Category: Travel & Adventure

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  • Electrical Fires – How To Avoid Them

    Electrical Fires – How To Avoid Them

    Electrical fires in a home involving appliance faults or electrical faults are more common than you might think.
    They are the third leading cause of home fires.
    Most of these sad accidents are due to improper or lack of maintenance or repairs of electrical components in the home. It is always tragic as they are very preventable mistakes.
    Electrical fires can happen in moments, so it’s essential for the safety of you and your loved ones to check your home’s electrical system regularly.

    Electrical Safety Warnings

    Sometimes it’s relatively easy to recognize electrical hazards.
    Other times, it takes an experienced eye to spot concerns.
    Electrical work is a skilled trade that requires in-depth training and years of knowledge to master.
    That’s you must hire an electrician for all electrical work including fixing up faults
    9 Ways to Avoid Electrical Fires

    Determine the age of your electrical system

    If your home was built in the ’90s or before there have been no electrical upgrades, it’s time to perform a thorough safety inspection and electrical audit for your home.
    Modern appliances require more electricity and can put outdated wiring and circuits under pressure and overload them because they can’t handle the amount of electricity needed by today’s technology.
    Overloaded wiring becomes hot, and this is how electrical fires start
    If you are unsure about your home’s wiring, hire a certified electrician to check your home’s electrical connections and wiring.

     

    Inspect power cords for frayed and exposed wires.

    Faulty wiring is one of the most common causes of residential electrical fires.
    Wires can fray or break due to their age, heat, corrosion or being bent out of shape. The protective cover and lining can also be nicked, pinched or pierced by nails or screws and these make contact with the live wires encased in the cord.
    When a wire is frayed, it is not adequately insulated. Frayed wires can easily catch fire if electric current flows through them and they come in contact with combustible material (e.g., carpet, clothing, etc.).
    If you suspect a wire is frayed, try disconnecting it safely to stop the flow of electricity.
    When a frayed cord is an old extension cord, replacing the frayed wiring with a new unit is probably sufficient.
    Call a certified electrician if ever in doubt to do a more thorough investigation.

     

    electrical fires

    Don’t overload your power outlets.

    Try not to plug too many appliances into one power strip or extension cord. For example, if your power strip has eight outlets, plug in only six or seven devices.
    Overloading is another common cause of home fires. It is recommended that you purchase power boards with internal overload protection.
    This acts as a failsafe, immediately cutting off power to your appliances if an unacceptable amount of current flows through the power strip. This drastically reduces the risk of a fire.

    Watch for burning odours and smoke

    Visible smoke or a burning smell is perhaps the most obvious signs and indications of an electrical fire hazard.
    Smoke results from some overheating causes: Overload, faulty wiring, frayed wires, old outlets, etc.
    If you notice smoke in your home you must go and investigate.
    If you think smoke is coming from an appliance, immediately unplug it and any other appliances on that circuit or in the room.
    Then start searching where the smoke is the strongest to try and identify where it is coming from.

    For extra safety, you can also shut off the power with the main switch in your switchboard.
    Calling an electrician can be a way to make sure you also get the right advice in what to do.
    A clear sign of overheating is discolouration around an electrical outlet, light switch or light fixture.
    Other dangerous signs include sparks when plugging in appliances, devices or outlets that feel hot to the touch and the sensation of electric shock when plugging in power cords.

     

    Make sure smoke detectors are working correctly.

    They won’t stop an electrical fault but they will warn you if there is smoke which is the first sign that there is a fire or smouldering.
    Modern smoke alarms are now connected to your home’s electrical supply, so there are no more beeping batteries or flat batteries. Speak to an electrician to get new smoke detectors installed!

     

    Check for flickering lights.

    Have you noticed that sometimes your lights flicker when you plug in multiple appliances in the same room?
    If the flickering is happening it is an indicator that you may be overloading your circuits or wiring. Check the wiring and circuit breaker for that part of your home and call an electrician to ensure your home’s electrical system is operating under safe conditions.

     

    Bulb wattage

    Installing a light bulb with too high a wattage for the lamps and light fixtures is another leading cause of electrical fires. Before installing a high wattage light bulb, make sure the socket you are plugging the bulb into can handle the power you need.  Never drape fabric over a light bulb.

     

    Damage caused by rodents

    Rats and mice are known to have an appetite for electrical wiring. During your electrical inspection, look for droppings or other signs of rodent activity.
    If you see telltale signs of rodents, make sure to inspect the area for wire damage. Rodents chew on electrical wires, which can strip away vital insulation and ultimately put your home at high risk for fire.
    Also, check that your pets have no being chewing on cords.
    Puppies are known to chew on cords.

     

    Be careful when using heaters.

    Space heaters are a great tool if you only want to heat a specific area of your home, especially if your home doesn’t have air conditioning.
    However, their mobility poses a higher fire risk. Often, homeowners place these portable heating systems next to combustible materials such as curtains, beds, clothing, chairs, couches and rugs.
    Heating coils in the heater are most likely to cause fires because the coils that generate the heat get so hot that most household materials catch fire immediately when they contact the coils.
    If possible, switch to a heater that dissipates electricity evenly across the unit. This will drastically reduce heat dissipation and the risk of accidental fire.

    Make your home electrical system safer today by calling your local electrician to get the right advice.

     

    The Article Electrical Fires – How To Avoid Them was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com

  • Why Laybys and Lesser Campgrounds are the RVer’s Best Kept Secret!

    Why Laybys and Lesser Campgrounds are the RVer’s Best Kept Secret!

    The enjoyment of stopping in RV laybys and lesser-known campgrounds is the experienced RVer’s best-kept secret! Read-on on and we will tell you why!

    Calling all RV enthusiasts not to miss out on the simple enjoyment of a select group of RVers who spend their holiday time living in secret out of the way places.

    Many of the most experienced RV enthusiasts spend their mobile lives on laybys and staying in lesser campgrounds savouring the simple joys of truly quiet, and often hidden, neighbourhoods.

    These are neighbourhoods where time seems to have stood still for decades.

    These are places where almost everyone is friendly, will stop to say hello and chat, and where traditional values are cherished. Places where time itself seems to pass more slowly, and each moment becomes that much more enjoyable because of it.

    For One Time in Your Life – Take the Road Less Travelled!

    Dear RVers it is so important that we all take the road less travelled! Please try it, even if only for one time in your life!

    Too many people drive without taking a moment to stop on laybys and to:

    • explore small local towns,
    • visit local historic and religious sites,
    • visit natural features of interest, and
    • listen to the sounds of nature.

    Instead, they plan their whole lives to a schedule. They rush from one “must-see” major tourist attraction to the next. They never stop!

    Don’t Live a Life of “Never Stopping”!

    Too many people who travel in an RV live their lives without ever discovering any of the quiet and secluded laybys.

    We mean laybys far away from the hoards of people. Charming places which revel in the simple joys of living.

    These are the places where on-arrival you must resolve to make yourself slow down and truly relax.

    Find a secluded spot to park up. Stock up with provisions, and resolve not to move the car or motorhome for days on end.

    Read, walk directly from the RV, don’t drive. Just rest while drinking in the natural beauty of your surroundings.

    That way the cares of your normal life will evaporate. You will re-discover the simple joy of living in the moment.

    Vast rural areas are available to RVers and their recreational vehicles. There are inexhaustible quiet places to stop and do this.

    These are places so quiet that neither you nor the locals, will normally ever see a tourist. So, walk the local by-ways, chat with the locals, dine and drink in their hostelries.

    As the locals in these places rarely see strangers, many of them will want to know who you are, and why you are there.

    Take an interest in their lives and you will be amazed at their warmth and hospitality.

    What are Laybys?

    Well, a layby is a place where the road ends and the open land begins. A good layby has little or no traffic and is off the beaten path.

    These are laybys that aren’t busy, don’t provide any facilities, and don’t have a lot of people surrounding them.

    Image text: "Laybys and lesser campgrounds".

    Freedom to Stop and Stay

    One of the advantages of choosing a layby is that you don’t have to get permission from anyone to go there. Although, you may of course prefer to ask about local bylaws to check that this is correct at each location.

    A layby can be a forest, beach, plain, parking area, or national park area that is isolated from any other place of interest.

    while staying in a layby you are free to use your time as you want. You can relax and enjoy nature’s sounds, or you can indulge your appetite for something new and different.

    It is a decision that you have to make as to whether you want to travel in an RV around the country, to a timetable. Or do you want to enjoy the outdoors as you find it? Do you want to make the most of it when you discover amazing new places and stay there for longer?

    Or, do you want to always stay in the safe confines of a large hotel or resort?

    Nowadays, when people go to a layby, they don’t just stop at a layby. They may plan a whole trip around a layby.

    Quiet Places to Stop as an Ultimate Destination

    A layby need not just a way-station on the route to your ultimate destination. Once you hit the layby, you actually may not want want to continue on the route to your ultimate destination.

    The point is to enjoy the freedom of the road. Some laybys may tick all the boxes, but you may not take to the location. If so, you can be up and away in a moment!

    That’s the point of freedom, but some just don’t like it. They like to know when they get up, what they will be doing that day, and for days ahead. That’s OK, but at least do try to “get” the joy of freedom!

    How do we Choose Great RV Laybys?

    If there was a rule for that, we would save a lot of time and trouble. By all means, look at maps, and read local guides. But, in the end, you have to just try the ones which look good, and stay or leave on your impulse at the time.

    We now know our favourite laybys in our best RVing counties, to which we return. How we did choose those great laybys in the first place? It was pure trial and error. The answer is, we didn’t know where the laybys were until we tried stopping. We have always found that the disappointments are overwhelmed by the delight of finding a really good one!

    Main Types of Laybys Best for RVers to Stop At

    There are three main types of laybys that RV enthusiasts like best and would rather you did not know about, as follows:

    1. Old Industrial Areas (Often Depopulated) Where Nature Has Returned

    The first is one that is largely off the beaten path. Many of these exist in the vastness of rural America, and in most other nations in regions where times have been hard. These can be like a cross between a museum and a rusting ghost town. There may be almost no people, no shops. Even at first no signs of civilization!

    These can be the most fascinating and rewarding to explore.

    Believe it or not, there will be places you can buy things, and obtain the services you seek. You just must rise to the challenge of finding them, in these places.

    2. Wild Places Where Nature is Unspoilt and Abundant

    The second is also completely off the beaten path. This is quiet and pristine nature. It is not necessarily, or even usually part of a national park, and they are easy to miss. In fact, main roads pass right past them very often, if you only knew as you rush past!

    If you choose to go to a layby that is completely off the beaten path, you will be exploring a place that is the epitome of nature. At these places, you must resolve to enjoy watching nature. Sadly, many people will soon become bored in these places. They will say there is “nothing to do”. If so, and that’s you, just up and go! That’s freedom…

    3. Rural Agricultural Areas with Vibrant Communities Local Traditions and Beautiful Landscapes

    The third type of layby is one that is only partially off the beaten path. But, these are a winning favourite for many RVers.

    In this case, there are people, shops, and often a good road that serves as an easy route to the layby.

    These roads are carefully maintained, and there are signs pointing you to them.

    You still have to be careful, though. Because if you go past the layby without looking carefully, you will miss these little gems. Most people just keep driving straight through!

    A Case History – Laybys and Lesser Camping Grounds in South Africa

    The first type of layby is something you will see in the South African Transvaal. However, in South Africa always check first with the authorities that any area is safe to stay overnight.

    There are two main roads, one that connects the Transvaal to the Orange Free State, and the other that links the Free State with the KZN Metropolitan Area.

    Both are excellent, and they offer a unique view of South Africa. But, it is even more rewarding to seek out the local laybys and lesser camping grounds off these roads.

    The second type of layby is found around the Drakensburg Mountain range completely off the beaten path where nature is unspoilt and largely untouched by man.

    These roads are scenic, beautiful, and offer a scenic view of the Drakensberg region.

    The laybys are a delight to visit. Some roads are well maintained and signed. But, some laybys are simply flat areas.

    Some of these laybys also provide some of the best views of the oldest mountains in the world.

    There are also other scenic drives and the third type of laybys in the Western Cape of South Africa. An example of one of these drives follows a route into Maraponson and Kalk Bay. These scenic drives are well signed, and you can see the Kalk Bay Sands and the Table Mountain Range.

    Laybys on these scenic drives offer a breathtaking view of the countryside in the mountains.

    The Article Why Laybys and Lesser Campgrounds are the RVer’s Best Kept Secret! was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com

  • Get More TripAdvisor Reviews 2021

    Get More TripAdvisor Reviews 2021

    High-quality customer reviews are essential for all business in the travel sector.

    Potential guests are scouring online review platforms to choose where they would like to book accommodation, restaurants and tours.

    93% of travellers worldwide saying online reviews influence their booking choices.

    Getting more reviews for your business is a vital part of any tour and activity marketing plan.

    Your potential guests are relying upon what your past guests are saying online.

    Surveys have shown that 80% of travellers would not book accommodation if there were no reviews online.

    They are looking for the type of feedback that assures them that your venue is where they will get the experience they want and what they will expect when they arrive.

     

    Trip advisor reviews

     

    Reviews Bring You More Business

    It’s safe to say that TripAdvisor can play an essential role in building your company’s brand reputation. Where you rank on TripAdvisor reviews can be very important to your business’s success.

    TripAdvisor is one of the world’s leading trusted review platforms, with a phenomenal 500 million average monthly users.

    Over 7 million businesses are listed on the platform, and it is no longer just holiday accommodation; it also offers many business listings and reviews, including restaurants, cafes, day spas, local drivers, tourist attractions, and many other brick-and-mortar businesses that rely upon tourists coming to the region.

    Users of the platform have left over 465 million online reviews.

    With the massive number of reviews left on TripAdvisor, customers look at the feedback that past customers have already left about your business. This will influence whether to choose you or the local competition.

    Reviews Boost Your Rankings 

    Trip Advisor also works similarly to Google; it has its own algorithm of what businesses it will display when a search query looked for

    Understanding how reviews affect your ranking on TripAdvisor is crucial to know how TripAdvisor’s popularity ranking algorithm works.

    It can be broken down into three basic areas:

    •   More reviews are better than fewer reviews;
    •   Good reviews are better than bad reviews; and
    •   Newer reviews are better than older reviews

    Did you know that more reviews can help with your Google ranking too?

    Suppliers can improve their activity marketing on TripAdvisor by generating more high-quality customer reviews.

     

    How to Get More Reviews For My Business

    But “how do I get more TripAdvisor reviews and improve my ranking,” I hear you ask?

    Getting TripAdvisor reviews doesn’t have to be a daunting process.

    If you do it right, you won’t come off as “pushy” when you ask for a review.

    If you’ve provided excellent service and know it, a large percentage of customers will be happy to give your business a positive review, no questions asked.

    To help you get those all-important reviews and improve your TripAdvisor rankings, we’ve put together the simple tactics that you can start using right away with little effort:

    Further down in this article, we will show smaller businesses how they can keep up with the bigger venues to generate more reviews and keep it low cost and easy.


    Now Tripadvisor does offer a free tool called Review Express.

    It helps you to request customer reviews via email.

    For larger businesses using this tool is effective as they will already have the systems in place.

    For a smaller or boutique venue – it is time-consuming to set it up and compliant.

    The 3 steps it requires a business to do before you can use it is :

    Ensure that the guests have given you the correct contact information

    Have your guests permission or consent that you can contact them via email

    All personal information about your guests that you have collected must be stored securely and following the Data Protection Act 1998.

    When the customer information is entered, you can send the email review request emails, which are a set template that cannot be customised.

    You can then track the emails sent, total opens, total clicks, and total reviews.

    However, the biggest drawback to using Review Express is its time, especially for smaller businesses. It’s a time-consuming task to upload the information and then make sure it’s all accurate and then backed up.

     

    get more reviews


    How To Get Easy Reviews For Your Business

    The fastest and simplest way to increase your reviews on TripAdvisor is to simply ask for them and make it easy to leave the review on the spot!

    It is frustrating when your guests agree to leave a review, only to walk away and not follow through. 

    In most cases, this isn’t because your guests are liars or inconsiderate.

    The truth is that people forget. Once they are home and their real-life starts again – Leaving a review is the last thing on their minds.

    This is where Perfect Review can step in and create a simple system that removes the bottleneck between asking for a review and making it easy for a customer to do it.

    With Perfect Review Tap Cards or QR Scan codes, guests can leave reviews on the spot for Tripadvisor PLUS the other review platforms to have set up.

    Yes, TripAdvisor reviews are important, but what if you could also get more Google Reviews and Facebook recommendations at the same time?

    Imagine if you had new reviews been spread across different platforms coming in for your business every day, and you were able to be proactive in what to suggest to customers while they were writing the review.

    It may sound obvious to get reviews on the spot, and it will take a little effort and a little training.

    The results will soon quickly speak for themselves, though, and the effort will be totally worth it. 

     

    tripadvisor hotel


    Train Your Staff To Ask For Reviews

    Your best staff are customer focus trained and will put their customers’ needs first.

    It will seem a little awkward at the start to ask customers for reviews.

    But it will soon become a natural part of the overall customer service process.

    Do training with your staff can train to ask for reviews from most of the guests they interact with.

    Happy guests may not want to help the business per se, but they do want to help out the people they connected with.

    They want to help the concierge who remembered their names every time they came into the lobby.

    Or the staff member who made sure that their food was ordered correctly when specific requests were made and ensured their dining experience was without any dramas.

    Have your staff practice their asking for a review, so it feels personal.

    Your happy customers are much more likely to leave a review if they think it will help the staff that helped them.

    It feels good to know that you have given a glowing review and mentioning their name to a staff member.

    Reviews are helping the staff and employees as well as the business overall.

    Great reviews will attract more visitors, giving the staff more work, and the stand out staff will also get recognition when guests mention who it was that looked after them.

     

    happy customers

     

    Incentivise Your Staff To Get Reviews

    There aren’t any rules that stop you from rewarding your employees for getting reviews.

    You can even start a challenge for the staff and offer a cash bonus or other reward when a staff member is mentioned in a five-star review.

    Please remember, you must follow all of TripAdvisor’s guidelines.

    TripAdvisor is very strict about incentives and what is not allowed.

    You cannot offer any kind of reward or special treatment for guests to leave a review. 

    This includes vouchers or discounts of any kind.

    Violations will result in the removal of reviews.

     

    Preempt Any Negative Reviews

    No matter how good your staff and business is, there will always be a guest who does not expect the experience. 

    It could be the weather, an extremely busy day with extra waiting times, or a guest with unrealistic expectations.

    Whatever the reason, a bad experience doesn’t necessarily mean a negative review on TripAdvisor.

    One way to get ahead of negative reviews is to approach them and address them directly proactively. 

    An apology or a sincere offer to make it suitable for the customer will go a long way. 

    Besides, negative customer feedback is often one of the best ways to find out where your business can improve. In addition, ignoring negative feedback can make an unhappy guest feel even more neglected, quickly leading to a public review.

     

    Respond To All Reviews Good And Bad

    Now and then, a bad review will make it onto your TripAdvisor account.

    But this does not have to be a terrible thing.

    Negative reviews are a chance to try and rectify what happened to the customer.

    It is also the best opportunity to put your customer service skills on show for all the readers reading the review and your response. 

    Offering an apology and a solution to try and make it suitable for your guest will speak volumes to the potential guests checking you out online.

    Let’s face it – Negative reviews are usually read before the positive reviews.

    People want to make sure that they will not be duped when they book into a venue.

     

    Tips For Negative Reviews

    Here are some tips for responding to bad reviews: 

    Don’t take it personally.

    Take responsibility for your mistakes. If you can show potential customers that you’re willing to own up to a problem (and fix it), they’ll usually have an even better impression of your business. 

     An apology can go a long way. 

    Don’t write your response when you’re angry, emotional, or in a bad mood.

    Instead, step away for at least an hour, reread your text before posting it, or have a coworker review it for accuracy.

    This gives you the chance to cool down and avoid a harsh, defensive or petty response. None of this reflects well on your company.  

    Plus, a healthy balance of positive and negative reviews can increase customer confidence.

    Go get more high-quality customer reviews on TripAdvisor. But remember, at the end of the day, it comes down to asking and making it easy.

     

    The Article Get More TripAdvisor Reviews 2021 was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com

  • Rent a Car – What To Look Out For In Car Rental Prices

    Rent a Car – What To Look Out For In Car Rental Prices

    What To Look Out For In Car Rental Prices

    A car rental is a business that leases cars for short periods of use, usually ranging from some days to a week. It can be an excellent way to travel to different places while saving money and time. There are many reasons to rent a car rather than buying one, the most important of which is saving money. By driving your own car, you will not need to pay road tax and insurance. In addition to this, you will not need to fill out rental forms as often. Driving yourself can also save you time since you can get to places faster. By driving yourself, you also avoid traffic jams.

    rent a car

    There are two different types of car rentals.

    These are full-service car rentals and, e.g. private services. Full-service car rentals are reserved through the rental company. On the other hand, e.g. limousine or sedan services are planned for the client. Car rentals companies offer various packages depending on your needs. A complete service includes insurance coverage, roadside assistance, driver supervision, and standard features such as air conditioning, navigation, DVD player, LCD screens, and CD player.

    The standard “Rent a Car” package includes insurance coverage

    All vehicles have standard coverage such as theft, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Usually, these services include only damage to the car. However, if your rental vehicle is damaged beyond repair, you may need to purchase additional coverage. This is what the comprehensive coverage is for. Some insurance companies require the rental vehicle to be equipped with at least PDA technology to provide insurance coverage in the event the phone goes missing. Some insurance companies will not rent a vehicle with this technology because it may increase the risk of theft. The coverage provided should be adequate to protect the policy holder’s personal belongings and their vehicles.

    Most rental car companies may include uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist protection in the standard package.

    There are several additional policies that the rental company may offer. These include loss of use, rental car replacement, rental car damage waiver, and rental car cash advance, to name a few. A standard liability coverage option is usually included with the rental car. Liability coverage includes bodily injury and property damage liability, medical payments, and legal costs. The cost of liability coverage is based on the rental company’s designated amount per month and is usually very affordable.

    The cost of underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage is not typically part of the standard rental package but maybe an option for clients who need it. These policies cover the policyholder against damages that occur due to a motorist who is driving without enough insurance to cover their vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to confirm the exact type of coverage that the rental car company will provide when renting. Some companies offer coverage options, which are more expensive than others, while others do not.

    Most rental cars have a factory warranty, which often expires after the limited warranty has expired.

    They also offer extended warranties, which are typically covered for the life of the car. If the car has been manufactured under the European auto industry safety rating system, it will generally have a warranty that the European Commission approves. Before renting a car, it is imperative to check all aspects of the insurance policy, including the excess or deductible. Excess or deductible is when the rental car company must pay out of pocket if the client has to make a claim. Many rental car companies charge an excess fee whenever a client has to make a claim.

    The location of the rental car’s location is another element that is taken into account.

    Car rental prices are based on many factors. Including the distance to the nearest rest area, mileage, time spent driving, the type of vehicle chosen, and the airport terminal used. Those who prefer to rent a car close to their home may end up paying a little more, especially when you compare to renting one that is 500 miles away from home.

    Car rental agencies have come a long way in recent years

    They offer a wide range of vehicles and great customer services. Rental cars are available at most airports today. Those with access to rental car services can make the most use of this option. It is important to take a good look at all aspects of the car rental before agreeing to meet everyone’s expectations.

    What should I be aware of when renting a car?

    The law in most places requires that you be covered under some insurance program before you can rent a car. Make sure you read the small print on the rental agreement to find out what the coverage is. You want to get the coverage you need, but you don’t want to pay too much for it.

    How do I avoid getting ripped when renting a car?

    If you are going to rent a vehicle, you will need to get an insurance certificate from the rental company. It is best to get it online instead of going into a local office to get the insurance. You will find that there are many different types of policies that you will find with rental companies. Sometimes, the coverage will be a mix of liability and comprehensive coverage.

    Is it cheaper to rent a car or use Zipcar?

    It depends. It really does. Both services work. It is all about the coverage. A single auto insurance policy is a lot cheaper if you use a car-sharing company’s services, but there are a few caveats.

    Who is the cheapest car rental company?

    The answer to that question depends on who you ask, and it varies depending on their credit history and the value of your car. If you get quotes from high-risk insurance companies, they will be the cheapest. However, if you get quotes from high credit companies, they will be the cheapest. This is because they don’t spend a lot of money on advertising, and they don’t have to pay out all that much in claims. This is the theory, but the problem is that you need to consider all the other things.

     

    The Article Rent a Car – What To Look Out For In Car Rental Prices was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com

  • TripAdvisor Reviews Are Important

    TripAdvisor Reviews Are Important

    TripAdvisor Reviews and the travel platform is trusted by millions of people around the world. 

    Founded in 2000, it is the largest travel platform in the world where travelers can share reviews. 

    TripAdvisor is where travelers, who are planning or during a trip, will compare prices on accommodation, flights, and cruises. The added bonus is that they can check out the popular local tours and attractions.

    TripAdvisor allows you to book accommodation and activities all from the platform and this is why TripAdvisor has proven to be the largest and most profitable platform for hotels.

    In this article, let’s go over how to have more success on TripAdvisor.

     

    Trip advisor reviews


    Why Should All Hotels Be Using TripAdvisor?

    Let’s look at some industry statistics, and you will be surprised at what it will show.

    Tripadvisor is available in nearly 50 countries and translated into dozens of languages.

    TripAdvisor is known for its popularity ranking. 

    Hotels are ranked based on their reviews by travelers.

    According to a survey, 81% of respondents said reviews are important, and only 3% said they are unnecessary.

    Statistics suggest that over two-thirds of customers avoid booking a hotel after reading one to three negative feedback.

    Now, all these stats support the fact that your target audience TRUSTS the reviews on TripAdvisor.

     

    Neglecting your TripAdvisor listing can be a costly mistake for your business. 

    It is a easy to set up a TripAdvisor listing and it will stop you from potentially missing out on a significant source of income for your business.

     

    tripadvisor hotel

    Steps To Apply For Your Business Listing.

    Check if your business is already listed by checking out – Tripadvisor Listing.

    If your business shows up in the search results, it means your listing already exists on TripAdvisor. 

    If a TripAdvisor listing already exists for your hotel, you can take 2 steps:

    You can claim an existing listing – This is suggested if the reviews and information are positive and correct.

    To claim your listing, click on your business name and click the “Claim Your Business” option to sign up for TripAdvisor’s Management Center.

    If the listing is incorrect or has negative reviews, start the listing all over and optimize it. 

    You can create a new business listing by visiting the page – List your business on Tripadvisor.

    Or, if you don’t see your business in the search results, here’s how to add your TripAdvisor listing.

    On this web page –  List your business on Tripadvisor.- Select your business type:

    • hotels
    • restaurants
    • attractions
    • vacation rentals

    The Process For Adding Your Business Listing Is Easy.

    Below are the steps to create a new listing or transfer an existing listing:

    Step 1: Business Information

    Fill out the basic information about you and your business.

    Ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date. 

    TripAdvisor will send a verification message to the email address you provide.

    Step 2: Describe Your property

    Add a property description. 

    This will help potential guests know more about your business. 

    Use the local language and it should not include HTML code, contact details, or use all caps in any of the text.

    Step 3: Add Your Profile Photo

    The first step to do is to upload your company’s logo. 

    TripAdvisor’s guidelines state that the photo should be in a JPG or GIF file format and maximum file size of 100 KB. (Without any borders or logos).

    Step 4: Click On “Submit”

    Once you have completed all these steps, submit the application. 

    Confirm that you are a representative of the company by clicking the button at the end of the form. 

    Then click the “Submit” button.

    Upon receiving the information, TripAdvisor editors will review the information and send you a confirmation email.

    This can take up to five business days.

     

     

    Ways To Further Optimise Your Listing On TripAdvisor.

    When you have created a listing, you also need to optimize it to get better results. Here are our suggestions:

     

    Verify Your Information

    Make sure all the information in your listing is correct. This includes your name, address, phone number, links to your website and email are correct. 

    You can make any changes in the Management Center by clicking “Profile” in the top menu and selecting “Manage Entry”. 

    This will allow you to update and add all the business information

    As a representative of the company, your edits will override any existing content.

    Make sure the content of your property’s description is rich and attractive and helps you stand out from your competitors. 

    Adding information such as opening hours, seasonal activities, suitability for children or groups.
    This will also help travelers choose your venue.

     

    happy customers

     

    Upload Photos And Videos

    Choose the right type of photos and videos of your property, including swimming pools, restaurants and gardens.

    This helps travelers get an idea of their stay ahead of time.

     

    The More Photos You Upload, The Better The Engagement Will Be.

     

    A business can submit an unlimited amount of photos to their listing and those with 30 or more photos have 41% better viewer engagement than listing with 10 photos or less.

    Varied photos of the property’s highlights will show your potential guests what they can look forward to.
    They can see what dining experiences are available, if the pool is for relaxing or if it is more suited for families. The grounds around the building will give a great overview for guests who like natural settings.

    Once you have uploaded your showcase images, choose one as your main photo to create a great first impression with travelers.

    After You Have Optimised Your Listing, Keep Improving It.

    Ways to Improve your TripAdvisor ranking.

    Your hotel’s ranking on TripAdvisor plays an essential role in improving its online presence and getting more reservations. It is REVIEWS that drives your popularity rankings in the local area

    Traveler Rankings: Hotels are ranked by the quality, quantity, and frequency of traveler reviews – and their consistency over time.


    trip advisor reviews

     


    TripAdvisor Ranks Your Business Based On These Three Main Factors:

     

    Quality Of Reviews: 

    Positive reviews and ratings affect your popularity ranking.

    Quantity Of Reviews: 

    Encourage your guests to write reviews, as more reviews are better for your popularity ranking. 

    Recent Reviews: 

    Recent reviews have more weight in your ranking, while older reviews have less influence. You need to keep encouraging each guest to leave reviews.

     

    The More Positive Reviews Will Help Build Trust Faster.

    Management of reviews is part of the process as thousands of reviews are being submitted worldwide every day, so don’t left behind!

    Start by asking your customers at checkout if they enjoyed their stay.

    If they answer positively and are not in a hurry – Ask for a review on the spot and this is so easy with Perfect Review’s Tap and Review cards.
    The review process is simple, and you are ensured that you are collecting positive reviews every day.

    IMPORTANT: Offering incentives for reviews is against TripAdvisor’s guidelines.

     

    Taking Time To Respond To All Reviews Also Helps Your Rankings.

    If a negative review is submitted – These are the reviews that potential guests will read first. When management takes the time to respond and offers a solution, this instils more trust.

    We hope that this article helps your business to get MORE business with TripAdvisor reviews!

     

    The Article TripAdvisor Reviews Are Important was found on https://limitsofstrategy.com