Why You Should Leave a Review: Impact on Businesses

Good or bad reviews benefit companies, as well as help customers make informative decisions. 

Reviews can make or break a company. 

Who hasn’t read all the reviews before booking a hotel or in fact any accommodation? It’s nice to read about any establishment before spending your hard-earned money.

I am all for leaving reviews, good or bad, or rather honest reviews, but here are two things to consider:

1. Did you raise your concerns with the management? Sometimes, it is a simple misunderstanding that could have been resolved with a chat or a quick call.
2. Are you being fair?

Reviews are extremely important as they provide feedback to the operators, owners, managers and teams. They need to be addressed immediately.

Reviews vary from service to performance, cleanliness, staff, as well as a multitude of other reasons.

Calm down before leaving a reviews and think rationally

Let other potential customers and guests make their own informed decisions by submitting fair and honest reviews. Don’t write a review while you are angry, take a breath, calm down, and then write. Consider constructive criticism rather than scathing reviews. 

Receiving a good review is a wonderful pat on the back, but receiving a bad public review is a slap in the face. Whilst honesty is always the best policy, think about the potential damage and whether it could have been handled differently. 

Reviews are invaluable to businesses, and when a concern is raised, the business is obligated to resolve the concern politely, amicably and quickly.

The guest or customer is always right…yes as far as building a business is concerned this is true, but are all people reasonable?

The importance of reviews: Good or bad are vital to the growth of an establishment or business

Today’s reviews are instant and plastered all over the internet, on social media and a mix of review sites. 

Positive reviews can attract and sway new customers. Negative reviews warn potential customers to steer clear. “The pen, or keyboard, is mightier than the sword” was never a truer saying than in today’s age of social media. Some reviews are vindictive and often unfounded. Reviews play an extremely important role in influencing and attracting customers and guests. A hotel is only as good as its last review, make every review count. The reputation of any business hangs on previous customer satisfaction.

Good reviews 

Good reviews serve as an endorsement and a mark of faith from satisfied guests. Reviews can and will attract or detract interest from other guests.

A hotel with great reviews and a strong online presence makes the difference between mediocre and great. In a crowded market creating trust in prospective guests is paramount.

When a hotel receives a good or even a great online review, this should not make the hotel team think “Wow, we are perfect”. A great hotel will continue to add to their service and reach even higher standards. 

Bad reviews

On the other hand, bad reviews can help a hotel grow and improve their services and guest experiences. Identifying weaknesses is fundamental and it’s how the problems are dealt with that makes a difference. Learning opportunities through bad reviews can be seen as a warning. Businesses use them to refine their services, and customer experiences.

A stitch in time…

Dealing with bad online reviews and complaints timeously, goes a long way to rectifying situations. This saves a lot of pent up frustrations for future guests and grows a hotel. Leave a review it’s the right thing to do.

“We are only as strong as our weakest link”, leave a review and let us improve.

It’s all about balance - Good and bad reviews count

A few bad reviews among good or great ones can provide a balanced perspective for guests. A hotel will not do itself any justice by only allowing glowing reviews to appear, as no hotel or business is perfect.

What is written is important but how it is dealt with and addressed is even more important. 

Addressing and resolving negative online reviews promptly and efficiently can turn dissatisfied guests into loyal and happy guests. Reviews are important.

Constructive reviews are important

A constructive review, be it negative or positive, can help a business, and especially a business in the hospitality industry, grow and improve.

Some food for thought

Go a little old school and chat with the manager or person in charge. Write a personal email, call them, or chat with them. Give companies a chance to rectify any mistakes and if nothing happens then go public and leave an online review.

Lovelady Shield Hotel and Cottages reviews

The team at Lovelady Shield Hotel and Cottages in Alston, Cumbria, value and respect all input from guests.

Whether it’s a guest who pops in for a cup of tea or coffee, a quick lunch or a guest who books for a weekend or country holiday away. Each guest is as valuable as the next. Our commitment to excellence is crucial. Lovelady Shield Hotel and Cottages is here to host, serve, and to brighten your day and your time spent at the property.

Spending time in the countryside renews your soul and clears your mind.

Growing, and improving every day with every guest is a motto Lovelady Shield lives by.

Contact us and book a weekend getaway at Lovelady Shield Hotel and Cottages or pop in for lunch. We look forward to you leaving reviews.