Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Care About Online Reviews
People are turning to the Internet before deciding which restaurant to go to or before purchasing a product. Long gone are the days where we just happen to purchase a new product solely on brand trust. Sites such as Yelp, Amazon, TripAdvisor, and Google+ are providing your customers with the ability to leave reviews for other customers. So word-of-mouth is still a powerful marketing tool that you should take advantage of.
1. Positive Reviews Encourage Customers’ Purchasing Decisions
Offer incentives for your customers to leave positive reviews online and then take the time to thank them for taking time out of their day to post the review. It is easier to get customers to leave a negative review than a positive one, so show your appreciation with a simple message that lets the customer know that you value their input. Doing this is a great way to establish good relationships with your current customers.
2. Give your Business an Opportunity to Shine
A consumer is more likely to jump online and search for your business/product before making a purchase than not. If there is little to no online presence, customers will just move on and try the next place. Online reviews offer customers the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of a business before spending their money. Reach out to potential customers by building up positive reviews which highlight various aspects of your business!
3. Online Reviews provide SEO Benefits
Reviews can influence your local search results within Google and that is reason enough to care about online reviews! Adding user-generated content onto your social media resources, like Google+, gives you a great way to have fresh, new content. Google rewards businesses with rankings in local searches as a quality site.
4. Turn Your Negative Reviews into Positives
Don’t ignore them; negative reviews are a great way to receive feedback on what your business is currently lacking. Use this as an opportunity to make your business shine, thank the customer for bringing this to your attention, and ask for input on how to better address the situation. Most customers won’t write you off because of one negative comment; however, most customers will notice your reaction towards those negative comments.
The Internet is not going anywhere. No matter what your business is, maintaining an online presence is key. Take control of your online presence and engage with your customers. Prompt them to leave good reviews, if at all possible. If you do happen to have that one bad review, there are simple ways to handle those bad reviews and turn them into a positive one.
To find out more about how to manage your business’ reputation, please contact us. We can help!