In today’s world, online reviews become an important part of interacting with how customers decide what to buy. According to a study, 91% of people read online reviews before making a purchase or visiting a business. Local businesses should have a strong online reputation with lots of good reviews from customers.

But how do you get more customer reviews for your local business? Let’s discuss the 5 proven techniques that can help you get more customer reviews and improve your business’s online reputation.

5 Proven Techniques To Get More Customer Reviews

Simply Feedback Process

To boost the number of customer reviews for your local business, you need to simplify the feedback process for customers. You need to manage your online reputation and respond to customer feedback, so make sure you’ve claimed your business on major review platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Add links to your business’s review profiles on review sites in your email signature and on your website to make it easier for people who have done business with you to find the review sites and leave feedback afterward. You can also use in-store signage, such as signs in your restaurant or store or QR codes, to encourage customers to leave reviews on specific review sites.

Maximize the chances of getting customer reviews

A good time to ask for a review is right after a positive interaction with a customer, like when they just bought something or were very happy with the service they got. The review platform you choose should be appropriate for your business type. For instance, Yelp might be better for a restaurant, while Trustpilot might be better for an online store. To get more customers to respond to your request for a review, make your message personal and talk about specific parts of their experience with your business. This will make your message more genuine and personal. Provide customers with easy-to-follow instructions and direct links to the appropriate review platform to make leaving a review as painless as possible for them.

Incentivize customers to leave reviews

Offering incentives like a price cut or freebie in exchange for reviews is a good strategy. You could also hold a review contest with a good prize to get customers to write reviews and share them on social media. Customers who leave frequent reviews can also be given discounts or other benefits. This will help you build a community of loyal reviewers who talk about your brand. Finally, make sure the review process is user-friendly and stress the importance of feedback to your business. Customers are more likely to recommend your business to others if they have a good experience.

Respond to reviews – both positive and negative

knowing how to effectively respond to both positive and negative reviews can make all the difference. Responding to positive reviews with thanks and genuine appreciation for the reviewer’s support can help build a strong sense of trust and loyalty to your brand. Conversely, negative reviews require a more empathetic approach. You can turn a bad experience into a good one and demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction by directly addressing their complaints and providing actionable answers. Your company’s reputation and your ability to attract new consumers depend on your ability to maintain a professional demeanor and treat reviewers with respect.

Leverage social media to get more reviews

To maximize the benefits of social media, one strategy is to ask for and respond to customer feedback on various platforms. Get your customers talking about your company by linking them to their own reviews on social media. Also, making content that specifically asks for feedback can help your customers understand the benefits of leaving a review, such as helping others make better buying decisions. Feedback, both positive and negative, can be addressed in a constructive manner via social media. This demonstrates to customers that you value their feedback and are dedicated to satisfying their needs. Increasing your online visibility and positive reputation through social media review collection will encourage customers to trust you and return.