What do potential customers see when they search for you online? More likely than not, they see past customers’ reviews of your business. 

In fact, customers expect to see reviews. Studies show 82% of shoppers won’t choose a retailer with less than 3 stars.

If your business lacks online reviews, or if all your online reviews are negative, it can result in fewer online purchases and less foot traffic to your business. 

Online reputation management can grow your business by helping you build your online reputation, manage negative online reviews and show potential customers that your business is one they can trust. 

Reputation management keeps you informed

No business owner likes to see bad reviews pop up about their business. But when one does happen, it’s important to respond to the negative review professionally.

When one customer gets upset, it isn’t just them you have to worry about. They can share their grievances with their family and friends, their social networks and anyone else who is reading your business’s online reviews.

Studies show that 88% of consumers say they will use a business if they can see the business owner responds to all reviews, whether positive or negative. Responding to reviews shows that your business cares about its customers.

Our reputation management app will send you an alert whenever a new review comes in, so you can quickly respond to both positive and negative ones. 

Reviews can help make your business better

No business is perfect. Mistakes are what make us human!

But when a mistake keeps happening, it’s important to do something about it. Online reputation management can help you see when there’s a trend forming in your online reviews and give you insights to make changes that will make your business stronger in the long run. 

For example, a takeout restaurant may hear complaints of food arriving cold or incomplete delivery orders. Whether you need to update your online delivery system or find new to-go packaging, reviews can help you determine what changes you can make to improve your customer experience. 

More reviews = more business

As of 2019, online shoppers in the United States expect a significant number of reviews when looking at a product online — the average number of expected reviews was 112, with younger shoppers expecting more reviews than older ones. 

The reason behind this is social proof. Social proof gives customers the confidence to buy a new product they’ve never tried before, or visit a new restaurant. 

But how do you gather more reviews? Ask. An online reputation management platform, like our Reputation app, lets business owners send out automated review requests via email or text, making it easy for customers to post a review.

Did you know that 65% of customers will leave a review if they’re asked? Incorporating review requests into your customer’s post-purchase journey can help you gather more reviews and improve your online authority. 

About Marketing 360®’s Reputation app

Our Reputation app lets you monitor your online reviews in one place, request reviews with ease and build trust. See our plans and pricing.

Originally published on 1/14/21