A guest facing an unfamiliar coffee machine does not want a research project before breakfast. They want to know where to start, which control to use, and where the supplies are.
Shop My Stay lets hosts give each item a name and room, add written steps and a short guest note, and review matched library videos. Guests open the help from a QR code without installing an app. The useful part is not how much information you add. It is whether that information matches the item in front of them.
Start with the right item
Use a recognizable item name and the room where guests will find it. “Coffee maker” in “Kitchen” is easier to recognize than an unexplained model number. Add the brand and model in their own fields when you know them.
Check the model label and the manufacturer’s instructions before writing. Appliances that look alike can have different controls. Do not borrow another model’s operating settings just because the front panels seem similar.
Pine Hollow Cabin, a Shop My Stay demo property, has separate items for its espresso machine, thermostat, and washer and dryer. Think of those as examples of how to organize help, not instructions to copy for your own equipment.
Put the everyday task into written steps
The item editor’s Written steps field turns one step per line into a numbered list on the guest page. It allows up to 1,500 characters and 15 steps, so focus on the normal task rather than reproducing the entire manual.
Name controls exactly as they appear on the appliance. Give each line one action, in the order a guest should perform it. Include preparation or cleanup only when it is relevant and verified.
Write for someone standing beside the equipment. “Use the button marked Start” is clearer than “use the usual button.” Avoid directions that depend only on color or assume the guest already knows where supplies are stored.
Use the host note for the small missing detail
The separate Note for guests field holds up to 140 characters and has a Showing/Hidden switch. It is a good place for a short, property-specific tip, such as the location of approved coffee supplies.
Keep the note distinct from the full sequence. If the written steps explain operation, the note can answer the nearby question a video would not know about your home. Leave out door codes, alarm codes, and other sensitive access information.
Review the video before showing it
Shop My Stay matches instruction videos from its library. Check the match description, watch the video, and compare it with the actual appliance before approving it for guests.
A general brand video is not proof that every control matches your model. If the match is unsuitable, keep it off and rely on accurate written guidance. You can request a video from the item editor when you cannot find the right one.
Make safety and the stopping point clear
For safety-sensitive equipment, use the safety notice and verify it against manufacturer guidance and the property’s posted rules. A short digital guide does not replace required warnings or professional advice.
Finish by testing the guest page on your phone at the appliance. If the verified steps do not resolve a problem, guests should stop and message you through the platform where they booked. Keep the help useful without asking guests to service equipment themselves.
Want simpler appliance help for your rental? Join the Shop My Stay waitlist for updates. Guests do not need an app.