The stats are in! A whopping 95% of shoppers read online reviews before making a purchase.[1] This is just one of the many figures that prove that online reviews are critical for every business to have.
So, what’s the fuss about online reviews? They make your business more appealing to potential customers and the Internet. Firstly, online reviews offer a consumer-friendly snapshot of your business. Companies with testimonials are more likely to draw interest than companies without. Secondly, online reviews about your company on multiple platforms (like Facebook and Google My Business) will enhance your SEO so that you appear higher up in search results.
How to Get More Online Reviews
Be Easy to Find
Make sure your company is active on popular review sites, like Google My Business, Facebook, and Yelp. Claiming your listing on these platforms will help your customers find where exactly they can post their reviews. Not to mention, having active listings will help boost your search engine ranking!
Ask Right Away
Customer attention spans are shorter than ever. Make sure your technicians and your CSRs are asking for reviews directly after service is completed. This way, the service is still fresh in the customer’s mind.
Use Diverse Tactics
There are many ways to request customer reviews. Explore your options to see which works best for your company. A successful strategy is to use a combination of several…
- By email: Send a follow-up email to customers that received service, or request reviews to your entire customer list.
- By text: If you have a customer list that has opted to receive messages from your company via text – go for it! Mobile users can click on the link in your text and quickly write a review after their service is complete.
- In print: Create a custom leave-behind that your techs can give to the customer when they request a review in person. The printed piece is a helpful reminder and can provide all the details on how to find your business’ listing online.
Stay Active
Online reviews offer a unique opportunity for your business to interact directly with your customers. It is important to regularly manage your online reviews. Responding to each review shows current and potential customers that you care.
The busy season is far from over! If there is no room on your plate for online review acquisition, we can help. Contact Consumer Focus Marketing to learn more about our customer review management services and products.