The vital, the good and the ugly. It is hard to deny the power of online reviews. How can businesses keep up with the feedback game?

The burden to choose

Choice. It’s a wonderful thing. But have you ever tried to find a carpet fitter, electrician or dog sitter online and been overwhelmed by all the options? Have you ever found yourself looking through online reviews to find the five stars that will make your decision simpler? Have you ever seen the word “terrible” pop up and had another reviewer confirm your opinion?

The consumer pack mentality

Although we may think of ourselves as independent beings, it is easy to mistakenly believe that this makes us autonomous and capable of making our own decisions. The truth is that consumers are influenced greatly by their peers, particularly in times of choice overload. In a study from 2021, 87% of respondents said they had read at least one review online before visiting a local business . 94% stated that a bad review had made them avoid doing business with the business. reviews are highly valued sources of online information. They are twice as likely to influence customer decisions than loyalty and 7.4 times more than traditional marketing.

Beyond online

Consumers are using reviews to help them make an informed purchase online. Research shows that 82% of shoppers use their smartphones to search for products and view reviews while also looking at the product in-store. Reviews are valuable to customers and critical for businesses. They can make the difference between an open wallet or a closed shop door.

We trust with good feedback

What lessons can businesses learn from these statistics? A good review is a valuable possession if it increases conversions or if customers are turned away by negative reviews. Positive feedback should be shared on social media. Even though it may not drive sales immediately, positive feedback on social media can strengthen a company’s credibility as well as build trust. Businesses and customers can build relationships with one another through the process of reviewing. This will result in better business over time.

Be grateful for the positive. React to the negative.

It is not a smart thing to ignore a positive review or not respond to a negative review. Businesses should not gloat or overdo it on social media. Instead, they should encourage positive interaction and share praise. Negative reviews can be used to show that they care and are open to constructive criticism. Reviews are a two-way street. They spark dialogue, generate attention, and give businesses the opportunity to adapt and improve. They all serve to not only engage customers but to ideally keep them.

The star element

What kind of reviews should businesses look for? What is the difference between a great review and an outstanding one in terms of impact? Star ratings are a visual tool that allows consumers to make informed and confident purchases. A minimum of 3.4 stars is required for customers to consider engaging with businesses. If there aren’t many reviews, it can have a negative impact on their decision to make a purchase.

Frequency key

The star factor is not as important as the number of reviews. According to a Stanford University study, people will choose Amazon products with the most reviews over those of their competitors even if they have lower average scores. A higher number of reviews means better SEO. Fresh feedback helps to drive the content machine, and keeps businesses on the algorithm radar.

Relevance and consistency

Brands must be consistent in order to maintain and build a positive reputation. Consumer uncertainty can result from customer reviews that praise a business but tell others to stay away. If a customer is met with a chorus of praises and criticisms, they can form an opinion quickly and act confidently. They also carry more weight if they have recent reviews. A recent survey found that 85% of consumers believe that reviews older than three months are not relevant. Five stars. Frequent. Consistent. Recently. These four elements are the key to building a positive online reputation.

Staying true

Finally, there’s authenticity. Businesses cannot just show their positive reviews to everyone. They have to verify that they are authentic. TotalRetail found that 36% of shoppers wouldn’t buy a product if they suspect it has fake reviews. 28% would not trust the brand again. Trust is essential to any relationship, particularly between customers and businesses. Keep it real.

Make it simple 

The internet has made everything possible: tele-health, organic grocery delivery and a new car delivered right to our doorstep. Online reviews are a crucial part of the buying process. They can affect everything, from trust and loyalty to sales and SEO. It is hard to deny the power of online reviews. However, 20% of customers have never written one, despite reading reviews often.

To spread the love

Studies have shown that consumers are more likely to give feedback after having had a positive experience with a business. Businesses should establish a review strategy and be proactive. This includes encouraging customers to leave feedback and making it easy for them and others to spread the love. If you are looking for one, check out our top ecommerce marketing agencies in NYC in America and best ecommerce companies in Australia Directories.