If you currently own a business or are responsible for sales or marketing for one, take a moment to Google your company’s name and see how many online reviews you have. You might have a problem if that number isn’t at least 20.
The reason is that these reviews serve as a powerful marketing tool to improve your search engine rankings, capture quality audiences, and improve your sales. The internet has transformed how consumers buy products and services. Today, shoppers trust online reviews as much as trusting a personal recommendation; almost 95% of consumers read online ratings before purchasing.
So, if your number of reviews is below 20 or, worse yet, your consumer rating is below 4, find out why it is so important to invest in online reputation management today if you want to achieve your sales goals.
1. Online Reviews Boost Your Visibility
Online reviews can make or break your business. One of the easiest ways to improve your brand’s online visibility is to gain an impressive 4-star rating or higher from several clients. A surprising 70% of people use filters when searching for products and services, and most of them only want to see results with at least four stars.
2. Enhance Your SEO Efforts
You should take online reviews more seriously if you’ve started building your search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. While Google uses hundreds of factors to rank websites, a high rating on Google Reviews is a solid validation of your trustworthiness and authority. Good evaluations can do wonders for your SEO, both globally and locally.
3. Provide Social Proof
You can keep investing in ads to tell potential customers how great your products or services are — or you can let your online reviews do the talking. It’s hard to believe a brand that claims it offers practical solutions for consumer needs. It’s a self-serving declaration, after all. It’s easier for prospects to think of testimony from other clients because they come from real people with real problems.
4. Expand Brand Reach
Customers who only have high praise for your business will likely share reviews on several sites, such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, or FourSquare. One satisfied client doing this can do wonders for your online presence; imagine the impact this can have when you have hundreds of happy customers spreading the word.
5. Strengthen Customer Relationships
People who leave reviews — whether good or bad — expect a response. If you receive a good review, thank the client and encourage them to follow your socials or sign up for your mailing list. If you receive a bad review, thank the buyer, find ways to resolve their issues, and make it up to them. This simple gesture creates a loyal band of advocates for your brand.
Why An Online Reputation Management Service
Getting online reviews is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to attract potential clients. However, creating an automated system is not as easy as it seems. If you want to establish your reputation as an authority in your industry, it’s time to hire an online reputation management service.
At Amplico Marketing, we know what it takes to pull in reviews that drive sales, boost SEO efforts, and attract quality leads. Schedule a free consultation with us now.