Why Reviews Matter and How to Get More for your Outdoor Business

In the digital age, reviews are everything. Only 1% of travelers book a trip without checking reviews first (source)—and for smaller tour operators, this reality is even more critical. Reviews don’t just make your business look good; they’re key to building credibility, improving SEO, and driving bookings. Yet, many small operators struggle to gather a steady flow of reviews, making it difficult to stand out in a competitive market.

1. The Power of Reviews: Building Trust and Driving Bookings

A massive 83% of travelers consider reviews essential when booking a trip (source), particularly younger travelers who seek authentic, recent, and detailed feedback. And it’s not just about having high ratings—a large volume of reviews shows potential customers that your business is active and trustworthy. This is social proof at work: companies with hundreds of reviews are generally trusted more than those with just a few, even if the rating is slightly lower.

Company ABC has 500 reviews averaging 4.9 stars, and Company XYZ has 50 reviews at 4.9 stars, every single potential guest will trust the business with 500 reviews over 50. Reviews provide the social proof that drives bookings.

2. The Challenges of Building and Managing a Review Base

For smaller operators, the biggest hurdle isn’t providing a great tour—it’s getting visibility through reviews. Without a steady stream of fresh feedback, potential customers may hesitate to book. And with platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp, managing reviews across multiple sites can become time-consuming and complex.

Common Challenges Tour Operators Face

• Not getting enough reviews to provide a current snapshot of customer feedback
• Keeping reviews recent, as most travelers prefer feedback from the last 3 months
• Lacking the time and resources to monitor and respond across platforms

How OATS Can Help
OATS Marketing takes these challenges off your plate. We monitor and manage your reviews across all major platforms, allowing you to focus on creating unforgettable tours. We ensure that your reviews stay current and visible, making your business an attractive choice for potential customers.

3. Hands-On Steps to Get More Reviews

While OATS Marketing can handle the heavy lifting, there are still a few things you can do to encourage more reviews:

• Ask for Reviews Directly
  At the end of each tour, thank guests and let them know how much a review would help others find your business. A quick follow-up email with a direct link to your review platform is also effective.
• Make Reviewing Simple
  Use direct links or QR codes to your review pages, making it easy for customers to leave feedback immediately after the tour.
• Implement Physical Review Placards
  Using physical placards with a QR code to the site(s) you want reviews is a great way to capture your guests positive experience as they are departing your storefront, experience or wherever your business operates!
• Incentivize Feedback (without Buying Reviews)
  Offer small perks like discounts, branded items, or raffle entries to customers who leave reviews. This rewards the act of leaving a review without influencing its content.

4. How OATS Marketing Helps Tour Operators Boost Reviews and Manage Feedback

OATS Marketing is here to help solve the biggest review challenges that tour operators face. We guarantee a 50% increase in reviews for our clients, helping them establish a reliable and growing review base. Here’s how we do it:

• Deploying Agency Software
  We integrate software into your booking process that prompts guests to leave reviews after they’ve enjoyed their experience. By asking at the right moment, we increase the likelihood of receiving high-rated reviews.
• Review Monitoring Across Platforms
  We take care of review management across Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and other platforms, ensuring you never miss valuable customer feedback. This lets you focus on your tours rather than tracking feedback.
• Response Management
  We reply to positive and negative reviews on your behalf, keeping interactions professional and timely. Our responses to positive reviews acknowledge the guest’s feedback, while our approach to negative reviews protects your reputation by responding thoughtfully.
• Monthly Review Roll-Ups
  We send you regular summaries of all reviews, along with trends and insights you can act on. These reports help you stay informed about customer perceptions and identify areas for improvement.

With OATS Marketing’s comprehensive reputation management service, your reviews become a powerful asset that consistently builds trust and drives more bookings.

5. Why Consistency is Key in Reputation Management

Consistent reviews signal to potential customers that your business is active and thriving. By working with OATS Marketing, you can increase both the volume and average rating of your reviews, establishing a solid reputation over time.

Example of Success:
"One of our clients saw an increase from 3 new reviews per month to 12 after implementing our strategies, which boosted their visibility and booking rates."

Conclusion: Build Trust, Boost Bookings, and Let OATS Marketing Do the Work

A strong review presence builds trust, attracts bookings, and positions your brand as a top choice in the competitive travel market. By partnering with OATS Marketing, you’ll have the support to manage and grow your reputation, while you focus on delivering memorable tours.

If you’re ready to leverage reviews as a powerful marketing tool, OATS Marketing is here to make it happen. We’ll handle the reputation management so you can focus on what you do best: creating unforgettable experiences for your customers.

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