Better online reviews are now a key consideration for every organization, brand, doctor, lawyer, contractor, caterer, hotelier, restaurant owner and human resource department. And for good reason:
- 84% of patients use reviews to evaluate physicians
- 81% of females would not visit a restaurant which reports cleanliness issues from a review
- 76% of travelers said they would pay more for a hotel with a higher review score
- 72% of consumers say that positive reviews make them more likely to trust a local business
- 60% of job seekers would not apply to a company with a one-star rating
- 5%-9% increase in revenue for every additional star a business gets
The facts show better online review influence our buying decisions and impact revenue for every kind of business. But any business is not above getting a negative review and figuring out how to deal with it. Some even resort to writing their own positive reviews. Do they work? Hardly.
- Over 30% of users assume reviews are fake if there are no negative reviews
- 27% of people trust online reviews only if they believe they are authentic
- 20% of online reviews on Yelp are fake
How does a business get better online review authentically? Jessica Leone, an unapologetic word nerd, bookworm and Florida Gators football fan, let us know in an infographic she created, How to Get More Positive Reviews (and Deal with the Negative).
Here is a brief summary how to get more positive reviews and deal with the negative.
- HAVE A CLEAR CALL-TO-ACTION ON YOUR SITE: Make it easy for people to see and go to where they can write a review.
- SAY THANK YOU: A simple thank you page to customers with a request they leave a review goes a long way.
- SEND A PERSONALIZE TEXT OR EMAIL: Ask if they will leave a review when your business and their experiences are still fresh.
- SOCIAL MEDIA IS YOUR FRIEND: Use a display plug-in to share social media reviews.
- FACE-TO-FACE: Asking in person for a review is 7X more effective than asking by email.
- TALK TO VENDORS: For B2B industries, ask vendors and suppliers. 7 out of 10 people will leave a review if they are asked.
- CONSIDER AN INCENTIVE: Zappos Rewards Program gives members 100 points toward products for leaving a review.
- TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Ask consumers to leave a review when they are likely to be at their happiest. American Express found a happy customer will tell 9 other people about their experience.
- SEND A FOLLOW UP: 20% to 25% of Esty purchases result in a review because they send a follow up email or text.
- ALWAYS RESPOND: Whether positive or negative, respond to reviews. Harvard Business Review found hotels that respond receive 12% more reviews and their ratings increase.
- REACH OUT TO A NEGATIVE REVIEWER DIRECTLY: 78% of consumers who receive a response believe the business cares about them.
- SPREAD POSITIVE REVIEWS: Share and promote reviews on your website and social networks.
Here is the infographic.
Are these ways useful to you to get better online reviews?
