Reviews play a huge role in managing the reputation of a business. More consumers are reading online reviews than ever before. Nearly nine out of ten customers read online reviews before making a purchase, which is a number you can’t afford to miss out on.
As reviews are so critical, it makes sense for businesses to do everything they can to ensure that their ratings and reviews are positive. That’s where reputation management comes in. It’s all about controlling how your business is perceived by others (and helping fix things when they go wrong). If you own or manage a business, here’s why reputation management should be at the top of your marketing strategy.
Builds Trust and Credibility
Positive reviews play a significant role in whether people trust a business. Review sites like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor have become so influential that they can help you attract more customers. It can also help you retain and build trust with your existing customers. Asking for feedback from everyone who comes into contact with your business and responding to the negative feedback can boost credibility.
Enhances SEO
Customers place a lot of emphasis on online reviews, and search engine algorithms are well aware of this. Your customers are likely to scan the first few pages of search engine results while conducting an online product search. A reputation management plan can help you improve your local profiles and listings, which in turn will improve your search engine rankings.
Controls Negative Reviews
62% of consumers don’t trust brands that censor their reviews. Reputation management can help with this since it typically involves responding to all kinds of reviews—both positive and negative. It might seem counterproductive, but paying attention to negative reviews offers your business an opportunity to turn a customer’s experience around, while showing potential customers that you truly care.
Enables You to Grow and Retain Customers
When it comes to attracting customers and keeping them coming back for more, reviews are critical. They are an indicator of the quality of your product or service and can help you stand out from the competition. Businesses that receive several reviews are likely to see their reputation improve over time.
Enhances Image
As mentioned before, reputation management is built on credibility, which is a tenet of brand loyalty and customer retention. A strong and trustworthy brand image will influence a consumer’s choice to purchase a product or service, and reviews are a part of that image. By investing in reputation management, you can control the online narrative about your brand.
People trust reviews because, ideally, they are authentic and honest recommendations from other customers. Rather than directly trust what the business says, potential consumers will always take past customers’ words to heart. If you need help managing your online reputation, look no further. AMP Studios is here to help you with all your reputation management needs! Get in touch today to take your business to the next level.