Where can you advertise a homestay for free in Malaysia?
The most effective free place is a Google Business Profile, because many guests look for homestays on Google Maps, followed by Facebook groups and your own booking page. Airbnb and Booking.com are free to list on but charge a fee or commission on each booking. Active UrusPro listings also appear in the HelloStay catalogue with no commission.
Why is a Google Business Profile the first place to advertise a homestay?
Guests looking for a homestay near a place often start on Google Maps. A Google Business Profile puts your homestay on Search and Maps with photos, location, hours and a phone number.
Google does not charge to add or claim a Business Profile [1]. Fill in every detail, upload real photos, and ask happy guests to leave a review.
Is Airbnb free for homestays?
Listing a unit on Airbnb costs nothing, but Airbnb charges a service fee when a booking is confirmed [2]. Under the split-fee structure, most hosts pay a 3% service fee [2].
Airbnb is moving hosts to a single-fee structure, so check which structure your account uses [2].
What does Booking.com charge?
Booking.com charges commission, a set percentage of the total booking amount, including the room rate and extra fees such as cleaning [3]. It is applied after the guest checks out [3].
Your commission rate is set in your agreement with Booking.com, so check it in the extranet before you set prices.
How do you use Facebook and WhatsApp for a homestay?
Facebook homestay groups by state and area are still where many Malaysian families look for a place to stay. Share real photos, a clear nightly price and a booking link, not just a WhatsApp number.
A booking link lets guests check open dates themselves, so you stop answering the same questions on WhatsApp.
How do you get direct bookings with no commission?
Your own booking page lets guests book and pay you directly. Put the link on your Google Business Profile, Facebook and social media bio.
UrusPro gives every listing its own booking page with no commission, and active listings also appear in the HelloStay guest catalogue (hellostay.my). Every listing is free until 31 December 2026 [4].
How do you avoid double bookings when you advertise in many places?
Every new place adds one more calendar to keep in sync. Connect Airbnb and Booking.com to one main calendar through iCal, and check that calendar before accepting a last-minute booking.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Google lets you add or claim a Business Profile at no charge [1].
Official sources
Keep your rental records in one place
Free until 31 December 2026, then early bird RM 10 a month per homestay listing and RM 3 per room let monthly. No commission on bookings.
