Establishing yourself as a trusted resources is vital for small businesses trying to carve out a niche in the online world.
Developing a solid and active reputation on customer review sites like Yelp, Facebook, Yellowpages can go a long ways in establishing a relationship with your potential customer.
- 74% of consumers say that positive reviews make them trust a local business more
- 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation
(according to Local Consumer Review Survey 2016)
What people are saying about you and how you respond in places like Yelp and Facebook can be vital to demonstrating that your company is credible and trustworthy.
Here’s a couple things you can do right now to start the process of managing your online reputation.
Claim all of your relevant profiles
We recommend the big three for storefront businesses…Yelp, Facebook and Google my Business, but often there are industry specific sites as well.
Invite customers to fill out reviews
A business with 10 (or even 5!) reviews on a site like Yelp is viewed much more favorable than a business that has none.
Ask your past customers to fill out a reviews for you on the most relevant sites for your industry. You can add a link in your invoice receipt, send an email to past clients or straight up ask them in person.
Show you’re listening
By responding to reviews online you show that you’re an active, listening company that cares about what the customer is experiencing. You’re paying attention!
Authenticity is the name of the game here and will drive a connection with your customers.