Raving Business Reviews: How to Get Them & Why They Matter
Let’s admit it — we’ve all scrolled deep into the depths of Yelp, Facebook, Google, and other popular business review sites to get the scoop on a product, service, or company. The reason? Reviews do a stellar job at revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly — without a Clint Eastwood cosign. A recent study even shows that 88 percent of consumers trust online reviews written by other consumers the same as they trust recommendations from their personal contacts. Ya hear that, ma?
In this post, we’ll discuss the three ways to help earn your business a five-star review, maintain it, and turn new leads into customers.
ASK AWAY, RIGHT AWAY
You know what they say — you don’t get what you don’t ask for. While there are a plethora of ways you can gather customer feedback, the most genuine way is to casually ask them in-person, following a positive brand engagement. Don’t ask via email weeks after an interaction, instead, encourage them to do it while it’s still at the top of their mind.
RESPOND TO ALL REVIEWS
Yup, that’s right — even the negative ones. Customer experience is important, so make it a priority to sincerely thank folks who took time out of their day to provide any sort of feedback. After all, they’re helping you learn about your business. As Bill Gates once said, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” By responding, you let them know they’re heard and you take them seriously. Plus, it’s an easy way to build your relationships and it shows future customers who are reading reviews exactly what kind of business you are.
BE A FORCE IN YOUR INDUSTRY
When consumers are comparing you to competitors, reviews play a huge factor. Ultimately, you want to become the go-to for your services and the more reviews, the more you increase SEO. For instance, if your business is Jacoby’s Burger Shack and you receive great food reviews, Google will bump up your website when someone searches “good burgers near me.” And we all want that top spot!
Hungry for more review tips? Research shows working with a brand communications agency can help you navigate all sorts of reviews and better connect with your customers. Get in touch with Madison+Main to find the answers your business is looking for by calling the office today at (877) 623-6246! #BoldBrandsWin