Digital marketing is in constant development. However, the importance of word of mouth is always the same. Who will we believe faster: a loved one or advertising? The answer is obvious. But in fact, people trust reviews more than the most truthful advertising. Positive reviews significantly increase the likelihood of buying a product or service of any local businesses.
On average, a customer reads 10 reviews before agreeing to a purchase. There is no doubt: a large number of high-quality reviews is crucial when making a purchase decision.
However, collecting reviews about your local company is easier than it seems. Just try to apply these techniques:
1. Collect Email Addresses
Obtaining an email address and phone number from a customer after a purchase is a big step towards a review.
Send a friendly email to your client and ask for an honest review of the work of your local business and your product. In the letter, indicate on which platform it is better to leave a review. This will make the task easier for the client, and he or she will be more willing to share the experience of interacting with your business.
You can use a direct link generator like Supple for Google. Such a link will not appear as spam or a virus, which may scare the client.
2. Use Advertisements to Grab the Attention of Customers
If possible, you can place banners or flyers in your local store. They will encourage buyers to leave reviews about you. Such information can also be placed on the check that you issue upon purchase.
Always strive to make things easier for your client. On an advertising banner, flier or receipt, place a qr-code with a link to the review page.
The desire to receive reviews will be a signal to your buyers. It means that you are interested in their opinion and want to improve the quality of your services.
3. Verbally Tell how Much You Value Honest Feedback
Your employees may regularly mention to customers that your company values their feedback. Especially if the client is satisfied. This applies to both store staff and customer support.
Of course, it is not worth reaching the point of absurdity. If customers are already in line, and the consultant repeats the same message: “Please leave a review about us.”
But in a friendly relationship with a client, an employee of your company has the right to ask: “It would be great if you agreed to leave a review about us.” In this case, the request for feedback will sound sincere, not assertive.
4. Set up Review Reminders on Your Site
The easier it is to leave reviews, the higher the chances of getting them. However, many companies do not simplify this process. But the main reason for the lack of reviews is laziness to make unnecessary movements. Why do they need this tedious process, which you can not do at all?
We need to make it as easy as possible to leave reviews. So on your site, place buttons or pop-ups (but not too annoying) with a call to go to the desired page and leave a review. This could be a page on your website or “My Business” on Google.
5. Offer to Fill out a Questionnaire
You can ask for an evaluation of the performance of your business immediately after the purchase. Customers may forget their promise to you to leave a review as soon as they leave your store. Therefore, you need to use a short questionnaire. Make up a short questionnaire with 3-5 questions. They can ask your clients to evaluate your work from 1 to 5 points. And below, leave a field so that the buyer can describe his experience working with you. Such a questionnaire can be scanned and posted on the company’s website.
Use Social Media
You can receive customer feedback through social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook.
You can ask an informal question in the post. This move allows customers to share funny stories in the form of testimonials. And at the same time, it helps to increase their engagement on your brand’s social networks.
7. Respond Thoughtfully to Every Review
No matter how busy you are, it is your duty to respond to a customer’s review. Even a short well-timed “thank you” can encourage customers to continue engaging with your business. Of course, it’s very important that your answers don’t look like they’re being answered by a robot. Ideally, your answer should be individual and unique.
The response to every review, good or bad, gives the impression that the company really cares about consumers. It also encourages new customers to take a moment and share their experience.
Don’t get discouraged by negative reviews. They help make your brand more alive and sincere. If all the reviews are sunlight and rainbows, then there is almost always something fishy behind it. People will begin to question the validity of these reviews.
Use bad reviews as an opportunity to improve your business and show you care about customer satisfaction. But follow the golden rule of responding to reviews – always respond and never respond harshly.
8. Delight Your Customers with Great Service
Serving your in-store shoppers is critical to the quantity and quality of reviews you get. If a customer is delighted with your product or service, they will feel compelled to leave a review.
If you are committed to providing the best possible customer experience, rest assured it will pay off.
So, if you haven’t started working with reviews yet, then now is the time to pay attention to online word of mouth. Customer reviews serve as one of the best social proof for your business. More often than not, online testimonials are the turning point when prospects turn into customers. Not to mention, reviews affect Google rankings. If you still have some questions, contact NONAME for more information.
