You are about to book a vacation. Or buy a new jacket, online course, or visit a new dental surgery. What is the first thing you do before you click “buy” or book an appointment?
Yes, you check for any good reviews and hope there aren’t any bad ones.
Like it or not, reviews are a vote of confidence and are a vital part of any business‘s marketing strategy. Don’t think they are that important? This guide explains the need for reviews and the importance of good reviews for your business.
Generate Trust and Word of Mouth Marketing
Consumers seek out reviews for many reasons. Some of these include:
- Buying a new product/service they have never used before
- Buying from a new company they have never heard about
- To weigh up the pros and cons
- To find out other people’s opinions
The last point is the key to why you want reviews. Reviews generate trust amongst customers because, unlike you, most consumers do not have an ulterior motive. They have no reason to lie about or exaggerate their experience.
Good reviews act as “word of mouth” marketing in cases where a personal recommendation from a friend is not possible.
Increase Your Visibility in Google Search
Getmorereviews.com states that it is not only consumers looking at your reviews, Google is too. And Google reviews are essential for appearing in local search and Google Maps suggestions.
Type “Italian restaurants” into Google Maps. The search engine will make suggestions based on your search terms, location, and the number of good reviews.
This is a fantastic form of organic digital marketing because you do not need to pay for it. And it targets people who are in the buying/consumer mindset and are nearby.
Plus, Google reviews help your business compete against bigger businesses. Google is more likely to rank a business with seven five-star reviews higher than one with 16 three-star reviews. Google does not care about a business’s reputation elsewhere.
This will help more potential customers find your business and allow you to grow.
Can Use Good Reviews on Marketing Materials
You do not need to sit and hope that potential customers will see your amazing reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, or wherever. Put them on your marketing materials or in your shop front for everyone to see!
Does your hotel have a perfect rating on Booking.com? Put a huge banner on your website telling the world this fact.
Are your customers huge fans of your falafel? Make sure you include their review on your menu or pamphlets.
You could also use reviews on paid advertisements as a way to generate the trust that consumers are looking for from a new business.
Keep the Good Reviews Coming
Now you know why good reviews are fantastic for marketing a small business you will want to learn how to get good reviews. It is understandable why you don’t want bad reviews and might not want to encourage them. But as long as you keep providing a great service, your loyal consumers will look for any excuse to rave about you.
Want to learn more about online marketing? Check out our tech articles for more tips!
