Attracting a steady stream of new customers is an ongoing challenge for any small business owner. After all, in order to grow your sales, you need to grow your customer base. One of the best ways to attract new customers to your local business is by using online reviews to enhance and promote your business’s reputation.
While there may not be one specific site to force all your reviews to, it’s important to make sure your business is set up to receive reviews in the best and easiest way possible for consumers.
Sites to use for business reviews
Google Business Profile
Formerly known as Google My Business, Google Business Profile is one of the main places customers will see your reviews. Having Google Business Profile is a must have in addition to a great website. And as always, a Google Business Profile is free!
Yelp
Long gone are the days where Yelp was only a food review site. There are all sorts of businesses on Yelp and even more customers waiting to review you on the platform.
Facebook Business Page
Facebook continues to be the most used social media platform. Having a business page setup where you can accept reviews is a must for any business.
How to maximize your online reviews for your small business
Always pay attention to your reviews
Whether they’re positive or negative, customer reviews offer insights into what your business is doing well and what you need to improve. You could pay a lot of money for a focus group to tell you these things — or you could just read your reviews. Customer reviews are a great way to know what you could be doing better!
Never stop trying to get more reviews
If your business has 50 online reviews, but they’re all from 2015 or earlier and your biggest competitor has 25 online reviews from this year, who are customers more likely to buy from? Obtaining new reviews gives customers the confidence that not only are you still in business, but you’re doing something right if people are taking the time to write about you.
If you’re struggling to get new reviews, offer customers incentives! Maybe a percentage off their purchase or something small for free if they show they’ve posted a review. A little incentive never hurt!
Always be willing to engage with your reviewers
Of course, you’ll want to reply to negative reviews so you can try to change the reviewer’s mind. But you should also engage with some of your positive reviewers. You don’t have to reply to every positive review—that will quickly start to seem phony. Instead, pick out a few particularly well-written reviews and comment on them. In addition to thanking the customer, you can also mention additional products or services they might not be aware of. (Just don’t make your comments sound too “salesy.”)
Never ignore a negative review
Respond to negative reviews immediately so you can get out in front of them before they have a chance to attract attention online. Immediately reach out to offer a public apology and then take the customer off-line to discuss how to resolve the issue.
Repurpose your reviews
Your online reviews will get more attention if you share them in places besides the online review site. For example, you can link to your reviews from your social media pages or from your business website.
Whether you’re a mom and pop business looking for ways to use your customer reviews on your website or a larger business looking to shed some positive light on your brand, leaveraging the reviews customers are leaving you is the perfect way to do this!
