Click, Read, Decide: The Secret Power of Online Reviews

Since the birth of online shopping, reviews have become increasingly important when it comes to helping customers make informed decisions. Not only do those stupid little stars give valuable feedback from other shoppers, but they also help businesses build a reputable presence on the internet.

In this article, I reveal just how big of an impact online reviews have on our everyday decisions and reveal how businesses can leverage this superpower to increase their authority in their industry.

Are Online Reviews Controlling Our Minds?

Well… kind of. Since the rise of digital technology, online reviews have become a major factor when it comes to a consumer’s purchasing decision. According to recent research studies, an astonishing 97% or more of people say that they trust online customer ratings just like a recommendation from a friend or family member… and they use that information before deciding whether to buy or frequent a business. That includes YOUR business. Reviews provide potential consumers the opportunity to read about past experiences of other people who have pioneered ahead and purchased items or services that they may be interested in. When presented with two similar choices in terms of features and pricing; people often turn to the reviews before making a final decision.

Reviews also allow companies valuable insight into what customers think of their services/goods; feedback which can then used by businesses towards improving customer satisfaction over time! Clearly there’s no denying that reviews do play quite an important role here when it comes down purchasing things online today..

Reviews Make Your Business Better!

Building an online reputation is a key part of the success in today’s digital age and customer feedback can be incredibly influential. Online reviews are one great way to gain insight into what people really think about your business, product or services. These days customers don’t totally rely on word-of-mouth as they used to – instead more often than not their decisions are based on data from other customers’ opinions that have been shared via ratings & reviews online.

As a business owner, taking the time to actually read customer feedback can be extremely beneficial for that business. Reviews deliver priceless insight into what people really think about the business, both good and bad… and if approached with an open mind, can reveal issues in a product or service that truly needs attention. By implementing some of these suggestions, you can enhance overall customer experience and grow trust with existing customers, plus any potential ones. Companies who act swiftly on any issues raised, show that customer reviews are taken seriously. An act that is highly valued by consumers.

Reviews Help with SEO

Collecting a steady stream of online customer reviews is crucial for boosting the organic SEO listing of a business on search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, and more. Since search engines consider valuable user-generated content that when determining the relevance and credibility of a business, customer reviews provide a better user experience, thus, leading to higher search engine rankings.

Additionally, when customers leave reviews, their review often includes relevant keywords that are related to the business, further enhancing the business’s visibility in search engine results. By actively encouraging and managing customer reviews, businesses can establish a strong online presence and increase their chances of appearing prominently in search engine listings.

Collecting More Online Reviews is Easy

Collecting reviews is not as hard as you may think… and best of all, it’s completely free. There are just a few steps to handle before you start boosting your reputation.

1. Claim your Business Profiles: You need to create and/or claim your business profiles on popular review websites such as Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, and any additional industry-specific platforms like TripAdvisor, TrustPilot, Amazon, Zillow, etc. This will give you control over your business information and how its presented to the world, including your online reviews.
2. Ask for Reviews: Don’t be afraid to ask your satisfied customers to leave a review. You can do this in person at the conclusion of a transaction, through email follow-ups, social media posts, or by including a review request on your countertops, website, invoices, etc.
3. Make it Easy: Each business review site has a direct links review your business. Find this link and place it in emails and QR codes. By doing this, you simplify the process by guiding customers through the steps required to leave a review instead of leaving them to try and navigate where to go. Nobody has time for that.
4. Monitor and Respond to Reviews: Engage with your customers by responding to their reviews, both positive and negative. Show appreciation for positive feedback and address any concerns or issues raised in negative reviews. Every review is a chance to learn more about your business and how to make it better. Listen to your customers!
5. Offer Incentives: While generally frowned upon, you can opt to offer discounts or freebies to customers who leave a review. Just make sure to comply with the guidelines of each review platform and always ask for an honest review, never ask specifically for a positive one.

See… totally free! However, building a strong online reputation will take time and effort. Encourage honest and genuine reviews from your customers, and always strive to provide exceptional products or services and the rest will fall into place.

Wrapping Up

Since we all do this (yes… even you), wouldn’t it be beneficial to understand how to influence consumer behavior and nudge them in the right direction (toward your business) with online reviews? If you’re looking to maximize profits through digital marketing, you need to employ services like Reputation Management.

If you don’t have the time or desire to deal with your online reputation, don’t feel bad. It’s totally understandable because you have a business to run… and that’s where I come in. I have decades of experience in digital marketing and have amazing technology that will automate your online review collection and reputation. Reputation management is by far the best bang for your buck when it comes to digital marketing for your business. If you have any questions or would like to learn how I can help boost your online reputation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you for reading and best of luck on your business journey!