REVIEWS – THEY’RE NOT JUST FOR MOVIES.
REVIEWS – THEY’RE NOT JUST FOR MOVIES.
Online reviews are important because they have become a reference point for buyers and customers. So many people trust them when making purchasing decisions. From restaurant to dental services, it’s rare to make a purchase decision without reading through several online reviews. In 2016, 90% of shoppers read at least one online review before deciding to visit a business. Even more people turn away when reading a negative review. This article has even more insights which are summarised below.
Why customer reviews are important for your business 1. Customer feedback gives the proof that encourages purchases. We’re more likely to make a purchase if others agree that it is a good decision. Online reviews are the biggest source of social proof, and they impact sales.
Why customer reviews are important for your business 1. Customer feedback gives the proof that encourages purchases. We’re more likely to make a purchase if others agree that it is a good decision. Online reviews are the biggest source of social proof, and they impact sales.
2. Reviews increase your business’s exposure. Most shoppers will turn to Google, or Facebook, when deciding what to buy. These websites value original and new content, and customer reviews help feed the content machine.
3. Reviews make your business look trustworthy and credible.
4. Reviews extend your brand’s reach by being shared.
5. Customer feedback is becoming essential to decision making, even more than friend’s or colleague’s opinions.
6. They have an impact on sales. A study by the Harvard Business School found that online reviews can impact revenue. Brands that are viewed positively have better sales.
7. Reviews allow you to communicate directly to your customers. More than simply posting reviews, consumers today expect companies to respond to their comments.
Your business is under review
The way you market your business is important, having positive comments about your brand is a good way to extend your message. In the case that you receive a negative comment, it could impact your business dramatically. Some suggestions for dealing with poor reviews are:
• Respond as soon as you are aware of the bad review
• Own any errors and admit your mistakes
• Correct inaccuracies in an honest manner
• Speak of your strengths
• Write to the reviewer using a personable tone, not a corporate one
• Continue the conversation offline
• Provide compensation if it’s required
• Ask loyal customers to share their experiences
• Be consistent
Encourage your customers to give feedback and make it easy for them to do so. Give them the opportunity to comment either through surveys, post sales emails or links to review sites. Then monitor and track your reviews and take suggestions on board. Encourage positive conversation about your brand, and this will help with your marketing efforts.
4. Reviews extend your brand’s reach by being shared.
5. Customer feedback is becoming essential to decision making, even more than friend’s or colleague’s opinions.
6. They have an impact on sales. A study by the Harvard Business School found that online reviews can impact revenue. Brands that are viewed positively have better sales.
7. Reviews allow you to communicate directly to your customers. More than simply posting reviews, consumers today expect companies to respond to their comments.
Your business is under review
The way you market your business is important, having positive comments about your brand is a good way to extend your message. In the case that you receive a negative comment, it could impact your business dramatically. Some suggestions for dealing with poor reviews are:
• Respond as soon as you are aware of the bad review
• Own any errors and admit your mistakes
• Correct inaccuracies in an honest manner
• Speak of your strengths
• Write to the reviewer using a personable tone, not a corporate one
• Continue the conversation offline
• Provide compensation if it’s required
• Ask loyal customers to share their experiences
• Be consistent
Encourage your customers to give feedback and make it easy for them to do so. Give them the opportunity to comment either through surveys, post sales emails or links to review sites. Then monitor and track your reviews and take suggestions on board. Encourage positive conversation about your brand, and this will help with your marketing efforts.
I have been specialising in graphic design for start-up owner operated and small businesses for just over 10 years. I can create a brand or develop your current logo into a brand which is unique and gives your business a consistent look and effectively gets your message across.