Getting great customer reviews on sites such as Google+ Local, Yelp, Bing Local and Yahoo Local can give your company a huge advantage. According to a new poll by market research firm Ipsos, 78 percent of Americans (aged 18-64) feel that online reviews influence their purchases. Additionally, having a solid number of positive online reviews can also have a significant impact on your search engine rankings.
Since both search engines and consumers are looking at your reviews to determine how you stack up against your competition, garnering some of those reviews is well worth a little time and effort.
Establish a profile on as many local business review sites as possible. Not only should you have a listing on these websites, it should be optimized to include contact info, a keyword-rich description and images, if the site permits.
Ask for a review at the right time. The best time to request a review from a client is usually right after business has been completed. The experience is fresh in their mind and they are still feeling pleased about your services.
Make writing a review easy for your customers. Provide a list of the review sites where you’ve established profiles, including hyperlinks to those sites. Link to those sites directly from your website and be sure to include links to those review profiles in your email signature when sending any follow-up emails.
Ask a loyal customer. Consider reaching out to former clients who you’ve developed relationships with. By personally asking a few long-term clients, you can create a strong base of positive reviews.
Engage your customer base. Responding to reviews, both good and bad, can grow loyalty and encourage repeat business. If it’s a positive review, thank your client publicly and link to the review on your website or on social media. Doing so shows that you appreciate the feedback and gives the rest of your audience an opportunity to read the positive review. Of course, it’s also important to respond to a negative review. Immediately reply publicly so prospects know that you’re concerned and are addressing any issues, then move the conversation offline.
Online customer reviews are a powerful tool that can be easily utilized to improve your search engine rankings, increase web traffic, and retain more clients.
Rita Chaires
SEO and Social Media Manager
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com
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