The ability to interact and engage with customers is vital for any company. Likewise, and being able to collect, interpret and respond to customer feedback will help new businesses improve customer satisfaction and expand their consumer base.
Did you know that that gathering reviews and building a strong review profile can also help you to make sales as a new business? While you shouldn’t expect your new site to rank highly on Google and other search engines right away, you can tap into the power of reviews to garner positive visibility.
Research by BrightLocal has shown that over eight in ten consumers put the same trust in online reviews as they do in personal recommendations. Almost one in two people will look for a minimum four star review before they part with their cash and, consumers are savvy about researching brands before they spend by browsing reviews from other readers.
All of this means that you could be losing out on a lot of potential customers if you are not including a balanced and well-maintained customer review profile as part of your business strategy.
Use Google
If you’re a new business looking to lay the foundations of a strong review profile, it should come as no surprise to learn that Google is a great place to start. Google reviews make up a large proportion of millions of company’s review profiles and so increasing your Google reviews will provide a platform on which to build. As a globally recognised brand, the tech giant is a trusted source when it comes to reviews and a large percentage of consumers and online shoppers will make purchasing decisions based on Google reviews. You can do this by registering for Google My Business and then actively encouraging customers to leave a review for you – research shows that the majority of shoppers are happy to do this when asked.
Get help
Sometimes it can be difficult trying to juggle all aspects of business development and marketing, especially for a new business. Outsourcing operations to external professionals that are trained in creating effective marketing strategies and strong review profiles will help new companies grow quickly and engage more effectively with consumers. The expertise provided by an ecommerce marketing agency will help you develop your review profile to a professional level.
Get more specific
If you’re looking to expand your brand’s review profile or build on the foundation set by Google reviews, registering on industry-specific reviewe platforms is a great way to take your business strategy to the next level. For example, if you own a hotel, travel review websites such as TripAdvisor will help you engage directly with your target market.
Social media
When it comes to online reviews, many business and companies often overlook the importance of social media platforms such as Facebook. In a global market that is become increasingly influenced by social media activity, it is vital that you don’t neglect sites such as Facebook. Take advantage of Facebook’s review system by engaging with consumers and turning on the Reviews option on your page settings.
