There is often a disconnect when it comes to local businesses looking for customers and the Internet. Many small businesses feel that the Internet is too large and too open to be something they need to worry about. In other words, they believe that customers do not go online to find information about local business. That’s a big mistake that your company simply cannot afford to make. The fact is, most people will go online to learn about a company or a product before they will walk into the business. Local customers come to you through the Internet as well as through local advertising. That’s why customer reviews found online are so impactful.
Did you know that 27 percent of people regularly read online reviews when they are looking for a company to use? More so, 90 percent of people say that they use online reviews to make important buying decisions. How are these people finding your online reviews?
Learning About a New Product or a Service
One of the reasons people go online is to solve their problem. Whether they have a leaky toilet that they need a plumber for or they need to purchase mulch for their yard, they go online to find out who carries the product and what to purchase. As a direct result, these individuals are likely to learn about your company if you have a website ranking well locally for the topics they are looking for information on.
Learning About a Specific Company
Another way that consumers use the web is to learn about a company. Perhaps they heard your name, heard about your company, or saw your ad. Before they consider working with you, or even walking into your location, they go online. In doing so, they take the steps necessary to learn about your business. That’s where these individuals come into contact with your online reviews.
What does this mean to you, a small business that works hard to try to meet the customer’s needs? It means that you need to know what is being said about your company online. You need to know what people are learning about your company when they go online to look for a product or service that you offer. By taking a few steps, you’ll be able to have good information and shining results in your online reviews. The result is that those people that do use Internet-based searches find good information about your company and choose you to work with.