Editor's Note: This is a guest post from one of our Edit This® business partners, Randi Skinner, with RS Consulting. Randi is a marketing and idea strategist, and we have the potential to work together on a variety of content writing projects moving forward. Today she'll discuss first impressions and the impact a strong online review strategy has on your small business. You can learn more about what Randi does on her website and blog. RS Consulting is also all over social media, including Facebook.
As we are all working diligently to thrive in 2020, digital is becoming increasingly important. Here at RS Consulting, we’ve seen businesses shifting to digital in a variety of ways. This includes everything from creating online stores and new digital products to launching epic social media campaigns, content writing strategies, and so many other unique pivots.
Y'all are so creative! No matter where you are in your current marketing journey, we’ve got a secret to share. In fact, only 44% of local businesses are tapping into this opportunity.
That’s right! You heard me – less than half!
So, you’re probably asking yourself, “what’s this secret sauce?”
If I told you online reviews increase conversions and prospects by crazy numbers, would you believe me? The truth is that only 44% of local businesses have claimed their Google My Business listing (LsaInsider). This means less than half of business owners are even managing their Google reviews. And since Google accounts for the majority of all reviews – it matters.
It’s where people go!
It’s where your future customers are going.
Let me throw a few stats at y’all real quick:
82% of consumers read reviews for local businesses.
A single business review can lift its conversions by 10%.
The purchase likelihood for a product with five reviews is 270% greater than a product with 0 reviews.
If you don’t have an online review strategy in place, your future customers will likely be looking at no reviews, old reviews, or negative reviews.
And let’s face it – all of these options suck!
Reviews – Managing Your Online Reputation
Business owners aren’t tapping into the revenue potential of customer reviews. Having a strong online review strategy is the foundation of your digital reputation, increasing where and how you show up online. In other words, it's your first impression!
Not having a game plan in place for online reviews means you’re leaving money on the table. And, more importantly, you’re risking a bad online reputation. If you’re not asking your customers for those 5-star online reviews, the reality is that folks will post the bad reviews without you asking.
Responding to an online review is the first step in taking control of your digital reputation. Creating a strategy that includes asking for a 5-star review and responding to all reviews puts you ahead of competitors.
Here are some more online review facts:
Your potential prospects read reviews and read that company's response.
Google reviews can actually help increase local traffic to your website.
Current reviews are key. If you don’t have new reviews, you’re leaving conversions on the table.
Google and Facebook dominate in the review world, so focus here first.
Alright, so now is your chance to get ahead of the competition. Get out there and get that digital juju flowing with some strong online reviews. Want to read more about tips for creating an epic online review strategy? You can check out our latest LinkedIn post here.
Final thoughts from your friendly, neighborhood writer and editor at Edit This
Thank you to Randi for sharing these thoughts on first impressions and having a strong online review strategy. Randi is a great resource, and she genuinely wants you to succeed. At Edit This, we provide writing and editing services that, when combined with all the amazing ideas Randi has, are guaranteed to add more oomph to your marketing gameplan.
If you'd like to learn more about what we do at Edit This, click here to see our list of services.
Thanks for reading!
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