Trust is a big component of business, but gaining it is tough. Keeping it is even tougher. But it’s worth the extra effort to earn, keep and foster that trust so you can experience a better bottom line later.
Check out the stats: about 88 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. The average person places their faith in reviews they spot online about a company just as much as they place value on word of mouth reviews from friends. How do you achieve that level of trust? It all has to do with the quality of your online reviews, how to snag them, how to best show them off and how to address negative reviews when they do pop up.
Protecting your brand isn’t easy; it takes a lot of energy and patience. On top of building brand awareness and protecting your online reputation, you also have to handle negative content right away to your advantage. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through online reviews.
Check out these tips to snagging the online reviews that will most accurately represent your company.
1. ASK
Ask all new clients for a quick review – emphasize “quick” so they don’t feel like they are tasked with a time-consuming job. The last thing you want to do is scare them off. Tell them it can be quick, simple and to the point.
2. Train Your Staff to ASK
The more people you have on your side that are asking for reviews, the better. Tell your employees exactly what to say so they can help build the business and gain positive reviews in the process.
3. Make Visible Signs
Perch business cards on your front deck that list your review sites. You can also place posters on the wall, put up an 8 1/2x 11 inch stand by the reception area, etc. Just make sure whatever you do, it’s in the customer’s face to keep it fresh.
4. Cherry Pick Top Customers
Choose the right people to give you a review: basically anyone you know well and that you are confident will offer a glowing review based on the value you have given them in the past. These can include friends, family, treasured clients, etc.: anyone who is consistently happy with your offerings and who wouldn’t mind doing you a favor by writing a review.
However, keep in mind that just because you ask for a review doesn’t mean they will automatically comply. Make it as easy as possible by giving them a link to your Google, Yelp and Facebook pages. They should be encouraged to do it quickly so they don’t forget. Offer an incentive if need be.
5. Put Your Review Sites on Receipts
Give your customers an additional opportunity to leave a review – right at the point of sale. Any positive outcomes will ensure you get even more customers on your side.
6. Make Things Clear
Put a page on your website called “Reviews” so your customers can easily get to it. They shouldn’t have to search for it. Giving your customers several access points for writing reviews can only help you.
7. Use an All in One Platform
Boost Reviews is one such platform. We offer an easy way to increase every aspect of your company’s online reputation all in one place, bringing your online reviews, business listings and social media platforms in one resource so you can view, manage and improve them.
Online reviews work, provided you can do it right. Forbes points out these helpful nuggets:
- Every one-star increase on a Yelp rating equals a five- to nine-percent increase in revenue.
- 82 percent of Yelp users say they visit that site because they want to buy a product or service.
- 74 percent of people say positive reviews make them trust local businesses more.
- 90 percent of consumers view online reviews prior to visiting a business.
- Online reviews impact nearly 70 percent of purchasing decisions.
Contact Boost Reviews
If all this sound good but you’re still unsure of where to start, let Boost Reviews help you achieve the coveted five-star rating to increase positive visibility.
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