The Inn at Blackberry Creek provides an example of the kind of great reviews so many of you enjoy!
A romantic treasure! “This relaxing and beautiful Victorian estate is a BandB lovers’ precious find! After staying at wonderful and varied BandBs in the Pacific Northwest annually for over 25 years, we have found our slice of heaven at The Inn at Blackberry Creek! Expansive manicured lawns surrounding the house are graced with huge age-old trees. Gentle breezes whisper through the leaves; RELAX…and everywhere you look is a profusion of plants, flowers, and color. Barb, the innkeeper, is also a gem! She unfailingly added to our every comfort. We can’t wait for our next stay!”
Increase The Power Of Your Glowing Reviews
As an example of how important Trip Advisor reviews are, TripAdvisor.com attracts an astonishing number of visitors each month, with approximately 456 million individuals, equivalent to around one in every 16 people worldwide, utilizing its various features to plan or evaluate their travel experiences.
More than 200 new posts are added every minute. These statistics highlight the immense reach and impact of TripAdvisor.
According to a study conducted by research firm Oxford Economics, the influence of TripAdvisor’s reviews and ratings on travel spending back 5 fyears ago amounted to a staggering $546 billion. Such a substantial figure underscores the significant role that TripAdvisor plays in shaping consumer decisions.
Experts suggest that a single negative review can lead to the loss of up to 30 reservations.
Back in the day when innkeepers of small inns first started seeing a negative review or two, they would be traumatized for months. These online reviews seemed so personal. But they changed the entire industry. as hard truths sometimes had to be faced.
Surprisingly, users tend to place greater trust in negative ratings compared to positive ones. This trust in negative reviews remains consistent regardless of the number of reviews, whereas positive ratings are deemed trustworthy only when supported by a large volume of reviews.
On a more positive note, great reviews hold the power to transform the fortunes of an inn.. When evaluating options, consumers tend to prioritize those with higher ratings. The research focused on Yelp, one of TripAdvisor’s prominent competitors, revealed that even a mere one-star increase in a hotel’s rating resulted in a noteworthy 5-9% increase in revenue. It is evident that the opinions expressed by previous guests hold considerable sway over potential customers, and negative reviews can prove detrimental to a business’s success.
For new inns, building and maintaining a favorable online reputation is of paramount importance. Travelers place value on ratings, and it directly influences the revenue potential. The rating bestowed upon your property will ultimately determine the level of financial success it can achieve.
14 ways you can use reviews to grow your business:
- Monitor and analyze reviews regularly to gain insights into guest preferences, needs, and concerns.
- Respond promptly and professionally to both positive and negative reviews, showing your commitment to guest satisfaction.
- Use positive reviews as testimonials on your website, your newsletters, social media, and other marketing materials to build trust and credibility.
- Encourage satisfied guests to leave reviews on popular review sites or platforms like TripAdvisor, Google, or Booking.com.
- Implement a review collection strategy, such as sending automated review requests after check-out
- Encourage staff to also write down positive comments that are spoken in person or on the phone. Ask the guest if you can use what they said and use where you can, such as websites and newsletters.
- Use guest feedback to identify strengths and unique selling points of your inn which can be highlighted in marketing campaigns.
- Incorporate keywords and phrases from positive reviews into your website and online content to improve search engine optimization (SEO).
- Create a dedicated section on your website to showcase guest reviews and ratings, emphasizing the positive experiences shared by previous guests.
- Share positive reviews internally with your team to motivate and recognize staff members who have received positive guest feedback.
- Encourage guests to provide feedback during their stay to address any concerns in real-time and potentially mitigate negative reviews.
- Leverage positive reviews to attract corporate clients by showcasing the experiences of business travelers who have stayed at your inn.
- Engage with influential travel bloggers or social media influencers who may be interested in reviewing your inn expanding your reach to their followers.
- Analyze and compare your hotel’s performance against competitors based on review scores, identifying opportunities for differentiation and improvement.
