Wondering how reviews can help your business? There are thousands of small businesses reaping the benefits of online reviews.

Here are 10 ways customer reviews can help your business…

1. Customer Reviews Build Trust
   Hands down, reviews are the best way to build customers trust. As one business owner said; “If I say it, it’s bragging, but when my customers say it, it’s proof!”  Reviews are ‘the evidence’ customers are looking for. A recent Nielsen survey found that online reviews build trust more than a television advertisement, more than a newspaper article and more than any other form of media. And guess what? Customers will only buy from businesses they trust.
2. Customer Reviews Shortcut Your Sales Process
   Once customers see positive reviews for your business, you’ll spend less time and energy selling – leaving more time to actually provide the service. Many businesses instruct every customer to read their reviews before they even start any serious discussions. The reviews themselves do the selling and once they get to you, they’re ready to purchase.
3. Customer Reviews Safeguard you from Poor Feedback
   Even the best businesses have some unhappy customers, so yes, it’s true that you might get a negative review. But one negative review amongst several positive reviews is unlikely to have much impact. Building a bank of positive reviews is the best way to offset any unfavorable feedback that comes through in the future (whether that’s from a review, or comments on Facebook, Twitter, or somewhere else). It’s about building an online reputation – before you have a problem.
4. Customer Reviews Attract the Best Kinds of Clients
   Just like marketing with steep discounts gets you price-shoppers; marketing with customer reviews gets you quality-shoppers. These are often the types of customers that value quality and service above price (meaning they’re more profitable), plus they’re also more loyal types of customers that will stay with you for longer.

   Why spend money attracting tyre-kickers, when you could be attracting quality customers (see this electricians experience using customer reviews).

5. Customer Reviews Impress Your Current Customers
   People enjoy a bottle of wine even more when they know it was expensive or has won prestigious awards. Likewise, customers appreciate and value your business more when they realise how popular your business is by seeing feedback from fellow customers. Plus, the mere act of asking your clients for feedback shows them that you value their opinions and increases their satisfaction.
6. Customer Reviews tell you how to Improve
   It’s almost ridiculous that this item is number six, but unfortunately many businesses are not really that interested in improving, and consequently miss significant opportunities. The insights gained from both positive and negative reviews can help shape the direction of your business – making you stronger and more successful in the future. Plus, it’s a lot easier and cheaper to do than
   commissioning a market research project.
7. Customer Reviews help Save Disgruntled Clients
   Did you know that most unhappy customers won’t even let you know they’re not satisfied? They just don’t come back!

   By asking customers for a review, you give them an opportunity to communicate, and the business gets an opportunity to respond. No business is perfect, but the sign of a good business lies in what happens when things go wrong. We’ve seen hundreds of examples where businesses have turned unhappy patrons into loyal customers – simply by communicating and resolving the situation. Without the review, they would never have had this opportunity.

8. Customer Reviews Create a Customer Service Culture
   What better tool to manage your team than through direct feedback from customers? By focusing your attention on customer satisfaction, you automatically align everyone’s interests. Make a big fuss whenever you get positive reviews and treat any negative feedback seriously (here’s some tips). You don’t need to be an HR guru to do this!
9. Customer Reviews get you Found in Google
   Any SEO expert will tell you to get listings on local online directory sites and create original content about your business. Customer reviews cover both bases and are naturally SEO gold. Google likes fresh information so each time you get a new review, your page is given a little more weight. What’s more is that your customers describe your business using highly relevant words and phrases – usually a close match to the phrases potential customers are searching for. Even if you already have a strong web presence, your reviews will get you found under more words and phrases and put you in front of more people (remember, it’s not just about being found when people search for your business name).
10. Customer Reviews make it Fun!
    Have you forgotten why you went into business in the first place? Wasn’t it something to do with serving customers and creating an awesome customer experience? It’s easy to lose motivation in the day-to-day grind of keeping on top of it all!

    Many business owners tell us they use customer reviews as their personal source of motivation – you’ll be amazed at the lovely things people will say about you!

    It’s a great way to keep focused and remember why you bother with all the blood, sweat and tears.

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