How Important Is It To Monitor All of Your Local Listing Customer Reviews?
December 29, 2012 by Lisa Santos · Leave a Comment
Online customer reviews are crucial when it comes to getting attention from local consumers. Business owners should monitor these reviews to get a broad idea about what people think of their products and services.
Posting positive comments about a business takes as much effort as posting negative comments. However, when people are angry, they tend to go that extra mile in letting other people know what they really think.
The process of providing online reviews, comments, and ratings is an everyday thing for consumers all over the world. On the flip side, the internet is also the first place to go when consumers want to know what other people have to say about a business.
Studies have shown that people today generally make buying decisions largely based on feedback from other consumers.
With these points in mind, it is vital that business owners monitor their local listing pages, blog comments, video comments, social media comments and more.
If you don’t know what is said, then the issue is left unanswered, which could be bad for business. For instance, let’s say one of your customers had a negative interaction with one of your employees. The customer then got online and made some really negative comments about your business.
This could turn potential customers off, which hurts your ability to increase sales and profits; these online comments are just that powerful.
Therefore, monitoring what is being said about your company online is crucial. Staying on top of your negative reviews will give you a chance to respond as well as improve your product or service if necessary.
One important point to remember is that the best way to neutralize the negative reviews is not to counter attack the customer; the business owner should try to respond to the comment professionally and positively. This will settle the case and show other consumers that you actually care about your customers.
Monitoring and responding to your online customer reviews will give you a chance to correct situations before they get out of hand, as well as neutralize the amount of online negativity associated with your company.
When marketing a small business, nothing should be left to chance because the smallest things can impact your overall success. Remember that there will always be one or two unhappy customers. But if you choose to ignore them, you could be leaving the future of your business in the hands of a few angered people.
How To Get More Online Reviews from Your Customers by Replying Promptly
February 9, 2012 by Lisa Santos · Leave a Comment
Knowing what customers think of your business is crucial information that every business owner wants and needs to know.
Great online reviews will boost your image and your reputation too. This will potentially lead to more business and more money. However, negative reviews could really put a dent in your plans.
Negative reviews are usually left by unhappy customers, disgruntle employees, or sabotaging competitors. Yes, that’s right… some competitors stoop really low when it comes to knocking you out of their way.
People definitely rely on online reviews when searching for a local product, service, or business. So any negative reviews out there about your business can definitely put a damper on things.
Although you can’t control the reviews your business receives, you can improve the way you handle the negative ones.
In fact, you can even turn them into “positive” reviews.
So how do you do that? It’s simple…
Reply! Reply! Reply!
It’s a good idea to reply back to any and all of your customers reviews. Being more personable will show other prospects and customers that you at least care and value the opinions of your customers.
Local business listing sites such as Google Places and Yelp are wonderful sites that allow business owners to easily see and respond to their online reviews.
Promptness Pays Off!
The sooner you reply back to your customers reviews the better. This will show that you care about the quality of your business and will definitely earn you some “brownie points” from your valued prospects and customers.
Replying back promptly will give you a better reputation and will even encourage more customers to write more reviews (hopefully, good ones).
All you need to do is stay online, see what they’re saying, and get engaged! You’ll be happy you did when you see how powerful a nice, strong, solid online reputation can be for your business.
Get Your Local Business Booming With Online Review Sites
January 10, 2012 by Lisa Santos · Leave a Comment
A surprising amount of customers searching the internet are looking for local information. This opens up a wonderful opportunity for local business owners.
Taking advantage of the massive amount of local searches is not only smart, but it’s a necessity if you want to stand against your local competitors.
However, some businesses are still left scratching their heads trying to figure out HOW they can take advantage of the internet to produce more leads, customers, and sales.
One effortless way that businesses can do this is by signing up with Online Review Sites such as Yahoo Local Listings and Yelp!
When local consumers search for a local business online, sites such as these usually come up as well as independent business websites.
However, these review sites pack more power because they contain reviews from the company’s customers right there for everyone to see.
Now, imagine your business listing (with no reviews) sitting right above one of your competitor’s listings which happens to have 38 glowing customer reviews. Who do you think consumers will go with?
As you can see, building online customer reviews is no longer an option – it’s a necessity.
Reel Them In With Yahoo Local Listings…
This is an awesome site that can help boost your business. At Yahoo Local Listings business owners can advertise their business information for free.
As a complimentary service to this free Online Review Site, you may list your business in up to five different categories, making your business viewable to a larger amount of searchers. This is a very high trafficked site and is sure to bring more money and customers to your door!
Yelp! And They Will Come…
Here, you can view feedback about your business as well as post a response. Yelp.com is growing at a ridiculous rate so now is a perfect time to act. At the rate this Review Site is going, you’ll be sure to bring in more business if you use the site to your advantage.
In fact, your profile may even be listed there already. If so, all you need to do is make a quick phone call to claim what is rightfully yours. Now you can take control of your own profile and bring in more dough.