Reviews : Don't Hide Away From Them

Chris Jacobsen • 18 February 2022

In today’s world your online reputation is critical.

This can be measured in a variety of ways but one of the most effective methods of managing your online reputation is through online reviews.

Actively sourcing and acquiring good reviews is key to building a positive online reputation. This can be split in two parts.

Firstly: acquiring them. This is the hardest part, as even customers who are overjoyed with your product/service can be reticent to leave a review. Taking five minutes out of their busy schedule, lack of familiarity with the process and not know what to say can all be barriers. Don't be afraid to ask customers directly, send them reminders or leave prompts in areas that your customers might congregate, such as waiting rooms.

Secondly: once you've got them, respond to them! When new reviews are submitted it's vitally important that you reply, regardless of whether they're positive or negative. This shows you value customer feedback and opinions. Additionally, your responses and timings are measured by Google, which can give your online presence a real boost when done well.

Having the ability to deal quickly with negative reviews is really important when reducing the impact they can have on your reputation. Often, a simple conversation with a disgruntled customer can be enough. And any review should always be viewed as great sources of constructive criticism to help you improve your business.

It’s not uncommon for business owners to feel afraid when managing customer reviews; they're worried about zero star reviews or negative feedback. But , let's be honest, if you've got poor products/services then reviews aren't your biggest problem.

In fact, businesses that shun the opportunity are actually hurting their business.

Ready to get some reviews? Here's are the top five platforms in the UK...

Google Business Profile (aka Google My Business)

As explained in my previous blog post your Google My Business Profile should be the cornerstone of your online presence and every business should claim their profile without delay!

If someone is searching for your business on Google then the first thing they’ll notice is your stars. If they’re searching for a product or service you provide then they’ll see your business name and all the info from your Google My Business profile, so make sure it's accurate and up to date.

Google also provides a handy link for you to send out to customers, which can help get you over the aforementioned barriers.

Facebook

Lots of businesses use Facebook to reach out to new and existing customers. As well as presenting details about your business, Facebook is a platform where people can leave leave reviews and comments but also where conversations about your business can take place.

That’s why it’s important to have constant visibility through new reviews. When a customer has left feedback this is a great opportunity for you to step in and own that conversation. There's nothing stronger that third part, independent endorsement for a brand.

Amazon

Amazon is the other goliath of the online world. If you sell products online and you’re also an Amazon Marketplace partner then this is a vital spot where potential new customers are eyeing up your products.

It’s important that you use Amazon to ask for new reviews and to offer customer support to build consumer confidence in the items you’re trying to sell.

The comments made about your product from previous purchasers is also the first thing many new customers will look at. It can be the difference between making a sales to a lifelong customer and losing them instantly.

TripAdvisor

The favourite platform for visitors and tourists and that can mean big money for restaurants, retail and entertainment venues. TripAdvisor has the highest business review volume in the entire tourist and travel vertical so don’t let your business miss out.

As an industry leader, having a stack of positive TripAdvisor reviews really lends weight to your product/service.

Yell.com

Yell.com is the digital listing directory version of the old Yellow Pages books and this site is much different today from what it was five years ago but still remains a trusted source for local businesses to build their trust. Creating or claiming your listing there is free.

Whilst accessible to all business, like its previous iteration, it remains a valuable resource for the trades.

Ready to get some reviews? Tell us!

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