The Importance of Guest Reviews

WeNeedaVacation.com™ TM CAPE COD and ISLANDS VACATION RENTAL SPECIALISTS SINCE 1997 GUEST REVIEWS and Their Impact on the Vacation Rental Marketplace Cape Cod and the Islands vacation rental website, WeNeedaVacation.com, has combined the results of their recent vacationer survey with their website statistics regarding the explosion of guest reviews in the online vacation rental marketplace. The Dramatic Growth of Guest Reviews Guest reviews submitted to WeNeedaVacation.com have increased nearly 100% since 2011 and nearly 200% since 2009. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 |100 200 300 400 500 1600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 Reviews Submitted Vacationers Value Reviews 76% 76% of vacationers said guest reviews entered directly by other vacationers on a listing are "important," "really important," or "must have." Reviews Significantly Impact Booking Results Rental homes with 6+ guest reviews entered directly by vacationers are twice as likely to be fully booked.* No Reviews 1-6 Reviews 6+ Reviews It Pays to Ask 23 out of 4 vacationers surveyed are more likely to submit a review if asked to do so by the owner. Time is of the Essence 32% of all reviews are submitted by vacationers within 1 week of their stay. 58% of reviews entered by vacationers are submitted within 1 month of their stay. 40 30 20 10 1 week <1 Month < 2 Months <3 Months Time Elapsed Between Stay and Review Submitted 2009 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 Fun Fact: Reviews are most often submitted on Mondays. Rising Above a Negative Review 74% of vacationers would still inquire about a rental home with a negative review depending on the content of the review and how the homeowner responded. *94% of vacationers would still inquire about a listing with a negative review if it is accompanied by some positive reviews. Tips to Build Vacationer Trust When asked how homeowners can best promote trust, vacationers responded with these 5recommendations: Represent the home honestly and accurately. Convey an honest and transparent description of the home, its setting, and its location. Avoid unpleasant surprises. Provide the exact location of the property. Vacationers want to know where a home is relative to beaches, town centers, activities, etc. Displaying the exact location also provides them with greater confidence that the home actually exists. 3 Display high quality, up-to-date photos. 56% of vacationers say they would not inquire about a vacation rental listing that had dark and/or grainy pictures. Be responsive and communicative at all times. Vacationers expect prompt responses to inquiries, use of a lease, and clear methods of contact before, during, and after their stay. 5 Provide an accurate calendar. Vacationers want to be confident that an available week shown on your calendar is actually available. Copyright 2013 - WeNeedaVacation.com *Booking statistics are based upon active listings as of September 24, 2013 on WeNeedaVacation.com, that were activated prior to October 2012 and offered at least 8 weeks of availability during Summer 2013. The Cape and Islands Vacation Rental Specialists since 1997 WeNeedaVacation.com % of Reviews Submitted