If you’re a business, then you already know the power that word of mouth can have in building up your reputation. It’s why you ensure you have reliable customer service, and why you always encourage your customers to, “Tell your friends about us!” However, we live in the digital age, and that means your reputation exists online as well as in the brick-and-mortar world. If you’ve been neglecting the power of online reviews, you might want to rethink your strategy.
Reviews Can Be A Game Changer
What people say about you online can make a huge difference when it comes to how many people walk through your doors or head to your website. In fact, while 90 percent of consumers say online reviews influence their buying behavior; only 6 percent write them. Improving your rating by as much as a single star can cause a jump of 39 percent in the amount of business you get, too. And then there are the effects that online reviews can have on your local SEO.
It’s also important to remember that, while there are dozens of sites your customers can leave reviews on, Google reviews are some of the most important ones out there.
Part of that is because Google has such an extensive reach. It is a website whose name is synonymous with performing a search in today’s online market. The other part is because Google, as a website, is something people see as authoritative. It’s where people are going to go to find reviews, and if they find what they want on that first search, then they may not look any further.
That’s why it pays to make sure people are talking about you on Google. Because planting a few seeds today can lead to a serious harvest in the near future.
Your company’s online reputation is imperative for successfully growing your brand and a reputable online presence can help you stand out among your competitors. One of the best reputation management tools is online review marketing. Contact us for more information on using reviews to build your business.
