According to BrightLocal, 88% of online shoppers trust reviews posted to consumer websites over word of mouth. Who knew that the opinions of strangers would make such a difference in consumer behaviors? So, where do you want your reviews posted? How do you encourage customers to take the time to review your business? Let’s take a look at how you can amp up your online credit (and business reputation) by jockeying for five stars across the board.
Many of the websites you want your company’s listing to show up on (with said 5-star reviews) are the sites you use personally when perusing the internet. These include:
Yelp is one of the most popular company directory websites with an easy-to-use platform for consumers who want to leave their opinion regarding products and services.
Once you set up your Facebook business page and designate yourself as a ‘local business’ there will be on option on your homepage for users to write a review.
When your business is Googled, a business summary will populate on the right-hand side of the page which also displays your rating. You can set yourself up to get 5-star reviews via Google through a Google My Business listing.
If you’ve got a service related business this is a terrific review site where five stars can go a long way.
Any and all businesses should have their info with the Better Business Bureau. Audiences who are less tech-savvy or social media-oriented are still likely to know about the BBB.
To get five-star reviews you don’t have to be flawless and mistake-free. What’s most important is to be honest, sincere, and attentive to your customer. Be committed to providing the best possible experience for them from the start, and to constantly improving that experience through feedback and adjustments. Here are some ways to put this 5-star formula into action for your business.
Even if it’s just a prospective customer, a person’s first interaction with your business sets the stage for their perception of your business and their future interactions. If they have the wrong impression, they might act differently which can, in turn, cause you to act differently, which can put a damper on the relationship. While it may not result in a poor relationship or a negative interaction, it may very well put a damper on any chances of a five-star review.
Make reviews a priority. Strive for as many five-star reviews as possible. Remember, online customer reviews are very influential when first-time customers are considering doing business with you. So, get off on the right foot with stellar feedback from loyal customers!
Don’t be shy. It’s okay to ask for reviews, and it’s even okay to ask specifically for 5-star reviews. In fact, the more honest and transparent you are about it, the more receptive and understanding people will be. After all, you are running a business and this is an important aspect of your growth.
Ask customers you know have had pleasant experiences with you to leave a five-star rating on any site of your choice to build a strong foundation and online reputation. It might be easier to start with your longtime, loyal customers who have the most familiarity with and trust in you.
When asking for five-star reviews,
For those brand new customers, you need to wow them with impeccable service to incite a positive response and inspire them to take a moment to review your business. Make it memorable. For example:
There are endless ways to make this a fun experience on the customer’s side.
Treat each of your customers with a high level of respect and let them feel how important their business is to you by:
These suggestions are basic service standards that make a huge difference in your customer’s experience and the happier they are with your service the more likely they are to leave you a five-star review and become repeat customers.
While it’s important to provide a high service level to every customer, try not to be too robotic in your delivery. People want to feel like they’re connecting with you and your staff on a personal level. Listen to your customer and tailor your suggestions to their specific desires. Remembering people’s names on second and third visits or their order gives customers the warm and fuzzies and can help set you apart from your competitors. Make a sincere effort to get to know the people keeping your business afloat.
Sending out periodic polls or feedback surveys helps you to get five-star reviews in a few different ways:
Once you’re on your way to collecting online reviews, keep an eye on them and if one or two not-so-positive comments slip in, respond to the jilted patron immediately. Let them know that you’ve heard their complaint and will make adjustments to ensure it won’t happen again.
Don’t do this in vain. Invite the disgruntled customer back in for a second shot and in return, if you’ve met their expectations, ask that they either amend their original review or at least post a positive one to balance it out.
Don’t underestimate the power of an online review. They’re not going anywhere anytime soon so best get in front of them and aim for the stars
To get your report, just log in with your Google My Business account on the next page and click “allow”