sit available. I have found that most of the Homeowners advertising sits in this area give fairly long and loving descriptions of their pets and their home. Your statements tend to be on the brief side, and you refer to dog and cat instead of using their names. I can’t tell from your listing if you are just very laid-back and non-demanding, or if you are simply terse and couldn’t be bothered to give a flowing description. I am now assuming the former, based on your appeal to this forum community! So see if you can make us feel the love!

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thank you everybody, I very much appreciate the feedback !

13

I would love to give you feedback however I cannot access your listing.

14

You have applicants! Well done. Hope you all have a great sit.

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Agree with everyone else. I would also love to see pics of your outside area and also more about your area, are there bike trails or hiking trails near, what is there around that area to do, besides san fran.

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16

This listing has a solid foundation — it’s clear, straightforward, and includes all the necessary information. However, to make it truly appealing, especially for top-tier sitters, a few things could elevate it:

  • The tone and personality could use a bit more warmth. Right now, it reads a little clinical. Adding a friendly voice and a sense of what makes your home and pets special will help it stand out.
  • The headline is informative but not very enticing. Highlighting the charm of the neighborhood or the sweet personalities of the pets would help it catch attention.
  • Descriptive details about the home, local vibe, or views could help potential sitters picture themselves there.
  • The responsibilities are listed clearly, which is great, but a touch more inviting language would make even litter box duty feel less off-putting.

Rewritten Listing:

Charming Bay Area Stay with a Sweet Pup and Cuddly Cat — Easy Access to San Francisco
El Cerrito, East Bay Area

Welcome to Our Home

Hi! We’re Charles and Lori — lifelong travelers who love sharing our peaceful El Cerrito home with fellow adventurers. We’re looking for a kind, responsible sitter to care for our two wonderful pets while we’re away.

Our cozy 3+ bedroom home is located on a wide, tree-lined street in a quiet and friendly neighborhood. We’re just a 7-minute walk from the El Cerrito BART station, giving you easy access to San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and beyond. You’ll also find local shops, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance — it’s a breeze to get around without a car.

Relax in the private backyard, enjoy fresh air on the front porch, or catch the sunset views from nearby hiking trails. It’s a great base for both exploring and recharging.

Meet Your New Furry Friends

Moka is our sweet 12-year-old mini Labradoodle (28 lbs) who loves fetch, short walks, and simply being near people. She’s calm, affectionate, and happy to relax at home while you explore the area.

Olive is our 14-year-old indoor cat — independent but affectionate when she knows you’re her person. She loves cozy corners, window views, and gentle company.

Both pets are well-behaved and easy to care for. They’ll be your loyal companions during your stay.

Your Responsibilities

  • Stay overnight in our home each night of the sit
  • Feed Olive once daily, and scoop or refresh the litter box twice a week
  • Feed Moka twice daily and take her to the backyard in the morning, evening, and before or after any outings
  • Moka enjoys a daily walk or quick trip to the nearby park for a short game of fetch
  • Water a few indoor plants twice a week
  • Keep an eye on the automated yard irrigation system in case anything needs attention

We’re flexible and laid back — Moka can be home alone for 6 to 8 hours if you want to explore. We just ask that you treat our pets and home as you would your own.

If you’re looking for a calm and convenient Bay Area stay with two sweet companions, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to message us with any questions.

I hope this helps!
Kytka

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17

so great, thank you for the help