With the internet’s popularity, very few things shape purchasing decisions more than online reviews. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling a service or a tangible product; online reviews are the modern-day equivalent of the ever-so-important word of mouth. These simple bits of text, however, are weighty words that can make or break a business’s reputation.
If you’re here, chances are you’re looking online about how to boost online reviews successfully, and you’ve come to the right place! We’ve pulled together some of the best tips to share with you.
There are two aspects of online reviews critical for a business. Obviously, positive feedback comes in as number one, but you also want to get as many customers to review your business as possible. After all, a hundred glowing online reviews look more promising than a handful.
Great Ways to Boost Online Reviews from Customers
Set up business profiles on multiple review sites
First off, you need to have a place, or places, where customers can leave their feedback. Having customer reviews on your website is helpful, but many potential customers may take those with a grain of salt. You’re better off setting up business profiles on unaffiliated third-party sites relevant to your business.
Consider all the review sites relevant to your business: Google, Yelp, Angie, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Trustpilot, FourSquare, Facebook, Manta, and even the Better Business Bureau. As I mentioned, your goal is to get as many customer reviews as possible. The more places a customer can leave their opinion, the greater the chance you’ll boost online reviews.
Give customers a great experience
Unsurprisingly, your customers’ experience is pivotal to both the quality and number of reviews you’ll receive.
When absolutely blown away by your service or product, they’ll be likelier to talk about their experience and leave a positive review. If they feel their experience was lackluster or simply “meh,” they won’t go out of their way to say anything.
Therefore, a key to generating better reviews is to exceed customers’ expectations with phenomenal customer service from all of your employees.
Verbally ask for online reviews
Ask, and you shall receive! Well, it isn’t quite that simple, and there isn’t a guarantee, unfortunately. However, if you ask your customers to leave an online review, they’ll be more apt to jump on their smartphone or laptop and leave one.
Teach your employees during training to mention to customers how much an honest online review would be appreciated. This works incredibly well for service-based, on-site businesses like landscaping. When you or the employee goes to the door to hand the customer an invoice, politely ask them to drop a review for the business on your preferred business review site(s).
It sounds simple, but it’s another great way to boost online reviews!
Put reminders on your website and invoices
You’ll have better odds of landing more reviews the easier you make it for customers to leave one. It sounds like such an obvious tactic, but many businesses don’t try to simplify the review writing process.
Customers like it when things are easy and laid out for them. So, make it as straightforward as possible for them to leave valuable feedback.
To do this, use pop-ups on the website and digital invoices that lead them to your Google Business Profile or Yelp review page. All they have to do is hit the call-to-action button and they’re whisked right to the submission form.
Always respond to every review
The last tip to boost online reviews is always to respond when a customer takes the time to leave a review of your business. Avoid sounding robotic; if you’re busy, a simple “thank you” will suffice and make customers feel appreciated for their effort. Which, in turn, encourages them to continue using your business. Try, though, to respond with a personalized, uniquely worded message.
When people look through your reviews and see that you respond to every remark, it gives them the impression that you care about consumer sentiment.
You also need to respond to negative reviews. While no business owner likes to read or hear negative comments, they do have worth. They help make your brand appear more authentic. If every review was chipper, gushing praises, people would begin doubting their authenticity.
When responding to negative online reviews:
- Respond as soon as possible
- Take ownership and acknowledge your mistake
- Courteously explain your point of view
- Script a meaningful, personalized apology, even if you don’t think you’re at fault
- Immediately offer compensation or resolution, i.e., a refund or voucher
- Request to discuss the matter offline if it seems to be getting heated
Bad reviews can be an excellent opportunity to improve your business and show existing and future customers that you care about customer satisfaction.
Interested in how Ready Business Systems can help you?
For more information about the services Ready Business Systems offers and how we can effectively help grow your business, call us at 1-800-485-1404 or visit our Contact page.
