Online reviews can have a significant impact on a business, both positive and negative. In this article, we’ll discuss why online reviews matter and the impact of customer feedback on your business.
- Online reviews influence consumer decisions – According to a study by BrightLocal, 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This means that online reviews can play a significant role in the purchasing decisions of potential customers. Positive reviews can help to build trust and credibility, while negative reviews can discourage potential customers from doing business with you.
- Online reviews improve local SEO – In addition to influencing consumer decisions, online reviews can also improve the local SEO of a business. Google and other search engines use online reviews as a ranking factor, so having a high number of positive reviews can improve your chances of ranking highly in local search results.
- Online reviews provide valuable feedback – In addition to their impact on sales and search rankings, online reviews can also provide valuable feedback for businesses. By reading and responding to reviews, businesses can learn about the strengths and weaknesses of their products or services and use that information to improve and grow.
- Online reviews are easy to manage – There are several tools and platforms that businesses can use to manage and respond to online reviews. This includes platforms like Yelp, Google My Business, and Facebook, as well as reputation management tools like ReviewTrackers and Podium. These tools make it easy for businesses to track and respond to reviews and to monitor their overall online reputation.
In conclusion, online reviews matter because they influence consumer decisions, improve local SEO, provide valuable feedback, and are easy to manage. By taking the time to read and respond to reviews, businesses can use customer feedback to improve and grow.