There is little doubt that small businesses need all of the cost effective or even free marketing methods they can possibly have. This is one of the most important reasons that the customer review is so important. It is a highly effective type of review that can turn heads and get attention of prospective clients. Did you know that 63 percent of consumers indicate they are more likely to make a purchase from a company they have not worked with if the product or company has ratings and reviews.
The question many business owners have, then, is how to get reviews.
It can take a big customer impact to get people to go online to leave a review for a company. In other words, unless you do something really right or really wrong, customers are not necessarily going to head online to write about your company after visiting your store or using your service. So, how do you get these reviews? Here are some tips for encouraging them.
- Focus on asking for them. At the bottom of your customer’s receipt, place a request for the individual to go online to provide positive feedback about your company. Give them a link to your social media site, blog, or other review site to use.
- Just ask them with a heartfelt comment. If you’ve completed your customer’s job and he or she is thrilled with the work you’ve done, ask them for a review. Tell them how hard it can be to make a difference and ask them to go online to leave a few comments. Stress how valuable this can be for your business.
- Use social media to help you. Ask your followers if they’ve worked for you. Ask them a question about the type of service they got. You may even say, “How many of you have had the chance to work with our stellar employee? We want to know your experiences.” Come right out and ask for the information you need.
When you take these steps, you’ll easily be communicating with your clients in a way that encourages them to interact with you. Call them a few days later and ask if they’ve had a chance to review your company. Make sure to do this along with “checking up” on the work completed. By being proactive like this, you are sure to gain more reviews than if you did not take these steps.