A recent study found that 91% of consumers check out the online reviews a business has before deciding to use their products/services. If you are a business owner, finding ways to provide consumers with social proof about your business is imperative. This proof is the only way to convince a consumer that your business is trustworthy and reputable.
Quick Links
One of the biggest problems most business owners have when it comes to online reviews is acquiring them from their customers. If you are looking for tips on how to get online reviews for your business, check out the useful information below.
1. Get a Google My Business Listing
Making sure customers can find your business online is a crucial component in building a war chest of online reviews. When a consumer searches your business name, you want your Google My Business listing to pop up. This listing provides information about where your business is located, your hours of operation and it also provides consumers with the ability to leave reviews.
If you get your business listed on Google, you can make it easier for people to leave reviews. Creating a Google My Business listing is free, so there is really no excuse not to have one.
2. Use Signage in Your Building to Encourage Customers
If you have a physical location you operate your business from, finding ways to encourage customers to leave online reviews is important. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is by using the power of signage to drive your point home. This signage will need to include a link to where customers can go to leave their positive reviews.
You can also create business cards with this type of messaging on them. While you will have to pay for these printed materials, it will be worth the investment. By increasing the number of positive online reviews your business has, you can attract more consumers to your brand.
3. Emailing Customers is a Good Idea
Most consumers like communicating with the businesses they use via email. If you have a list of customer email addresses, you need to put them to good use. Creating an email campaign with the goal of getting customers to leave positive online reviews is a wise move.
Creating a short and detailed email message that lays out what you are trying to accomplish will not be easy. If you are having a hard time developing an email message to send out to customers, you may need to seek out the help of a marketing professional. With their assistance, you can have success with this email marketing campaign.
4. Reply to Your Existing Online Reviews
Convincing more people to leave positive online reviews for your business will not be easy. However, you can use your existing online reviews as a way to entice consumers to leave a review of their own. Replying to these reviews with a heartfelt thanks shows consumers you actually care about your customers. If you have a slue of online reviews and don’t reply to them, it could put your business in a bad light.
Source-Pixabay
5. Provide Great Customer Service
Perhaps the easiest way to increase the number of online reviews your business receives is by providing excellent customer service. If you consistently go above and beyond for your customers, word will get out. Your satisfied customers will be more apt to leave glowing reviews of your business and tell their friends about their experience.
It’s Time to Put These Tips to Work
Using the information in this article can help you increase the number of positive online reviews your business receives. Over time, you will become more comfortable with asking customers for these reviews.