The Advantages (and Dangers) of Online Reviews

 

Online reviews can be a great source of advertising. Positive reviews can prompt people to visit your website or call to use your services. Negative reviews, on the other hand, will produce no calls and can potentially damage your reputation.

 

In today’s environment, fewer word-of-mouth referrals are being made by phone and more people are leaving online reviews. Reading online reviews is one of the first actions people take when researching a business or service. In fact, about 95% of customers read reviews before making a purchase.

 

Positive Reviews

While there are several review sites on the web, Google is the largest online reviewer and carries more weight than the others. Positive Google reviews demonstrate a customers’ confidence and trust in your business. 54% of consumers visit a local business’ website after reading a positive review. People also trust Google reviews more than reviews seen on your website.

 

So it would be wise to have good reviews available online. Be sure to ask every satisfied customer for a review. Onsite Installer has a great article Reach New Customers Through Quality Online Reviews explaining how to ask for- and build positive Google reviews.

 

Once your business gets reviews, respond with a “thank you”. This will show others that you value their input.

 

Negative Reviews

Unfortunately, people are more apt to leave negative reviews than positive. It is a way for them to vent their frustrations and retaliate about something they feel went wrong.

 

You can answer their reviews, and you should, as quickly as possible. Negative reviews can be damaging. So your response is your opportunity to address the situation for them. Remember, thousands of other readers will be influenced by this as well! 94% of consumers say negative reviews have convinced them to avoid calling a business!

 

Not sure how to respond to a negative review? It’s tricky. There’s a right way and a wrong way. TrustPulse does a good job explaining with 13 Ways to Respond to Negative Reviews.

 

People want to feel confident that you are the right company for the job. The most effective way to persuade them is through positive online reviews.

 

If you’re interested, Google can walk you through the review process and explain how to manage your reviews.

 

 

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The material on this page is presented by Webtrol, Weber Industries, Inc., for general information purposes only and not intended as a basis for making any business, legal, or other decisions. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk.