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#Post#: 1080--------------------------------------------------
Is TA still relevant?
DIR By: Arks
Date: June 25, 2026, 8:15 am
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We used to obsess about Trip Advisor reviews as being of major
importance.
I stopped asking for reviews long ago because I knew people were
tired of being asked to review everything in their lives. So,
for years, any reviews I receive are just if a guest wants to do
it without being asked.
I was just looking at the number of reviews I've received over
the years. I think TA was waning even before COVID. Here are my
stats:
Year Reviews
2013 5
2014 3
2015 11
2016 11
2017 8
2018 6
2019 2
2020 0
2021 0
2022 2
2023 2
2024 1
2025 1
2026 0
#Post#: 1081--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is TA still relevant?
DIR By: JimBoone
Date: June 25, 2026, 8:55 am
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Is TA important? Yes, but times have changed and TA has changed.
Reviews in general, I think business and hospitality pay more
attention to reviews than in the past, I suppose it is a good
thing that everyone tries harder.
TA, initially, I thought it did wonders for me. It began as a
true review site, and it helped a tiny mom and pop when we
showed up near the top of the list.
Just my opinion, but today it seems more and advertising site,
you pay for sponsored placement on the list, or you rank on
"best value" whatever that means and I buried at the bottom of
the list. You have to dig around and change the setting each
time to find the list of ranking by guests and I'm still not
sure that means much, again just my personal opinion.
#Post#: 1082--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is TA still relevant?
DIR By: gillumhouse
Date: June 25, 2026, 2:07 pm
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When Trip started the sidebar of pay for this... I stopped
looking at it as relevant. It became another pay to play and I
was not playing that game. I do have links in my Thank You
letter the send to arrive on a Wednesday after they leave -
links to Google Business and FB. I do not bother with Trip. and
it is stated IF you would like to...... I had 2 (TWO) glowing
comments left in the comment book in the room last week. I aree,
people do not like to leave reviews these days I do not like to
do them myself.
I am still recovering from a 7-night stretch of guests WVERY
NIGHT! Had a couple days of no guests so all the other things I
am involved with chimed in... A 3-night comes in tonight and as
of now will close out this Quarter.
I started giving the pint jar of coffee to any 2 or more
consecutive night reservations last week. Will continue that
through July to mark our 30-year anniversary. (July 1 is our big
Independence celebration in Shinnston & we will repeat the
Concert about 25 miles from here on July 16. HUGE Fireworks July
1!)
#Post#: 1083--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is TA still relevant?
DIR By: Arks
Date: June 26, 2026, 6:03 am
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--- Quote from: gillumhouse link ---
>
> Will continue that through July to mark our 30-year
anniversary.
--- End Quote ---
Congratulations! Thirty years in the business is a great, and
rare, accomplishment. Think of all the great innkeepers we knew
who didn't last near that long!
#Post#: 1084--------------------------------------------------
Re: Is TA still relevant?
DIR By: gillumhouse
Date: June 26, 2026, 2:18 pm
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Thank you. One thing that kept me here was the requirement to
De-Kathleen the Owner's Quarters. Decided the kids can hire
dumpsters. I acknowledge that the reason the B & B side of the
house looks great is because I do not live there. (Long ago a
former boyfriend told me I was a pilot. Huh? Yes, pile it here
and pile it there, any flat surface will do.)
I actually DO love what I do. I get to introduce people from all
over the world to West Virginia and even better, to show them
what CAN be done in a small city (we are now up to a population
of slightly over 2600!) when people work together and are
supportive. In May, the citizens once again , by a comfortable
margin, voted to renew an excess levy that is 80% streets
(paving) & sidewalks and 20% Parks & Recreation.
Had a request Wednesday from my Thursday arrival asking if she
could pay for a birthday cake for her husband. told her had she
mentioned that when booking, it would have been a given - I made
a loaf cake - Tomato Soup Cake (a spice cake with chocolate
icing) that was one of Mom's recipes I remember from growing up
and have made many times. They loved it (not the usual boring
white or chocolate cake). things like that keep this an
interesting profession. (And the comments I got from two guests
(back to back in different rooms so the second was not
influenced by the first one's comments) last week inflated my
head and ego tremendously!)
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