What is TripAdvisor?
Let us start with the beginning: what is TripAdvisor exactly? It is a user-generated content website specializing in tourism founded in 2000. Indeed, it is possible to find thousands of restaurants, hotels, and activities worldwide, as well as pictures and customer reviews on this site. If you are looking for a hotel, you can also see offers from partners like Booking.com or Expedia.
For example, if you look for a hotel in a precise location, you can use the different filters to ensure the search results meet your expectations. Also, the places with the greatest satisfaction levels will be displayed first.
Why is it important to be on TripAdvisor?
It matters not if you are the owner of a small restaurant or a fancy hotel; your establishment must be visible on TripAdvisor, even if you already have a website. As we mentioned earlier, every day, thousands of people around the world use TripAdvisor to search for their next travel destination. It would be unfortunate to see a potential customer stay at another hotel because your hotel was not displayed in TripAdvisor’s search results, right? We could say that TripAdvisor is like Google but in the tourism field.
Another essential point regarding TripAdvisor is the customer reviews. Nowadays, more and more people look for customer reviews before booking somewhere. TripAdvisor meets this need perfectly. Indeed, the customers can leave a review regarding their experience. Their comment is also translated into different languages. But what happens if you receive a bad review? Do not panic! Please note that as the owner, you can reply to the customer. We suggest you do it because it will show that you care and want to offer the best service possible. Even the greatest hotels and restaurants have bad reviews from time to time. Here is a little tip: do not hesitate to read the comments on your competitors’ pages to see what is liked and what is not.
Finally, it is important to mention that you can use TripAdvisor for free. You can create a page for your hotel or restaurant without paying anything. It is relevant if you just have launched your business. Nonetheless, please note that TripAdvisor also offers premium services to help you get more visibility and bookings. If you choose this option, you will be in contact with an account manager that will help you optimize your page.
How to add your establishment to TripAdvisor?
Now that you understand the importance of TripAdvisor, how can you add your hotel or restaurant to this website? It is easy; you just need to follow these steps.
First, go to TripAdvisor’s website. In the footer, you can find the Add a place tab. Then, answer the questions. You need to choose the kind of place, confirm if you are the owner, check if your hotel or restaurant is already listed on TripAdvisor, select a role, and tell if the place is currently open. Then, add the official name of your business and write a short description. Finally, complete your registration with your address and contact info.
You will then have access to your account’s dashboard and have to complete all the information about your place. For example, suppose you own a bed and breakfast. In that case, you will have to list all the property amenities (parking, breakfast, internet, fitness center) and the room's features (air conditioning, tv, safe, refrigerator).
Important point: if you check the different hotel and restaurant pages on TripAdvisor, you will quickly notice that the pictures look professional. Indeed, these photos must convince potential customers to book. Therefore, if you decide to create a page for your place, keep in mind that you need beautiful pictures of your rooms or meals. If you do not have the budget to hire a photographer, discover our 6 tips for gorgeous pictures.
How can you convince your clients to write a review on TripAdvisor?
As we have just seen, the customer reviews make all the difference on TripAdvisor. It directly impacts the bookings and your position in the search results. But what can you do to encourage your clients to write a review on your TripAdvisor page?
There are many ways to proceed. You can indicate that your restaurant is on TripAdvisor by adding a mention on the menu or the confirmation email. You can send an email at the end of the stay to ask if everything went well and invite them to leave a small comment. It is also possible to order some TripAdvisor stickers and add them to your front door to remind people.
Another critical point: it is forbidden to offer a gift in exchange for a review on TripAdvisor. Besides harming your integrity and credibility, the website can take action if they see that your customer reviews are not trustworthy.
In conclusion, TripAdvisor remains the best website to look for restaurant and hotel reviews. Consequently, if you own a place related to tourism, it would be relevant to have a page on TripAdvisor as soon as possible. Once it is done, what can you do to increase the visibility of your restaurant or hotel? Find out the best ways to promote your business without using social media.