Did you know that 93% of customers read online reviews before making a purchase? That means if you’re not generating online reviews, you’re missing out on a lot of business!
Not only do online reviews help build credibility for new prospects, but they also help increase your business’s SEO rankings. Though many businesses recognize the importance of online reviews, many struggle to generate them.
In this article, we’ll explore four strategies you can use to help your small business start collecting more online reviews.
Four Strategies To Get More Online Reviews
So, how can you start reaping the benefits of a robust portfolio of customer reviews? Try the following techniques:
1. Ask Clients to Leave Reviews
Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Many consumers who are happy with your product or services may need this extra push to remember to leave a review. You can ask them online, on social media, or in person for these reviews. Perhaps you add a sign or sticker on your window asking customers to leave you a review. People are more likely to leave a review when someone personally asks them to do so. You can also make it easy for the reviewer by adding a kiosk or QR code.
If asking clients to leave a review in person is not possible, there are other ways you can encourage more clients to leave reviews. You can put a blurb at the bottom of your email signature or put something on printed business cards.
2. Ask for a Review at the Right Time
When asking for reviews, whether in person or virtually, be sure to ask at the appropriate time. Of course, you’ll want to wait until after someone has used or purchased from your business. In some instances, you will want to make sure to give consumers enough time to form an opinion on your product or service. This will ultimately lead to more complete and genuine reviews and feedback.
The right time to ask for a review will depend on the nature of your business. In a services business, it could be right before the contract has been completed. It may be before the customer leaves the premises in a food business or in a follow-up email or text the next day.
3. Ask for a Review Through Appropriate Channels
Another way to help generate more online reviews is by asking through appropriate channels — from Facebook and Twitter to TikTok and Google My Business, depending on who your target customer is and where they show up the most online.
By diversifying the channels in which you ask for reviews, you’ll increase your odds of getting more reviews and the visibility and reach of the reviews.
4. Automate the Asking Process
By nature, people often need to be reminded to do things. Most of us live busy lives. As such, automating the asking process is another way to help your business generate more reviews without tying up your employees with mundane tasks that can easily be automated. The best automation tools include text messages, mobile kiosks, and email marketing campaigns.
Hosting an email campaign, for example, is one of the simplest ways to attract more reviews. An email campaign does not need to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as a quick email asking customers to leave feedback about your services, products, or business. To entice customers to leave feedback, be sure to indicate the reason why you’re gathering this data. Customers like to hear that the feedback you collect will be used to continually improve or adapt your business.
Don’t go it alone
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