Why don't more people post villa reviews on Anthony's page?

dreamshark · Post by **dreamshark** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:56 pm

It's easy and fun (way easier than Trip Advisor, IMHO). You can even include a few pictures. I posted a review last October, and there are only 8 more reviews posted since then. Sad. It would be a great resource for villa-shoppers if more people used it.

hoosierdaddy · Post by **hoosierdaddy** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:50 pm

I remember trying to leave a review after our last trip15 months ago and having some difficulty. I couldn't remember what the problem was so I thought I would give it another try. This time it wouldn't take my username and password. I tried three different times and was told it was invalid. I logged off the forum and loged back in without any problem. Maybe thats why I didn't leave a review?

lark22 · Post by **lark22** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:22 pm

I just left a review -- I did find the registration process a bit clunky, but it wasn't too bad.

It would be fun to see if we could cover every single villa on the list -- like a scavenger hunt. I bet between all the forumites, we've stayed in every single villa. http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... s/st-john/

Maybe Anthony could do a giveaway contest -- a random drawing with one entry per review submitted before a certain date, just to get the site filled out a bit more? (with certain requirements so there wouldn't be lame junk entries, maybe).

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:13 pm

hoosier: you have to register for the villa review forum even if you're registered for VIOL (or you can leave a review anonymously.) That hung me up for a moment too until I went back and read Anthony's sticky post on villa reviews:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... =1&t=23545

ski2play · Post by **ski2play** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:24 pm

I agree whole heartedly. Will be adding a review to Villa Gin de Mer in late April after our stay.

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:01 pm

That's true and a good point...I did a review of sol inclination on vrbo and trip advisor so I will do one on Anthony's villa review list right now.

northerngal · Post by **northerngal** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:29 pm

YES!!!!! We need more reviews! If only to help us poor snowed in souls up in northern Michigan!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:03 pm

We've never stayed in a villa!

lisa mcg · Post by **lisa mcg** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:13 pm

If I can do it, anyone can!!!!! Just do it peeps

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:38 pm

hoosierdaddy wrote:I remember trying to leave a review after our last trip15 months ago and having some difficulty. I couldn't remember what the problem was so I thought I would give it another try. This time it wouldn't take my username and password. I tried three different times and was told it was invalid. I logged off the forum and loged back in without any problem. Maybe thats why I didn't leave a review?

You gotta pay attention to feedback like this...if it is hard for the users they shouldn't be expected to use it....make it EASY for the users!

Backtotheislands · Post by **Backtotheislands** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:04 pm

I have posted reviews, but I do find pictures difficult to post on here. I don't use a "photo service" online and it won't just take my pics. BUT, I do love this forum. Thanks, Anthony!

hoosierdaddy · Post by **hoosierdaddy** » Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:52 pm

So I need a different username and password. I can do that and will get a review up from our last trip in a few days. I will review our next villa In a few weeks.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:53 am

hoosierdaddy wrote:So I need a different username and password. I can do that and will get a review up from our last trip in a few days. I will review our next villa In a few weeks.

Your forum user name and password will work; they do need to be registered under "Not a member?" in Villa Reviews first.
Looking forward to your reviews... enjoy your return to St John!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:07 am

Minde: You can review a condo!

Post by **Anthony** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:11 am

Thanks for starting this thread - let me chime in:

I know we have not really got the new(er) system off the ground properly, for several reasons (mostly internal). We are committed to improving it however and making it more integrated with the site. Just a couple of points:

- You do have to register to use the review system. The registration is separate from the forum.(but it would be nice if you can choose the same user name if it is available) This is because we are using some legacy software here (phpBB) that just does not work well with the content management system used for the reviews. I can't bridge these systems. Maybe in the future that will change, but for now that is how it works.

- I do ask that you resize your photos before uploading. Again, this is mostly due to the fact that while the system makes a nice thumbnail, it doesn't resize on upload the original photo - and many people try to post images that are 4,000 pixels across and several MBs in size. Still not okay for usual web consumption, and increasingly bad for mobile devices.

- We will be integrating the reviews better into the site soon. Very soon. I know I probably have made the promise of updates so many times that no one believes me - but we are committed to improving the site as much as we can this year. We have a ton of content in place, and really want to expand our information in so many areas. It will happen!

- I also don't have all the villas in the system yet, but eventually we will. If the villa you want to review is not in the system, message me and I will ad it. If you look at a couple of pages you can see an example of where we will eventually be.

This is a villa review page with no added info:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... lla-ixora/

And this is a villa page with additional info (map, info, image, link):

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... lla-villa/

So what we basically want to do is a page like that for every villa, a complete villa map with links, etc. etc. I think we'll get there, especially with the help of everyone here! Thanks and please keep the comments coming -

usvi-on-line