There are numerous marketing benefits to be had from amassing lots of positive reviews, these are regarded by Google as reviews with a minimum rating of 3.5 (or better) out of 5 stars.
Benefits of receiving positive reviews on Google lead to:
– Positive reviews make it easy for shoppers to choose your business over your competition.
– They add keyword-rich content when you post them on your site.
– They can generate referrals from one customer to another.
– They add credibility to your website.
– They allow you the opportunity to address poor reviews before they begin to tarnish your reputation.
– Your paid search ads (Google AdWords) will display the bright orange stars to viewers on the search result pages. This has a huge influence on the click-through-rates because the ads practically jump off the pages.
-Your natural (organic) listing may also display the stars, making even lower position results stand out.
– Provide improved rankings on the search engines.
– Populate the Internet with positive reviews.
– Become one of the most influential and trusted service providers in your community.
However, in order for your business to see some of the listed benefits you are required to have a minimum of 30 views in a 12 month period, and ensure at least 30 more views in the coming 12 month period.
You can also make it easy for your customers to post reviews by sending them an e-mail with links to your review sites. However, in no shape or form are you to bribe, incentivize, or intimidate customers from giving you a positive review.
“Reviews are only valuable when they are honest and unbiased. Even if well-intentioned, a conflict of interest can undermine the trust in a review. For instance, do not offer or accept money or product to write positive reviews about a business, or to write negative reviews about a competitor. Please also do not post reviews on behalf of others or misrepresent your identity or affiliation with the place you are reviewing,” said Google’s Matt McGee.
Moreover, it has been revealed that 90% of buying customers have said their buying decisions are purely based on online reviews. The percentages were collected and documented in a survey conducted by Dimensional Research which a staggering 90% said their purchases were influenced by online reviews, while 86% said their buying decisions were influenced by negative reviews.
Learn how to ask for customer feedback. Yes, it is difficult but not impossible. The more you include your customers the more they’ll want to help and offer feedback in what ways they can. Survey, polls, and a suggestions online box about products/services or the business itself re also other effective forms of receiving and incorporating feedback from customers that help strengthen your online reputation.
