Generating Positive Reviews with Richard Uzelac
It is a well-known fact among marketers that a company’s online reputation is crucial, regardless of whether your client runs a small restaurant, a software company, or an HVAC company. Often, for customers, the first point is the business reviews to decide if their services or products are likely they are going to choose to purchase hence why you should pay importance to your business reviews.
Should you remain unconvinced, behold these reasons why you should bother getting positive reviews:
1. How Positive and Negative Feedback Can Make or Break Products and Services
In the world of online shopping, where consumers are spoiled for choice, the power of reviews cannot be underestimated. As per a remarkable report by PowerReviews in the year 2021, an astonishingly high percentage of over 99.9% of customers are known to read reviews before embarking on their online shopping journey. The influence of positive and negative reviews alike on the minds of these discerning consumers can make or break the fate of any product or service.
- The Number of Reviews, The Better
They say the more reviews, the better. Yet, recent research has unearthed certain situations where consumers tend to cast a shadow of doubt on the authenticity of reviews. Hence, one must remain vigilant and mindful of these subtleties. For example, if the reviewer uses a common pseudonym like John Doe or if the reviews are with similar content.
- Review as Social Proof
Social proof assures hesitant shoppers. Customers want additional context to reduce returns. It cites a survey by Shopify that reveals the average conversion rates for various social media websites, with Facebook having the highest rate at 1.85%. Creating social proof for your store can help visitors eliminate skepticism and build credibility for your brand, ultimately converting first-time visitors into buyers.
Get ready to instil trust in your business, create meaningful social proof and give your brand some love.
Richard Uzelac Top 10 Recommendations for Getting Outstanding Product Reviews
Let us dive right in and explore these tips together:
1. Putting Reviews on Your Website.
Prominently display reviews on the website, including on the homepage and specific product pages. Creating a separate page for testimonials is also recommended, as long as it fits the product’s overall website layout.
2. Social Media and Local Listings Presence
Have a presence on social media platforms where customers are likely to be, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to encourage honest feedback. It is recommended to make these accounts easily accessible from the store’s website. For brick-and-mortar businesses, having a profile on review sites like Yelp and Google Places is also important.
3. Follow Up with Your Buyers
It is advisable to follow up with your buyers by sending them an email after their purchase. This is because the experience is still fresh in their minds, making it more likely for them to provide a review.
4. Ask Spot-On Questions
Ask the right questions to elicit positive reviews from customers. This involves understanding the target audience’s interests, concerns, and pain points in the industry to align the questions accordingly. Asking relevant and meaningful questions can lead to valuable testimonials.
5. Don’t Leave Your Customers After Getting Positive Review
One way to obtain meaningful social proof is by reaching out to customers who have left glowing reviews about your product or service. When you come across such reviews on platforms like Yelp or social media platforms like Instagram, it is recommended that you respond with a simple “thank you.” This small gesture of gratitude can go a long way in building a connection with your customers and may even encourage them to leave more reviews in the future. Moreover, responding to positive reviews can also help to strengthen your brand’s reputation and credibility. By showing appreciation for positive feedback, you are demonstrating that you value your customer’s opinions and are determined to give them the best experience. This, then, could lead to increased customer loyalty and may even attract new customers who are impressed by your level of customer service.
6. On the other side, “Don’t leave negative reviews, too,” says Richard Uzelac
Contact those customers who leave you negative reviews. Ignoring these won’t make them go away. Ignoring negative feedback won’t make it go away, so try to address the issue, especially if other customers have raised the same concern.
7. Running a Contest and Rewarding Those Who Leave a Review
Simple social media contest ideas: Asking for hashtags or quick notes can be effective in marketing your business. Additionally, rewarding customers who leave reviews with a coupon without telling them in advance can enhance their experience and encourage more positive reviews. WHO DOESN’T LOVE SURPRISES?
8. Culture of Gratitude and Credibility
When posting customer testimonials, it is crucial to include their name and picture to show gratitude and add credibility to their review. Additionally, including the source of the review, such as Yelp, can inspire other customers to provide their feedback. Through this process, businesses can create a culture of gratitude and constructive criticism that fosters growth and improvement.
9. Thoughtful Gesture Leads to Favorable Review
Creating memorable gestures, like maybe a simple personalized “Thank You” note – will leave them an impression of feeling valued and appreciated. You might notice in customer service or support, you probably often hear “thanks” during every interaction — even if it’s just giving you their account number. This phrase “thank you” is more than just a courtesy. Remember, every interaction and decision revolves around the customers!
Takeaway:
“Although it may seem that striving for perfection will protect your business from negative reviews, it is impossible to avoid them entirely in the online world. People searching for reviews are interested in a company’s weaknesses and areas for improvement. In fact, minor downfalls can make a business seem more trustworthy and credible. On the other hand, an overly positive rating can be viewed with skepticism by consumers. Therefore, it’s essential to embrace constructive criticism and strive for improvement rather than striving for an unattainable perfect rating.” – Richard Uzelac
