Updated August 2024
Surely by now, homeowners realize how critically important it is to have guest reviews posted on their vacation rental listings. The words “pictures and guest reviews” are repeated like a mantra here in the office to homeowners seeking marketing advice for their listings.
In this age of online shopping, credibility and transparency are vital in alleviating any fears of purchasing products “sight unseen.” Plenty of great pictures along with feedback from other vacationers provide that necessary trust. So, if you don’t have any guest reviews posted on your listing, get on it! Contact your past guests and ask them for some feedback!
How can you solicit feedback from your prior guests?
No matter how much they adored your property, your guests may not think about writing a review. So, here are some suggestions on how to solicit feedback:
• Use our Request Form template to generate an email to your guests. All they need to do is click on a button in the email and start writing their rave review of you and your home.
• Alternatively, after your guests’ departure, email them on your own and ask if they would either reply to your email with some feedback or log in to your listing and submit a guest review. (Be sure to remind them of your property ID #.)
• If you are unsuccessful in having a guest submit a review directly, perhaps they’ve sent you a “thank you” note or email after their stay. You can transcribe this feedback onto your listing, and it will appear as a “Homeowner Entered” review. Although not as credible or noticeable as guest-entered reviews, which include eye-catching, bright red star ratings, they are certainly more effective than having no reviews posted at all.
If you have the guest’s email address, you can use our feature to email your guest the text of their comments and ask their permission to post it as a review on your listing. All they must do is click “I agree,” and the review will be posted on your listing under their name.
Worried that some guests might write something critical in their review or suggest that you add something to your home that you don’t currently have? Keep in mind that the review form includes a separate field for vacationers’ suggestions and comments for the “homeowner’s eyes only.”
For a comprehensive look at our guest review policy and guidelines, features, and information about how to solicit guest reviews, submit an Owner Response, etc., please visit our Guest Reviews Help Page.
Is it ever too late to ask for a review?
It’s never too late to solicit a review! Ideally, of course, the sooner the better – while your guests’ vacation memories are still fresh. The more time that passes since their stay, the less apt they are to take the time to submit feedback – and the feedback is less likely to be descriptive.
Some owners request guest reviews while communicating the return of their guest’s security deposit. Your guests might be more amenable to writing a positive review knowing that their deposit is already on its way to them.
See our other advice regarding guest reviews:
