Brick & Mortar Shop? Three Reasons To Be Proactive About User Generated Reviews
When you have a brick and mortar shop, you do everything you can to get people through the door in order to make a purchase. After all, if you don’t have customers, then you don’t have a successful business.
With a physical business, your online reputation is extremely important. Today’s consumers are no longer just passing by a store and deciding to head on in and check it out. Instead, they’re using the Internet to research different places in the area and different products they’re interested in, and then using this information to make a smarter buying decision.
Along with company websites, customers are turning to online review sites in order to influence their decision. They’re using the reviews and experiences of other people to help them determine where exactly to spend their money, and if you’re not proactive about user generated reviews, you’re company will not be successful.
1. User generated reviews have an impact on your online reputation.
Your online reputation is extremely important, and online reviews play a major role in your online reputation. When customers are constantly discussing how great you are and sharing their wonderful experiences with your business, it gives your company a great online reputation. Now, when people come across your business (or even look it up specifically), they’ll be bombarded with wonderful stories that will entice them to visit your establishment.
However, if these reviews are bad, it will create a negative online reputation and could have a negative impact on your company’s success. When you’re proactive about user-generated reviews, you’ll be able to monitor your online reputation and tailor your marketing efforts appropriately.
2. User generated reviews can boost community engagement.
Online review sites allow you to respond to customer reviews, and this can help boost your community engagement. When your company responds to a positive review, it makes your customer service stand out much more, and this attracts customers to your business. Plus, it allows you to start a conversation with customers that enjoy your business, and community engagement can help further your success.
When you respond to negative reviews, it also shows customers that you care about what they think. This also makes your company stand out and even shows the reviewer that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to change their mind. Sometimes simply showing a customer that you’re more than just some big corporation can improve their thoughts about your company and show other customers that you care.
3. User generated reviews can help you learn how to better your company.
What most companies fail to realize is that online reviews aren’t a nuisance—they’re a learning tool. Think of online reviews as an insight into your customers’ minds, and use online reviews to improve your business. For example, if you receive multiple negative reviews about the same issue, then you’ll know that this specific issue needs to be addressed. Maybe your reviews complain about dirty bathrooms, unpleasant employees or a poor quality product. By fixing these issues, you’ll better your company and keep customers coming back.
Guest Author: Travis Biggs is a freelance writer and an online reputation management consultant with SEOMap.com. Travis shares his experience and tips by writing articles that are educational and entertaining.
