Let’s face facts. Online reviews play a huge role in the way consumers make their buying decisions. Some research indicates as many as 90% (!) of consumers say positive reviews influence their purchasing choices. Plus, the user-generated content of positive reviews can really help your SEO.
You know what that means. It’s time to get off the sidelines and into the game.
Have you ever checked your online reviews? Go on. Don’t be afraid to look. Filter the view through your fingers if you have to. We’ll wait.
Take your time. Don’t mind us …
So. How was it?
If you’re lucky, they weren’t too bad but maybe offer room for improvement. But if you’re like most small business owners, your reviews are either non-existent or shockingly poor. It hurts, doesn’t it?
Walk it off. It’s time to move the ball down the field.
On your own, there are some things you can do to begin improving your online reviews today:
- Consistently providing amazing service and an amazing product is one thing, sure.
- If you get reviews – both negative and positive, you should respond honestly and openly. If the review is positive, make that enthusiastically!
- Encourage your happy customers to leave reviews for your business.
- If you can make it easy for them with an in-store kiosk, even better.
These things are all a great start, and will help. But if you really want to make a difference, there’s still plenty of time left in the half to save the game. Take the field with Get Smart Reputation and get immediate insights into your online reviews, learn how to increase the testimonials you receive, and be alerted to potential negative feedback so you can stop it before it ever hits the internet.
It’s not a Hail Mary pass. It’s how champions play the game.
