We’re all guilty of slipping into trends, whether we like it or not. People tend to imitate the crowd’s actions, which is why man-buns, tube socks, and bedazzled jeans remained fashionable way past their sell-by date.
Individuals usually assume a group of people is more informed or “cool” than they are. This is known as social proof.
So, how does this relate to customer reviews as a source of leads?
Reviews are social proof for your customers. When your target audience sees that a slew of other people have tried your business/product and raved about it, they’re more likely to believe them. After all, why wouldn’t they? It’s probably something to brag about if over a thousand people think your product is fantastic!
But we haven’t even touched on why online reviews are so effective. Below are some of the most significant advantages of online reviews and some pointers on how to encourage clients to leave online reviews. But, before we get into the meat of the matter, let’s go through the basics of the relationship between online reviews and SEO.
SEO and Online Reviews
Let’s be clear: online reviews do impact your SEO. We’re not just stating this because we’re the best digital marketing firm. According to Bright Local, search engines consider the quality and number of your reviews when determining your search ranking position.
So, with so many review platforms to choose from, how do you decide which ones to prioritize? The idea is to give Google reviews high importance. After all, Google is the most popular search engine, with about 92 percent of the global search engine market share.
Online reviews and SEO are linked because they both aim to help people locate the correct items and services as quickly as possible. According to research, one of the top two search ranking indicators for landing a slot on the local three-pack is Google reviews.
While all web evaluations play a role in Google’s search and Google My Business (GMB) rankings, Google reviews can help you rank higher in both. With that in mind, let’s look at how using these reviews might benefit your company.
Online Reviews Have 6 Advantages
Getting more reviews for your brand and items has only advantages. Here are six things to think about.
They increase your visibility
Google appreciates it when a company has a lot of reviews. You might rank better in search engine results if you have more reviews. Because reviews show you’ve met your customers’ expectations in the past, search engines will regard you as an expert in your field. Even better, you’ll be noticed by a much larger number of individuals online. When 86 percent of consumers use the internet to search for a business, visibility is critical.
They build a foundation of trust
Not only will search engines trust you more if you have more visibility, but a collection of positive reviews will make it easier for buyers to trust you—88 percent of shoppers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
Before even evaluating your goods, the majority of clients will look at your reviews. As a result, having only a few reviews or a rating of fewer than four stars might substantially hurt your prospects of converting leads into consumers.
This is where social proof comes into play. You’ll have a hard time keeping new folks around if only a tiny percentage of individuals seem to trust you in their reviews.
They have a direct impact on your sales
It should go without saying that more customers equal more sales, but there’s evidence to back it up. When compared to those who don’t, businesses that include reviews in their marketing plan find an 18% increase in sales.
If your prospects appreciate what they see in your reviews, they’ll be more than willing to buy your product.
They allow you to interact with customers
You can learn just as much from customer reviews as you can from your consumers. You can browse your reviews to see how your firm is perceived in general.
You may have actual engagement with customers by responding to customer evaluations, which is difficult to achieve when the purchasing experience is all digital. And who knows, what you discover from your interactions can drive you to improve your products or your marketing strategy.
They provide you with free publicity
Every business wishes for their customers to compliment them on their product or service. In internet evaluations, those fantasies come true. These testimonials frequently include engaging stories and unique experiences with your firm that pique the curiosity of your prospects. As more people read your evaluations, they will become more aware of your company’s name and products, raising your brand awareness.
They can give your brand some personality
People can be rather amusing. And when the human condition’s humor is communicated on the internet, it might help to illuminate your brand in a positive way.
For 80% of consumers, online reviews have influenced them while making a purchase decision, highlighting the need for businesses to nurture, manage, and respond to online reviews. At The Hyper Fuel, we offer online review management services that help your business attract more reviews and sales, as well as happy & satisfied clients.
