How To Get More Local Business Reviews & Boost Your Clients' SEO

As an agency owner, you surely understand the importance of online reviews for your business. A recent study by Bright Local showed that more than 77% customers 'always' or 'regularly' read online reviews when browsing for local businesses. It means that if you're a local business, managing your reputation and getting more positive customer reviews is more important than ever.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of local reviews for your business and offer tips on boosting your clients' SEO with good review management.

Why Online Reviews Are Crucial for Businesses?

The internet has changed how consumers make purchasing decisions. In the past, word-of-mouth was the primary way people learned about products and services. Today, potential customers are much more likely to read online reviews before purchasing.

It is especially true for local businesses. People searching for a local business often read and trust online reviews more than traditional advertising promises. Therefore, local companies need to have a strong online presence and a careful review management system in place.

There are a few reasons why online reviews are so important for local businesses. Some of these are:

A. Potential customers can learn a lot about a business from its reviews. Reviews can provide insights into the quality of a business’s products or services and its customer satisfaction.

B. Online reviews help potential customers decide which businesses to patronize. With so many businesses competing for attention, it can be difficult for potential customers to know which ones are worth their time and money. Reading reviews from other customers can help them narrow down their options and choose the businesses that are most likely to meet their needs.

C. Online reviews help local businesses build trust with potential customers. People are more likely to believe what other consumers say than what businesses say about themselves. Therefore, local businesses can create an aura of trustworthiness to attract more customers by ensuring robust review management.

Image Source: AgencyAnalytics

In conclusion, online reviews are crucial for local businesses. They provide potential customers with valuable information, help them make informed decisions, and build trust. Local businesses that want to succeed must ensure a strong online presence and actively manage their reputation.

The Importance of Good Review Management for Businesses

It's no secret that online reviews can make or break a business. In today's age of instant information and social media, a bad review can quickly become a viral sensation, costing a business its hard-earned reputationāand customers.

That's why it's more important than ever for businesses to take control of their online review management. By tracking, monitoring, and responding to good and bad reviews, companies can protect their brand reputation, build customer trust, and improve their bottom line.

Here's a closer look at the importance of good review management for businesses:

1. Builds Customer Trust

In today's digital world, customers are inundated with choices. And when it comes to making a purchase, they often turn to online reviews to help them make an informed decision.

By actively managing your online reviews, you can show potential customers that you're engaged with your customers and care about their experience. It builds trust and credibility, which can ultimately lead to more sales.

Image Source: Mention

2. Improves SEO Rankings

When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), online reviews can be extremely beneficial. Google uses hundreds of ranking factors to determine where your website appears in search results, and online reviews are one of them.

Moz found that websites with positive reviews are almost twice as likely to rank higher in search results than those with no reviews.

Also, BrightLocal found that in 2020, 79% customers trusted online reviews as much as the recommendations of family and friends. So not only will actively managing your online reviews help improve your local rankings, but it will also help build trust with potential customersāa total win-win!

Image Source: Mention

3. Increases Sales & ROI

Businesses want two things: more traffic and more sales. Luckily, online reviews can help with both! Studies have shown that positive online reviews can increase website traffic by up to 10%, while negative reviews can decrease it by up to 15%.

Moreover, 95% of consumers say that positive online reviews influence their buying decisions, while 86% say that negative online reviews influence their decision not to buy. So, managing your online reputation is essential whether you're trying to increase traffic or sales (or both!).

Tips to Boost Your Clients' SEO With Positive Reviews

If you're looking to boost your clients' SEO, one of the best things you can do is encourage them to get more positive reviews. Not only will this help improve their ranking in search engines, but it will also make them more visible to potential customers.

1. Provide Incentives

There are a few ways to get more positive reviews, but one of the most effective is offering incentives. It could be anything from a discount on their next purchase to a freebie for writing a review. Whatever you decide, make sure it will motivate your customers to take the time to write a review.

2. Ensure Accessibility

Another great way to get more positive reviews is to make it easy for customers to write them. For example, if you have an online store, include a link to your review page in the confirmation email customers receive after making a purchase. You can also include links on your social media accounts and any other marketing materials you use.

3. Respond to Every Review

Finally, don't forget to respond to all the reviews you receive, both positive and negative. It shows that you value your customer's opinions and are willing to take feedback seriously. It can also help build customer relationships and encourage them to leave even more positive reviews.

Tip: To build trust in a business and develop its credibility through its online presence, you can align local SEO tactics and online reputation management strategies.

How to Encourage Customers to Leave Positive Reviews?

Online reviews can make or break a business. A quick glance at Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor will show that potential customers often consult reviews before purchasing or booking a service.

Image Source: Mention

A study by BrightLocal found that 7 out of 10 consumers will leave a review for a business if asked to. So, how can you encourage your customers to leave positive reviews? Below are some tips:

1. Provide Excellent Customer Service

This one should be a no-brainer. Your customers are more likely to leave positive reviews if you provide excellent customer service. Make sure your staff is friendly and helpful, and go the extra mile to make your customers' experience with your business memorable.

2. Ask For Feedback

If you want customers to leave positive reviews, you need to ask them for feedback. At the end of each transaction, simply ask your customer if they are satisfied with their experience and if they would recommend your business to others. If they say yes, ask them if they would leave a review on your Google Business page or other platforms. Chances are your customers will say yes, and you'll have a stream of positive reviews to bolster your business!

3. Respond to Negative Reviews

If you receive a negative review, don't ignore itārespond to it! Thank the customer for their feedback and try to resolve the issue they had. By responding publicly to negative reviews, you show potential customers that you care about your customers' experiences and will make things right if something goes wrong.

What to Do if You Receive a Negative Review?

A negative review can be a frustrating experience, whether you're a business owner, a creator, or anyone else. But it's important to remember that not all feedback is created equal. A well-meaning negative review can be helpful, while a malicious one can do more harm than good.

If you receive a negative review, you should first take a deep breath and calm down. It's easy to let emotions get the better of us when we feel like we're being attacked, but it's important to remember that not all feedback is personal. Once you've calmed down, you can assess the situation objectively.

It can be helpful if the review is constructive and based on valid concerns. Use it as an opportunity to improve your product or service. If the reviewer is venting their frustrations, it's best to ignore it. Responding to trolling or negativity only serves to fuel the fire, so it's best to let it go.

There are times when a negative review can't be ignored. If someone is making false claims or spreading misinformation about your business, it's important to set the record straight. It's also important to remain calm and professional while doing so.

Remember that a negative review is not the end of the world, no matter what kind of complaint the reviewer had. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow, or let it roll off your back and move on with your day.

Image Source: Trustmary

The Importance of Monitoring Your Online Reputation

It's no secret that our reputations follow us online. 84% of employers use social media to screen candidates in the hiring process, and 70% of adults have Googled themselves. With so much at stake, it's important to be proactive about managing your online reputation as a business owner.

Here are four reasons why you should start monitoring your online reputation today:

1. To Stay Ahead of the Curve

In today's digital age, it's more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve regarding your online reputation. By monitoring your online presence and reviewing the things customers are saying about you, you can identify and address any negative content before it has a chance to do serious damage.

2. To Protect Yourselves From Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious problem, and it's only getting worse. By monitoring your online reputation, you can help protect yourselves and your business from identity thieves who may try to use your or your customers' personal information for nefarious purposes.

3. To Keep Your Clients Happy

As we have established above, potential customers screen your business using social media or online review platforms before making a purchase. By monitoring your online reputation, you can ensure that your social media profiles and public review pages reflect your business in the best light possible.

4. To Maintain Your Privacy

As we all become more connected online, it's important to remember that not everything we share should be public information. By monitoring your online reputation, you can ensure that the only data that is public about your business is what you want to share.

Online reviews are crucial if you're a business owner. They can make or break your business, especially if you're a local one.

It means that managing your online reputation is key to success. But how do you do that? Here are some tips:

• Ensure that you have a strong review management strategy in place. It means actively monitoring what’s being said about your business online and responding to positive and negative reviews on time.
• Encourage customers to leave positive reviews by offering incentives like discounts or coupons. You can also make it easy for them to leave reviews by providing links on your website or social media pages.
• If you receive a negative review, don’t panic. Instead, take the time to respond professionally and try to resolve the issue. If necessary, reach out to the customer offline to continue the conversation.

Monitoring your online reputation is essential for any business owner. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your business is on the right track and has only good reviews to encourage potential customers to interact with your brand.

Summing Up

Online reputation management is the need of the hour, and is especially crucial for local businesses. By ensuring a pristine reputation, businesses can attract more potential customers and keep the existing ones happy.

On the other hand, a negative or bad online reputation can do more harm than you imagine. Not only will it prevent potential customers from reaching out to you, but it can also affect existing customer relationships and even impact your bottom line.

Monitoring and carefully responding to online reviews, both positive and negative, is essential to keep your business flourishing despite all the noise.

If you're still unsure of what to do, get in touch with us today!