How important are online reviews?

Think about it…when was the last time you read a review? Most consumers are browsing through reviews on a weekly basis and they aren’t just looking for a five star rating. Reviews are extremely influential to consumers actively searching for the best of the best. In an increasingly competitive market it is important to recognize the value of reviews and use them to your business’s advantage. 

Reviews build customer trust

Customer reviews are the most effective way to build trust and loyalty. The online marketplace can be overwhelming to consumers but reviews are an excellent tool for increasing consumer confidence. Consumers trust online reviews as much as they trust a personal recommendation from a friend. Maintaining a catalogue of positive reviews further builds a positive brand reputation. Consumers are much more likely to engage with a business that has reviews. They prove that a business has customers, give the customer a voice, showcase product quality, and demonstrate customer care. Building trust in a competitive marketplace is key to instilling confidence in your products or services. 

Generate product and service sales 

We now know consumers have a high trust in online reviews. Many consumers consult online reviews before even stepping foot or contacting a business. Customers are able to formulate an opinion on a service or product after reading only a handful of reviews. Reviews are an excellent extension of word-of-mouth marketing which greatly influences consumer decision. When customers read reviews online it gives them additional information regarding the services and products you offer. This insight can help them understand if you can meet their needs. 

Boosts local SEO

Online reviews are a great tool for improving a business’s local Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO is the process of improving your business’s online presence on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Google and other search engines use reviews as a key factor in ranking businesses. Therefore, maintaining Google My Business listings and profiles on various review platforms such as Yelp, helps boost a business’s local SEO. Key words in reviews that mention specific goods and services your business offers can also increase your organic discoverability. 

Not all reviews are good reviews

That being said, not all reviews are good for business. Customers become motivated to leave reviews when they have a notably positive or negative experience with a business. Once a negative review is written a business loses control over who sees it and a business is forced to resolve any conflict online.

 

The ChartLocal Review Builder generates, monitors, and markets online reviews on the site important to your business. While consumers are actively reading reviews they are far less likely to create one. This ChartLocal Review Builder sources reviews through an automated process and ensures your business has reviews distributed across Google, Facebook, and all industry-specific review sites. This software gathers and publishes positive customer review experiences while internally resolving negative customer review experiences before they hit the web. Get in touch today to learn more about how the ChartLocal Review Builder can help your business.