Why Are Online Reviews Important?
Trust and Credibility
Social Proof
Informed Decision-Making
Reducing Risk
Comparative Analysis
7 Steps You Can Take To Get Great Reviews
Request Feedback on Various Platforms
Some of the most effective ones include:
- Amazon
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Google My Business
- Yelp
- Yellowpages
- Trust Pilot
- Glassdoor
- GoodFirms
In addition to these well-known platforms, it's worth considering niche review sites tailored to your industry. For instance, if you operate in the world of fitness, specialized review sites dedicated to workout gear or fitness programs could prove highly effective.
Seek Reviews within your Email Correspondence
Work on Your Timing - Know When To Ask
So, what's the trick? You've got to get into the groove of your customer journey. Understand when and where your customers interact with your brand. This insight is golden because it allows you to pinpoint the most impactful touchpoints and channels, helping you drive engagement effectively.
- After a product order.
- When someone's re-ordering a product.
- When they've used a social media tag.
- After leaving a comment on a blog or landing page.
When they've downloaded a valuable asset like an ebook.
After a customer has referred someone.
The secret sauce here is to catch them at a moment of satisfaction or fulfillment, so they'll be more inclined to share that positivity in their review. Timing really is everything!
Offer Incentives and Acknowledgement for Reviews
If you're finding that the review faucet isn't flowing as you'd like, or if the idea of appreciating your customers appeals to you, why not consider spicing things up with some incentives?
Let's face it, we all hold our time in high regard. So, why not sweeten the deal and give folks a solid reason to drop a review? Incentives like discounts, coupons, gift cards, or even throwing in some exciting contests can be fantastic motivators. And here's the kicker – these incentives might just come full circle and boost your sales when those happy reviewers return for more.
Maximize Your Website’s Potential
For those of you running ecommerce sites, here's a nifty idea: think about adding live chat functionality. It's like having a direct line to instant feedback from your customers. Plus, consider employing chatbots. They're a lifesaver when it comes to fielding questions and automating responses on platforms like Messenger, Instagram, SMS, and email.
These features cater to the "I want everything right now" mentality, which is increasingly common. They not only add convenience but also reduce response times, ultimately supercharging your customer service. A win-win if you ask me!
Publicize Your Received Reviews
Take a cue from Wanderlust Adventures, the travel agency that prominently features customer testimonials on its homepage and dedicates a 'Review' section under the 'Our Story' tab.
Engage with Reviews, Both Favorable and Critical
So, here's the drill: listen to what the reviewer is saying and come back with a solution or an opportunity to connect with your company to make things right. It's all about turning lemons into lemonade!