How to get online reviews for your small business? Here are the 10 simplest and most effective ways to get online reviews for your small business.
Did you know that 93% U.S consumers read online reviews before making a purchase? That’s a number that just can’t be ignored.
In this piece, I’ll be covering:
- Where to collect online reviews.
- And how to collect online reviews.
If those are things you’d wish to learn, let’s get started.
Keep “Honesty” your #1 priority
Before we start, you need to pay special attention here.
Most of the tips here involve “asking” for reviews. At times, rewards and payments are involved as well.
Paying for reviews obviously doesn’t sound good. Well, we’ve go to make it not sound bad.
So, whenever you ask for a review, using any of the modes mentioned below, make sure you mention “honest review” so you do not hurt your products’ integrity.
You’ve got to outline that you only seek a “review” and not a “positive review”. It can be negative if the user/buyer isn’t satisfied with the product.
This has additional benefits. Those who get your review request will now trust your reviews more as they’ll know that the reviews, despite being incentivized, are still honest.
Moreover, posting or asking for “fake” reviews is a crime. So by sticking to “honest” reviews, you also avoid legal hassles.
Signup at business review sites
Before you use the tactics I’ve shared, you need a place where users can review you, right?
It’s important to get reviews, but, it’s more important to get these reviews at places where people “see” them.
I mean sure the most logical place to get these online reviews seems like your website. But, not everyone interested in your product will go to your website to check the reviews, will they?
So, which are the places people check for product reviews?
Google Business
Website: https://www.google.com/business/
The most obvious choice is Google, for multiple reasons. First, it’s for “any and all products/services”. You can be a multi-million dollar company, or an individual offering plumbing services, Google lets you list your business and get reviewed.
Then, it’s free. It’s also extremely easy to setup. Finally, those who wish to leave you reviews can do so with ease as well.
It’s also the most “feature-rich” free online review platform.
Meaning, you can respond to user reviews directly. You can also list your menu, timings, pricing and even contact information. If you list a number, Google will let users call you directly. This may help boost sales.
You can even add your logo and photos so customers get a better idea of the product, without even going to your Website.
Then, there’s detailed insights. You get to learn what keywords lead people to your listing. This can even be used to improve your SEO.
It also shows you insights for your call button, bookings and lot more.
And then, Google has its own reward system. Users get ranked higher and get other rewards when they review a business on Google. This is like Google working for you, for free. Worth it, isn’t it?
Yelp
Website: https://www.yelp.com/
Yelp is arguably one of the biggest, most-used online review platforms on the planet. With over 200million hits/month, it’s one of the biggest exposures your small business can get.
(That screenshot is from Semrush. You simply enter your competitors’ URL, it gives you their traffic, primary traffic sources, ads, ad-spend, best-selling products and everything else).
It too, alike Google Business is for any and all business. Regardless of your product industry or service type, you can get listed and be reviewed on Yelp.
Some other places to get your small business listed:
- TripAdvisor: This isn’t for all business types but more for