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How to Get More Online Reviews for Your Business

Think about a time when you and your friends were deciding where to meet up. The location might have been a restaurant or even a store. Before the plans were finalized, there was a need to find out what the location offered in terms of services and the level of customer service. You may have visited a website such as Yelp in order to get recommendations.

fya graphic of statistics about online reviews

You and your friends are not the only ones doing this. In fact, according to research conducted by BrightLocal, 82% of customers read online reviews. Meanwhile, 52% of customers between the ages of 18 and 54 read online reviews for local businesses.

The study also found that customers read 10 reviews before making a decision about a business. Therefore, it is important for business owners to take into account how they are responding to customer comments, as 97% of people who read reviews find responses an integral part of the decision-making process.

There are several ways to increase the number of reviews for your business. Find Your Audience has compiled this list to help you.

 

1. Claim your business on Yelp

Yelp is one of the most popular websites customers visit to read business reviews. After claiming your business, you can link to your website, add photos, add important information such as your business’ hours and phone number, as well as respond to customer questions and reviews.

 

2. Make the most out of Instagram

Think about the last time you saw an attractive photo of a place on Instagram that prompted you to visit the store. By highlighting your business’ products and services through Instagram, you increase your reach, which would then result in more customers and reviews. Make sure that your Instagram posts have the right hashtags so that your business can be found.

 

3. Create a business Facebook page

Another way to get reviews is through Facebook. You can start by creating your business’ own page. Having a Facebook page not only makes it easier for current and potential customers to find your business, but also lets you connect with them. This can be done by having a high response rate, creating a bot to answer frequently asked questions in Facebook Messenger, or even creating engaging posts on a consistent basis.

 

4. Use Google My Business

To optimize customer acquisition and retention at a local level, you can take advantage of Google My Business. Using this would put your business on Google Maps, as well as Google search. Customers can then review your business on their Google accounts by writing a comment and ranking your company with stars. Be sure to detail the hours of operations and have a photo of your business’ location.

 

5. Create an email newsletter

Within the email newsletter your customers signed up for, you can add a call-to-action (CTA) that asks for reviews. This CTA should be interesting and short. Don’t forget to provide a link to the review page in order to streamline the process.

 

6. Optimize your business’ website

You can highlight your business’ website as a place for reviews and testimonials to be featured. You can have a submission section, as well as a featured reviews section. These website reviews are a great way to help potential customers make a decision about your products and services while learning about your business at the same time.

 

7. Deliver excellent customer service

One sure-fire way to get positive reviews for your business is by providing guests with stellar customer service. Let your business speak for itself by not telling customers what they can expect, but rather showing them your dedication through consistent high-quality service. Remember to always give good customer service. It doesn’t matter if someone is a first-time customer or a repeat one.

 

8. Respond to customer reviews

Responding to customer reviews can create a better online reputation for your business. This is in addition to increasing the public’s trust. By being proactive in answering questions and addressing concerns, you are telling customers that their feedback matters.

 

9. Ask for reviews in-person

Asking for a review of your business in-person adds a personal touch to the customer-business interaction. For example, this can be done at a restaurant after a customer is finished and satisfied with their meal. If you are talking with your customers over coffee, then you can let them know that you value their input and that you would appreciate it if they can get the word of your business out to other potential customers.

 

10. Give customers review instructions

Some customers aren’t tech-savvy enough to know how or where to write a review, so creating simple step-by-step instructions can help streamline the process. This can be in the form of an email, a text, or even a business card that asks for customer input.

 

As a business owner, having good online reviews and an excellent reputation can benefit your bottom line. For more advice on how to take your business to the next level, be it through high-quality online reviews or other means, contact the Find Your Audience team at either 647-479-0688 or hi@findyouraudience.online.

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