If You Think Online Reviews For Businesses Don’t Matter - Think Again
I have a confession to make. I used to be someone who NEVER read online reviews for businesses. I was young and silly and figured, “Eh, how bad could it be?” Well, let me tell you. I ended up experiencing some pretty terrible unpleasantries, all of which could have been avoided had I taken the time to read the reviews. It wasn’t until I started working for a boutique fitness studio that I realized the massive importance of online reviews for businesses.
We, as a studio, had spent all of this money on hiring a search engine optimization (SEO) company. The goal we had in mind was simple- to have our website appear when people search for what we do.
It sounded easy enough, yet despite utilizing the SEO company, the number of clicks to our website didn’t increase.
The owners expressed their frustration in a meeting when another employee said something that suddenly made everything crystal clear.
He said that when he searches for local businesses, he always starts with the one with the best reviews. It was like a light went on.
After doing a little research, we discovered that we had only a fraction of the reviews that our competitors had.
It would have been nice if our SEO provider had pointed out that being “found” by a search engine is only half of the equation. Being chosen is the other half. Instead, our SEO investment was pointing people to the competition because they already had reviews!
Why Online Reviews For Businesses Are Crucial
For any business offering services or products to the public, customer satisfaction is essential for success. Demonstrating to potential customers that your company is committed to providing the best service possible is another great way to set yourself apart from the competition and build trust.
One of the most powerful tools for demonstrating customer satisfaction is customer reviews.
Reviews from existing customers provide potential customers with an insight into the experiences of using your company and can be a competitive advantage for businesses. Understandably, potential customers want to see genuine customer reviews before using a company.
Here are some ways in which online reviews for businesses can be beneficial:
Those online reviews for businesses sound pretty worthwhile, right? It is imperative to have online reviews so potential customers can find you, see what you’re about, and know they’ll be in good hands.
But how, as a business, do you go about getting these reviews from your clients? Keep reading to discover some easy-peasy ways to boost your business’s online reviews.
The Trick To Getting Online Reviews For Business
Now that you know the why behind online reviews for your business, it’s time to learn how.
Here are 4 ways that have been tested by us that have garnered a ton of new reviews.
- 1Ask - Often getting a review is as simple as asking. As long as the process is clear and you make it fast and easy to do, you’re likely to get warm responses to your request. (P.S. We discovered that a lot of our clients were super happy to leave a review, even though we assumed it might be a bother to them!)
- 2Get specific - Ask a specific question instead of asking for a general review. Something like;
a. What have you achieved since using [your product or service]?
b. What’s the #1 reason you’d recommend [your product or service] to a friend?
c. What would you tell someone who is considering [your product or service]? - 3Make it easy - Make the process of leaving a review as easy as possible for your customers. Ideally you should provide them with a link that brings them directly to where they write their review.
- 4Be prompt - Encourage your customers to share their thoughts soon after their experience while the details are still top of mind! (BTW, we have some awesome email templates you can use!)
So there you have it- a better understanding about why online reviews for businesses are so monumentally important. This is especially true if you are a business owner yourself!
You have your beloved clientele who know how wonderful your business is - now let them go and tell everyone else just how awesome you are! It will really make a huge difference in how your business is viewed.