In general, it’s said that 33% of people read reviews when searching for a business.
(Source: Brightlocal)
So, guest reviews are one of the top factors that impress potential guests.
Not only that, reviews help you reflect on your vacation to maintain or improve certain aspects.
So, if you love your vacation rental business and want to take it to the next level, fetching guest reviews is as important.
Let’s see its importance in detail.
Reviews Build Trust and Credibility
Imagine booking a vacation rental based solely on pictures and descriptions. Enticing, right? But a healthy dose of scepticism is natural. Guest reviews bridge this gap by providing authentic, firsthand accounts of past stays.
Positive reviews act as endorsements, assuring potential guests that your rental delivers on its promises.
In fact, a study by Brightlocal states that positive reviews make 69% of people positive when engaging with a business.
So, positive reviews instil trust, a critical factor when travellers are investing in their precious vacation time and hard-earned money.
Positive Reviews Boost Bookings
Positive reviews are gold for your vacation rental. They not only build trust but also promote your listing in search rankings on rental platforms.
Many platforms prioritize listings with a strong review history, making your rental more visible to potential guests. Additionally, positive reviews can set you apart from competitors, influencing travellers seeking exceptional experiences.
Reviews Help You Learn and Improve
Guest reviews are a two-way street.
While positive reviews are fantastic, negative feedback, if handled correctly, can be equally valuable. It provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement in your rental or guest experience.
Addressing negative feedback promptly and professionally demonstrates that you care about guest satisfaction and are committed to improvement.
Encouraging Guest Reviews
Don’t be shy about encouraging guest reviews! Here are a few tips:
- Make the process easy. Have a built-in review system so that guests can easily leave a review.
- Time your request. Send a gentle reminder shortly after checkout, when their experience is still fresh in their minds.
With mr. alfred, you can set automated alerts for leaving feedback after a guest checks out
- Express gratitude. Thank guests for their stay and politely request a review.
Bonus Tip: Respond to All Reviews
Take the time to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. Thank guests for positive feedback and acknowledge negative feedback with a sincere apology and a plan for improvement. This demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to guest satisfaction.
It’s also a fact that customers are likely to do business with you based on your response rate.
The Takeaway
Guest reviews are a cornerstone of success in the vacation rental landscape. When you actively encourage reviews, respond thoughtfully and use feedback to improve your rental, you can build trust, boost bookings, and solidify your reputation as a top-notch vacation rental host. So, make sure you strive for guest reviews.
If you want a Property Management System that simplifies your vacation rental management, check out mr.alfred.
With mr.alfred, you’ll get a centralized platform that comes with various features like a Channel Manager, Accounting, Multi-calendar and many more. What’s more, you can set alerts for guests to leave their feedback. Sounds good, right? For more details, get in touch with us.
