Online reviews are becoming increasingly important to consumers, who often rely on them to make purchasing decisions. Today, consumers turn to online reviews more than ever.
What is it about online reviews that makes them so valuable to your business?
Keep reading to learn more about online reviews, and subscribe to Revenue Weekly for more marketing tips!
7 Benefits of Online Reviews
Online reviews are an essential part of any online business since they are an extension of word-of-mouth marketing. They help customers better decide where to spend their money while helping organizations increase their visibility and credibility. Below you can find seven advantages of online reviews.
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Increase Traffic
Online reviews positively impact search engine optimization (SEO), especially local SEO. If you have a good number of online reviews, your website’s visibility will likely increase on search engine results pages (SERPs). This activity can lead to more customers discovering your site and services, increasing the chance of getting more online reviews and even higher SEO rankings. -
Reinforce Credibility
Reviews reinforce your company’s credibility by proving others’ faith in your business. Positive reviews can encourage people to try out your products or services for the first time, while negative ones can act as a warning that something needs to be improved. -
Boost Customer Confidence
Positive online reviews can boost customer confidence in your brand and reassure your audience that they’re dealing with a reputable company. By reading what other customers have said about the product or service, they’ll know whether it will meet their needs or expectations. -
Help Customers Find Your Company
Online reviews help companies in saturated niches or spaces with similar offerings. If only one business has good reviews, people will naturally gravitate toward them. When customers read online reviews, they learn what other people consider the best option and compare those results with their needs. They can find their ideal product without having to try multiple options on their own. -
Improve Products and Services
All reviews are valuable — even negative ones. Online reviews provide necessary feedback about what customers like — and don’t like — about your business. You can use that insight to create a better experience for future customers. -
Increase Customer Loyalty
Customers who feel respected and appreciated by a business are more likely to recommend them to their friends and family. This boost in word-of-mouth advertising can help grow your business over time. You can also create lasting relationships with your customers by investing in them. -
Support Other Marketing Efforts
Online review and reputation management can stretch your marketing budget. Whether you advertise online through social media, pay-per-click ads, or sponsorships, your reviews impact your conversions. If a customer is looking at your business and thinking about spending their hard-earned money on your products and services, they want to make sure they can trust your company. Properly managing your online reviews ensures your marketing funds are as effective as possible.
3 Surprising Facts About Online Reviews
Online reviews can be a great way to get customer feedback and improve your service if you’re a business owner. Below are some facts that you might not have known about online reviews.
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93% of People Read Reviews Before They Shop at a Business
Since 93% of customers read online reviews before deciding to purchase, it’s safe to assume your current reviews are either drawing business or pushing it away. Think about the process of choosing a restaurant. As a consumer, would you rather eat at an establishment with a three-star average or five stars? Now think about choosing a film to see. Would you prefer a movie with a two-star rating or one with four stars? We all make decisions based on reviews for more than restaurants and movies — we use them for everything we buy, from clothes to cars to services. -
81% of People Start Their Research with Google Reviews
Most consumers stay relatively busy. Many prefer to use a search engine to find online reviews instead of digging through individual websites one by one. A recent survey shows that 81% of people begin researching with Google reviews, making this platform vital to most businesses. Online reviews on Google can reach hundreds or thousands of potential customers, opening considerable opportunities. -
Customers Will Avoid a Business If There Are Negative Reviews
94% of people say online reviews convinced them not to choose a business. While you can’t help negative reviews, you can choose how you react to them. If you have negative reviews, respond to them promptly and acknowledge the customer’s feelings. That way, people will know that you care about customers’ input!
What Are the Most Popular Online Review Platforms?
Many consider Facebook, Yelp, and Google as the pillars of online review hosting. However, other consumer review sites might work best for your needs. Try finding where your target audience prefers to write or read reviews and focus on improving your online presence there.
Managing Your Online Reviews
Online reviews are one of the most powerful marketing tools available to businesses of all sizes. Companies can maximize their chances of further success by taking steps to manage and respond to reviews.