Online reviews are more important than ever when it comes to the hospitality industry. In fact, nearly 9 in 10 travellers say that online reviews are important when choosing a hotel. But how can you get more 5-star reviews? Keep reading to find out some innovative ways to ask for 5-star reviews for your hospitality business (and a bonus how-to Guide to Generating QR Codes).
Make it easy
Make sure that it only takes a few clicks for your guests to leave a review. The easier you make it, the more likely they'll be to actually do it. You can include links to popular review sites in your post-stay follow-up email or even put up signs or QR codes around the hotel with instructions on how to leave a review.
Read all the guides in the Hospitality series:
Welcome card
Give each guest a card upon check-in with instructions on how to leave a review.
When guests are checking in, give them a card that has your hotel's name, address, and URL on it. On the back of the card, include instructions on how to leave a review on popular platforms like TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp. This will make it easy for guests to leave a review and increase the likelihood that they'll actually take the time to do so.
In-room leaflet
Include an insert in guest rooms with instructions on how to leave a review.
Another way to ensure that potential reviewers know how to leave a review is to include an insert in each guest room with the same information that you would put on a card (i.e., your hotel's name, address, and URL plus instructions on how to leave a review). This way, even if guests forget to ask about reviews when they check in, they'll still have all the information they need right in their room.
Make a special request at checkout
When guests are checking out, have staff members ask them if they would be willing to leave a review of their stay. This personal touch can go a long way in getting 5-star reviews because it shows that you're interested in hearing feedback from your guests.
Add a review link in your email signature
For guests who booked directly with your hotel, include a link to your review page in your post-stay email signature. This way, they can easily click through and leave a review without having to search for your listing online.
An easy way to secure reviews
One easy way to encourage guests to leave positive reviews is to place QR codes in strategic locations around your hotel. Guests can scan the QR code with their smartphone and be taken directly to your hotel's listing on popular review sites like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews. From there, they can quickly and easily leave a review. Not only does this make it easy for guests to leave a review, but it also ensures that all reviews are left on reputable, third-party sites that potential future guests are likely to trust.
What is a QR code?
A QR code is a type of barcode that can be read by smartphones and other devices with cameras. QR stands for "Quick Response," meaning that QR codes can be scanned quickly to reveal the information they contain. This information can be anything from a URL to plain text.
QR codes have a number of advantages over traditional barcodes. They can store more information in a smaller space, and they can be read from any direction (traditional barcodes can only be read from left to right). This makes them ideal for sharing information like website URLs, contact information, or even just short messages.
How to: Generate a QR Code
Step 1: Choose A QR Code Generator
There are a lot of different QR code generators out there, but we recommend using QR Code Generator, powered by bit.ly. QR Code Generator is free to use for 14 days and offers a wide range of customisation options to make your QR code stand out. Plus, they offer a handy tracking feature so you can see how many people are scanning your QR code. You can also generate QR codes for free from Google Sheets.
Step 2: Create Your QR Code
Once you've chosen a QR code generator, it's time to create your QR code. Create the code that connects directly to your review site, either on TripAdvisor or Google Reviews.
You'll then be given the option to download your QR code as a PNG or SVG file. We recommend downloading the PNG file as it's a small file size that is crisp and clear, and will load faster when scanned.
Step 3: Add Your QR Code to Your Marketing Materials
Now that you've generated your QR code, it's time to add it to your review requests and marketing materials. This could be anything from print ads and business cards to flyers and posters. Wherever you put your QR code, make sure it's prominently displayed and easy to scan.
Requesting reviews is easy (and essential)
Asking for 5-star reviews doesn't have to be difficult or awkward—with a little planning, it can be easy and even fun! By following these tips, you'll be on your way to getting the positive reviews you need to attract more guests and keep your hospitality business thriving.
Read: 5 Secrets to Improving your TripAdvisor Ranking
Interested to learn more?
We can design and print all your marketing materials, cards and professional posters to help your business have a professional, branded appearance. Get in touch at hello@treattorbay.co.uk or simply book some time in the diary.