Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Tripadvisor shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Tripadvisor offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Tripadvisor at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Tripadvisor? Wrong! If the Tripadvisor is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Tripadvisor then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Tripadvisor? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Tripadvisor and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Tripadvisor wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Tripadvisor then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Tripadvisor site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Tripadvisor, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Tripadvisor, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
TripAdvisor.com is a free travel guide and research
website that offers reviews and information to help plan a
vacation.
Users research potential locales and attractions to visit, and hotels to book, primarily by browsing the thousands of reviews posted on the website each week by other travelers. TripAdvisor is an example of Consumer Generated Media.
Description
TripAdvisor.com is a travel information website, covering more than 270,000 hotels and attractions About TripAdvisor LLC,
2007-09-26 in over 30,000 destinations worldwide. It features hotel, attraction, and restaurant reviews written by travelers; a
wiki for users to provide facts and tips on destinations, similar in concept to a travel guidebook; "goLists", where users list what to see or what to do, somewhat like travel itineraries; interactive maps based on the Google Maps engine; and "TripAdvisor Forums", an active traveler message board area. Each of these are described under "Major products" below.
With more than 10 million reviews and opinions TripAdvisor home page, 2007-09-26 and nearly 30 million unique visitors a month, TripAdvisor is also the largest travel community on the web. About TripAdvisor LLC, 2007-09-26
The site has been criticised for allowing users to publish fraudulent reviews. In response, they claim that all reviews are moderated by their staff, and they have algorithms to detect abuse. 'We're clean' pledges Tripadvisor, The Times, 2007-05-23
History
TripAdvisor was founded in February 2000, and was purchased by
InterActive Corporation in 2004. Original financing was obtained from Flagship Ventures, the Bollard Group, and private investors. TripAdvisor is now part of the
Expedia family of travel companies.
Business model
TripAdvisor, free to consumers, is supported by an advertising model. Clients include most major online travel agencies, including
Expedia,
Hotels.com, Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline,
Travelocity and many travel suppliers, such as InterContinental,
Hyatt, and American Airlines.
Major products
- Hotel/Attraction/Restaurant reviews: In many ways the foundation of TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor has reviews and opinions on over 270,000 hotels, attractions, and restaurants. The hotel, restaurant, and attraction rankings found throughout the site are based largely on these reviews.
- Travel wiki: A wiki (based on a clusterized version of XWiki) in which users can add information on destinations as a way to aid potential visitors. Topics include transportation, activities and dining guides.
- goLists: Lists of places and activities compiled by users and usually on travel "themes", e.g.,, ten must-see attractions, stops on a walking tour, or ideas for a rainy day.
- TripAdvisor Forums: Message boards where travelers ask and answer thousands of destination and interest based travel-related questions every day. There are forums for individual destinations, air travel, cruising, and family travel.
- Other resources: Links to additional travel information and reviews available on other websites (e.g., newspaper, magazine, and travel guidebook websites).
Impact on the hotel industry
A 2007 survey of the hotel and restaurant industry in EuropeLoudhouse Research,
The American Express Hospitality Monitor, 2007 concluded that 80% of UK consumers are now researching online before booking a hotel and that half of them said they have refrained from booking a hotel as a direct result of a negative review on websites such as TripAdvisor.
In Popular Culture
Australian comedy
Kath and Kim referenced the user reviews from TripAdvisor of a hotel they were visiting in the first episode of the fourth season.
In the NBC series,
The Office, Dwight describes TripAdvisor as the "life blood of the agro-tourism industry."
External links
- TripAdvisor, (USA)
- TripAdvisor.co.uk, (UK)
- TripAdvisor.ie, (Ireland)
References
TripAdvisor.com is a free travel guide and research
website that offers reviews and information to help plan a
vacation.
Users research potential locales and attractions to visit, and hotels to book, primarily by browsing the thousands of reviews posted on the website each week by other travelers. TripAdvisor is an example of Consumer Generated Media.
Description
TripAdvisor.com is a travel information website, covering more than 270,000 hotels and attractions About TripAdvisor LLC, 2007-09-26 in over 30,000 destinations worldwide. It features hotel, attraction, and restaurant reviews written by travelers; a
wiki for users to provide facts and tips on destinations, similar in concept to a travel guidebook; "goLists", where users list what to see or what to do, somewhat like travel itineraries; interactive maps based on the
Google Maps engine; and "TripAdvisor Forums", an active traveler message board area. Each of these are described under "Major products" below.
With more than 10 million reviews and opinions TripAdvisor home page,
2007-09-26 and nearly 30 million unique visitors a month, TripAdvisor is also the largest travel community on the web. About TripAdvisor LLC, 2007-09-26
The site has been criticised for allowing users to publish fraudulent reviews. In response, they claim that all reviews are moderated by their staff, and they have algorithms to detect abuse. 'We're clean' pledges Tripadvisor,
The Times,
2007-05-23
History
TripAdvisor was founded in February 2000, and was purchased by InterActive Corporation in 2004. Original financing was obtained from Flagship Ventures, the Bollard Group, and private investors. TripAdvisor is now part of the
Expedia family of travel companies.
Business model
TripAdvisor, free to consumers, is supported by an advertising model. Clients include most major online travel agencies, including Expedia,
Hotels.com, Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, Travelocity and many travel suppliers, such as
InterContinental, Hyatt, and American Airlines.
Major products
- Hotel/Attraction/Restaurant reviews: In many ways the foundation of TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor has reviews and opinions on over 270,000 hotels, attractions, and restaurants. The hotel, restaurant, and attraction rankings found throughout the site are based largely on these reviews.
- Travel wiki: A wiki (based on a clusterized version of XWiki) in which users can add information on destinations as a way to aid potential visitors. Topics include transportation, activities and dining guides.
- goLists: Lists of places and activities compiled by users and usually on travel "themes", e.g.,, ten must-see attractions, stops on a walking tour, or ideas for a rainy day.
- TripAdvisor Forums: Message boards where travelers ask and answer thousands of destination and interest based travel-related questions every day. There are forums for individual destinations, air travel, cruising, and family travel.
- Other resources: Links to additional travel information and reviews available on other websites (e.g., newspaper, magazine, and travel guidebook websites).
Impact on the hotel industry
A 2007 survey of the hotel and restaurant industry in EuropeLoudhouse Research,
The American Express Hospitality Monitor, 2007 concluded that 80% of UK consumers are now researching online before booking a hotel and that half of them said they have refrained from booking a hotel as a direct result of a negative review on websites such as TripAdvisor.
In Popular Culture
Australian comedy Kath and Kim referenced the user reviews from TripAdvisor of a hotel they were visiting in the first episode of the fourth season.
In the NBC series, The Office, Dwight describes TripAdvisor as the "life blood of the agro-tourism industry."
External links
- TripAdvisor, (USA)
- TripAdvisor.co.uk, (UK)
- TripAdvisor.ie, (Ireland)
References
