Why Online Reviews Matter to Your Business And 5 Ways To Improve Them
We listen to the opinions of others
Are you the owner of a small business and you’re struggling with online marketing? Do you sometimes wonder if it’s worth the trouble to get online reviews?
In the US, over 90 percent of online shoppers said a poor online review helped them decide not to buy from that company. That’s a great reason to work on improving your social media presence.
Customer reviews are an important part of your marketing plan. Here are some ways to improve your online reviews.
Why Online Reviews Matter
Reviews help us make decisions. If you have a steady stream of good reviews, your business is going to give a customer a positive impression.
Search engines value fresh content and reviews can feed the algorithm. If the content machine picks your website, you’ll want the reviews to be positive.
Social proof has a positive impact on sales
You can expand your reach if a customer likes your product or service. People who have good things to say are more likely to share their views in their own social media circles.
Online reviews are trusted by potential customers. We know it takes a bit of time to post a review and that makes us value them, and trust the reviewer’s opinion.
You can talk to your customers.
Fresh content feeds the algorithm and reviews are original and fresh content.
How To Improve Your Online Reviews
1. Ask for reviews
When someone purchases your product or service, follow up with a quick email and ask them about their experience. When you make it easy for them to give a review, you’ll get more responses.
Be sure to follow up right after the sale as that’s the best time to get a response. The customer is still thinking about their experience and will be more likely to post a review.
Encourage honest feedback, but don’t try to manufacture reviews. Most sites frown on that practice and your customers will know the difference.
2. Track Your Reviews
Regularly check your reviews on your website and on Google reviews. Most people use the overall review rating to make decisions.
Use social listening tools such as Google Alerts or Mention.com to track social media conversations about your business.
3. Respond To Reviews
Good or bad, you asked for their review, so treat each one with importance.
When you receive a negative review, respond in a way that shows you care. Acknowledge the issues the person experienced with your product or service. Be open to their feedback and offer to work with them to resolve the problem.
Here’s a great template to use when responding to a negative review:
“Thank you for letting us know about this. Your feedback helps us do better. We are looking into this issue and hope to resolve it promptly and accurately.” Source: ReviewTrackers.com
Respond to positive reviews. Thank them for their review and use the opportunity to engage them further by asking questions. Reinforce a positive review with a link to a promotion or sale.
4. Give Rewards
I’m not saying it’s ok to offer a reward for an online review. That’s not a good idea. But you can thank someone for their review and send them a code for a discount on their next order. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness.
5. Feature Your Reviews
Make your reviews visible on your site to help new customers make their decision. It’s also a way to remind past customers to leave a review if they haven’t already.
Participate on sites that review businesses similar to yours. If you have a restaurant, be sure to check your online presence on Trip Advisor and Yelp. Display badges from review sites to remind people to leave a review there.
Find the sites your customers frequent and ask the right questions.
Support Reviews and They Will Support Your Business
When you understand how a positive online review can impact your business, you’ll do the work to improve your customer’s experience. By encouraging positive conversations about your company, you’ll take your business to the next level.
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Keywords: marketing plan, online review, customer service, positive experience
