Get More Customer Reviews to Grow Your Business

Alan Robezzoli • January 30, 2023

Customer reviews are at the heart of any successful reputation management strategy. Think about what you did the last time you purchased a product or service. The chances are good that one of your first steps was to go to Google. You probably compared the number of ratings and the number of stars each product or business received. And you probably read a couple of online reviews to see what other people thought about the product or service.

How Can Customer Reviews Help You Grow Your Business?

It's How Today's Consumer Shops - According to Entrepreneur, 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. Why? Because reviews provide credibility to your company and your product or service. In fact, 72% of consumers say that positive reviews make them trust a business more, and 88% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. And trust/credibility translates to more sales. 72% of consumers will take action only after reading a positive review, and they are likely to spend 31% more on a business with excellent reviews.
Reviews Improve Ranking – Reviews have become one of the most important factors that Google looks at when ranking your page. Reviews on your website also add valuable text and keywords that can improve your page's ranking. Furthermore, customer reviews on Google, social media, and other websites typically generate inbound links (aka backlinks) to your website – another factor Google looks at regarding a page's ranking.

How do You Get More Customer Reviews?

Ask Your Customers – A recent survey found that about one in three people surveyed left a review of an experience they've had with a business. Increase that number by simply asking your customers for reviews in email campaigns, in person, etc. According to that same survey, "12% of consumers say they left a review every time a business prompted them to do so in the last 12 months. 35% of consumers say they left a review at least half of the times they were prompted to do so by a business in the last 12 months."
Get bloggers to review your products – Bloggers may be willing to review your product and will most likely include a link back to your website. To get more blogger reviews, you may want to create an affiliate or associate program – an arrangement "in which an online merchant Web site pays affiliate Web sites a commission to send them traffic. These affiliate Web sites post links to the merchant site and are paid according to a particular agreement."
Optimize your website for reviews – Make it easy for customers to leave and find reviews on your website. Make sure your website is mobile optimized. Publish both good and bad reviews (see below).
Utilize PMI's reputation management system - PMI's reputation management system makes it easy to request and respond to reviews and minimize the impact of the occasional poor review! In addition, we provide a way to automatically display reviews on your website, so your website is constantly updated with fresh information, which is great for improving your search results / SEO! Our reputation management system is super easy to use! Here's how it works.

What Should You Do With Negative Reviews?

The fear of negative reviews is a roadblock for many businesses. And with good reason, because a bunch of bad reviews can affect sales. However, Oberlo reports that 62% of consumers say they will not buy from brands that censor online reviews, and Search Engine Land found that nine in ten customers are more likely to overlook a negative review if the business responds adequately.

So here is what you need to do when you see a negative review:

Take it seriously
Respond quickly
Answer Thoughtfully and honestly
Be kind and keep it appropriate
Customize each response
Never get personal
Take it offline when possible
Be thankful and appreciative
Go the extra mile when possible
Take the proper action to correct the issue
Use what you learn to improve your product or service

The Easy Way to Get Quality Reviews on Google, Facebook, and Other Social Media Platforms

Getting quality reviews on your website, Google, Facebook, and other social media platforms doesn't have to be like pulling teeth! PMI's reputation management system can automate and simplify the process!