[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Today, you can be certain that your client\u2019s audience is finding them online. Most consumers \u2014 about 92 per cent\u2014read online business reviews before making a purchasing decision, and 40% form their opinions of a business after reading just one to three reviews (Vendasta<\/a>). Whether your clients know it or not, their business and reputation is on trial every single day. Having an effective system to manage reviews for local businesses will help you create resilient, positive brand reputations that deliver results for your clients.<\/p>\n Popular review sites<\/a> like Yelp and TripAdvisor host over a billion combined reviews, and if you consider the more than 3 billion users on Facebook and Twitter, there’s a good chance your clients are the subject of many<\/em> online reviews. In other words, their online reviews management better be up to snuff or their reputation\u2014and their bottom line\u2014could be in trouble.<\/p>\n [et_pb_section global_module=\"113146 \"][\/et_pb_section]<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What is online reviews management?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Online business reviews management refers to the process of monitoring, analyzing, and responding to customer feedback on online platforms such as Google, Yelp, brand websites, and social media. Online reviews significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions, and managing them is a must for businesses that want to maintain and enhance their online reputations.<\/p>\n Online reviews management involves several key activities that help businesses effectively manage their reputations, gain valuable insights, and drive sales. Let\u2019s take a closer look at each of these activities:<\/p>\n Online reviews management generally involves activities like<\/p>\n Effective online review management<\/a> not only protects a business’s reputation, and boosts revenue, but it also provides valuable, current insights into customer satisfaction and areas for improvement. This feedback can help businesses make data-driven decisions about their products, services, and customer experience.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”How does it differ for small business reviews?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Online review management can benefit businesses of all sizes, from scrappy one-person startups to well-resourced organizations with dozens or hundreds of employees. However, there are significant differences in how small and large businesses manage online business reviews. When managing reviews for local businesses and SMB clients, it helps to understand how their needs and opportunities differ from their larger counterparts.<\/p>\n Simply put, small businesses often have more limited resources to dedicate to managing their online business reviews, making it challenging to monitor and respond to reviews in a timely manner. They need user-friendly solutions that enable them to handle multi-platform review management easily.<\/p>\n For large businesses, a few negative reviews aren\u2019t necessarily going to shift customer perceptions significantly because they already have a well-established reputation. However, negative reviews can have a more significant impact on small businesses since they typically have fewer reviews to start with, and audiences may not know much about them yet.<\/p>\n Since small businesses may be operating in niche markets, it\u2019s possible that they\u2019ll need to pay more attention to niche-specific, small platforms for review generation and management. This way, they can improve their chances of being discovered by audiences who are most interested in their product or service.<\/p>\n An area in which small businesses tend to have an edge over larger counterparts are in their ability to be flexible and nimble in response to feedback. A large business may require a great deal of time and effort to change a product in response to negative reviews, while a small business is more likely to be able to respond swiftly. This adaptability to changing customer needs based revealed in online business reviews can help small businesses maximize the benefits of online reviews management.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”6 reasons why reviews for local businesses are essential” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The internet is full of distractions, and local businesses need to prioritize activities that help them stand out amid the noise and create a positive overall impression.<\/p>\n As humans, we all place more faith in authentic, personal product recommendations than in advertisements. Today, customer reviews largely play the function of personal recommendations, since they are perceived as coming from unbiased peers with similar needs. That\u2019s why reviews have become an indispensable tool for businesses to establish their value proposition, boost brand image, and ultimately land more sales. Let\u2019s take a look at exactly why reviews for local businesses should be a high priority.<\/p>\n An essential factor that determines a business’s online discoverability is its presence on search engines like Google. Search engines prioritize websites with a greater number of reviews and higher ratings since they logically perceive them to be more reliable, high-quality, and relevant to users’ needs. By accumulating a healthy number of positive small business reviews, local businesses can improve their search engine rankings, making it easier for their ideal client to find them.<\/p>\n Consumers naturally rely on the experiences and opinions of others when evaluating a product or service. Reviews function as social proof, validating the quality of a business’s offerings. A substantial number of positive small business reviews instill confidence in potential customers and generally foster trust in a local business. This trust ultimately translates into a higher likelihood of conversion and customer retention.<\/p>\n Online business reviews provide invaluable insights into customers’ experiences<\/a>, preferences, and expectations that could otherwise remain unknown. By closely monitoring and analyzing feedback, businesses can identify trends and patterns that inform their marketing strategies and drive improvements to their products or services. This customer-centric approach leads to better customer satisfaction and can also give local businesses a more substantial competitive edge.<\/p>\n Word-of-mouth marketing is widely acknowledged as one of the most effective forms of advertising. People tend to trust personal recommendations from friends, family, or acquaintances more than any other form of marketing (Nielsen<\/a>). Reviews are effectively a digital form of word-of-mouth marketing, amplifying the reach of satisfied customers’ positive experiences. By encouraging customers to share their experiences, local businesses can generate more leads, boost brand awareness, and create a buzz around their products or services.<\/p>\n Encouraging customers to leave reviews creates an opportunity for businesses to engage with them and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction. Responding to both positive and negative reviews with a personalized and thoughtful approach showcases a business’s dedication to addressing customers’ concerns and improving their experiences. This proactive engagement can foster customer loyalty, turning one-time customers into brand ambassadors.<\/p>\n For many consumers, the decision-making process can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially with a vast array of options available. Reviews help to streamline this process by providing potential customers with firsthand accounts of the experiences of others. This information helps consumers quickly evaluate a product or service’s suitability and make informed decisions, ultimately saving them time and effort\u2014and landing SMBs more conversions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”10 ways to manage reviews more effectively” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The tone and choice of words when responding to a review, particularly a negative one, are crucial. Avoid engaging in public arguments with an angry reviewer, since this can only lead to reputational damage when prospective customers see the response as uncaring and rude.<\/p>\n Instead, respond politely and provide a solution\u2014an offer, refund, or acknowledgment\u2014that can potentially transform a disgruntled customer into a satisfied one.<\/p>\n It’s critical to respond to reviews as fast as you can. Bad reviews can spread like a disease; responding to it quickly\u2014whether it be through awesome customer service or handling the comment behind closed doors\u2014goes a long way in preventing further damage.<\/p>\n Plus, responding promptly to reviews, negative or positive, shows other customers you’re attentive and lets others know you care about their experience with your business.<\/p>\n Give the huge influence of social media on shoppers\u2019 buying decisions, connecting with reviewers and followers on social media can be an effective way to generate more reviews<\/a>, and just as importantly, to get those reviews seen by online audiences.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that social marketing has evolved a great deal over the last decade, with audiences increasingly sniffing out staged, inauthentic reviews, and seeking authentic, unpolished content instead. To get more of these impactful social reviews, it is essential for businesses to focus on building genuine relationships with their customers and engaging with them on a personal level.<\/p>\n Local businesses can encourage user-generated content by hosting contests, asking open-ended questions, and fostering a sense of community around their brands.<\/p>\n They can also share customer stories and experiences to demonstrate the real impact of their products or services. By prioritizing authenticity and transparency in social marketing efforts, businesses can encourage more engaging content and cultivate trust and loyalty among their audience, leading to more influential and persuasive social reviews.<\/p>\n Fresh and relevant reviews are essential for healthy business results. Not only do they strengthen online presence but they directly impact sales conversions\u201443% of consumers prefer to see over 100 reviews for a product they are interested in (Search Engine Journal<\/a>).<\/p>\n Using a tool that puts the review generation process on autopilot<\/a> is the most effective way for local businesses to generate more positive reviews. By automatically requesting reviews<\/a> from customers at the moment they\u2019re most likely to be motivated to respond, SMBs can ensure that the reviews on their website and other platforms are always current.<\/p>\n Not every local business has the experience, tools, or resources to manage its online reviews. As an agency, offering DIFM or DIWM\u2122 services is a great way to expand your suite of services and tap into a new revenue stream. This way, clients can be as hands-on or hands-off as they like, and you have something to offer businesses across a range of budgets.<\/p>\n Many agencies and media companies are turning to reputation management solutions to help their clients monitor, generate, and manage reviews. These tools make it possible to respond to reviews across a large number of platforms from a single dashboard, saving businesses time and ensuring no review falls through the cracks.<\/p>\n Local businesses should actively encourage customers to share their experiences. This can be a multi-pronged effort that includes follow-up emails, social media, and integrating a review prompt on their website. The more reviews they receive, the more their online reputation is likely to grow, along with all the benefits that come with it.<\/p>\n Monitor and analyze reviews to identify patterns, trends, and areas of improvement. By addressing customer concerns and working to enhance your products or services, businesses can be confident they are progressing in a direction their customers will approve of.<\/p>\n Leverage positive reviews by featuring them prominently on brand websites, social media, and marketing materials. Highlighting positive experiences can help instill confidence in prospective customers, helping businesses get more juice out of each good review comment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Take the guesswork out of review management by establishing a clear strategy for local businesses to use. This can outline how to handle different scenarios, what kind of language to use, when to make review removal requests, and which response template to use for particular situations. A well-defined strategy can help maintain consistency and ensure that all team members understand how to manage reviews effectively.<\/p>\n Offer these tips to your local business clients as a way for them to manage their reviews, or build your services around doing it for them. We\u2019ve created Reputation Management<\/a> to help you generate more reviews and manage them effortlessly. For local businesses, this rebrandable solution can transform a barely-existing review strategy into an SEO-boosting, reputation-growing, and revenue-generating machine.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Online business reviews are public customer feedback posted on platforms like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and TripAdvisor. They reflect real experiences and opinions about a business\u2019s products or services, influencing consumer trust, brand reputation, and search engine visibility.<\/p>\n Reviews are one of the most powerful forms of social proof. They help potential customers decide whether to trust a brand and can directly impact SEO rankings, conversion rates, and overall credibility\u2014making them essential for any business\u2019s online success.<\/p>\n Customers rely on reviews to gauge trustworthiness and quality. Studies show that most people read multiple reviews before making a purchase. A strong portfolio of positive reviews can significantly increase sales and attract more loyal customers.<\/p>\n Vendasta\u2019s white-label reputation management tools help agencies monitor, request, and respond to reviews from one dashboard. Businesses can use Vendasta to streamline feedback collection, improve ratings, and strengthen credibility across platforms\u2014all while maintaining full brand control.<\/p>\n Ask every customer for feedback after a purchase or service. Automated tools like Vendasta\u2019s Customer Voice make it easy to send review requests via email or text, ensuring a steady flow of authentic reviews that boost your online reputation.<\/p>\n Yes, but only if ignored. Negative reviews provide opportunities to improve and demonstrate accountability. Responding promptly and professionally can turn criticism into positive engagement, often strengthening customer trust in the long term.<\/p>\n No. Posting or incentivizing fake reviews violates FTC and platform guidelines. It can result in penalties, account suspensions, or loss of visibility. Always focus on generating authentic, honest feedback from real customers through legitimate channels.<\/p>\n Search engines favor businesses with consistent, genuine reviews. Positive reviews increase click-through rates and local rankings, while review volume and response activity signal credibility to algorithms\u2014helping your business rank higher in local search results.<\/p>\n Agencies can offer branded reputation management services through Vendasta\u2019s white-label platform. From automated review requests to centralized monitoring and response tools, agencies can help clients build trust, improve SEO, and drive new customer growth.<\/p>\n Businesses should monitor and respond to reviews daily or in real time. A quick, thoughtful reply shows customers that you care. Vendasta\u2019s automated alerts make it easy to stay on top of new reviews and maintain a positive public image.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Online business reviews are an effective way to turn prospects into paying customers. Here\u2019s how to manage reviews effectively and deliver results for your clients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":122029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Ninety-seven percent\u00a0of consumers (<\/span>BIA Kelsey<\/span>) find local business info on the web, and 70% make decisions based on what online reviews say. So whether your<\/span>\u00a0clients know it or not, their business and reputation is\u00a0on trial every\u00a0single day.\r\n\r\nReview sites\u00a0like Yelp! and TripAdvisor host over a combined 270 million reviews (Yelp<\/a>! and TripAdvisor<\/a>) and if you consider the billion+ users on Facebook and Twitter, there's a good chance your clients' are the subject of many online reviews. In other words,\u00a0their review management better be up to snuff or their reputation (and their business) could\u00a0be in trouble.\r\nWhat is online business reviews management?<\/h2>\n
\n
How does it differ for small business reviews?<\/h2>\n
Limited resources<\/h3>\n
Online business reviews may have a greater impact on SMBs<\/h3>\n
Niche markets<\/h3>\n
Nimbleness and responsiveness<\/h3>\n
6 reasons why online business reviews for local companies are essential<\/h2>\n
Increased visibility and discoverability<\/h3>\n
Enhanced credibility and trust<\/h3>\n
Actionable consumer insights<\/h3>\n
Word-of-mouth marketing benefit<\/h3>\n
Improved customer engagement<\/h3>\n
Speed up the customer decision-making process<\/h3>\n
10 ways to manage reviews more effectively<\/h2>\n
1. Improve online reviews: Know how to respond<\/h3>\n
2. Improve online reviews by responding quickly<\/h3>\n
3. Improve online reviews with social marketing<\/h3>\n
4. Improve online reviews by keeping reviews up to date<\/h3>\n
5. Call for backup to improve online reviews<\/h3>\n
6. Use review management tools to improve reviews<\/h3>\n
7. Encourage customers to leave reviews<\/h3>\n
8. Improve online reviews by analyzing them for actionable insights<\/h3>\n
9. Improve online reviews by showcasing positive ones<\/h3>\n
10. Develop a robust review management strategy<\/h3>\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n
1. What are online business reviews?<\/h3>\n
2. Why are online business reviews important?<\/h3>\n
3. How do online reviews affect buying decisions?<\/h3>\n
4. How can Vendasta help manage online business reviews?<\/h3>\n
5. What\u2019s the best way to get more online business reviews?<\/h3>\n
6. Can negative online reviews hurt my business?<\/h3>\n
7. Are fake or paid reviews allowed?<\/h3>\n
8. How do online business reviews impact SEO?<\/h3>\n
9. How can agencies use Vendasta to help clients with online reviews?<\/h3>\n
10. How often should businesses check and respond to online reviews?<\/h3>\n
What is online review management?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWell, it\u2019s exactly what it sounds like. It\u2019s managing online reviews to protect and strengthen the reputation of businesses. As cited above, online reviews go a long way in shaping consumers' buying decisions, and therein, your clients' bottom lines. One bad review has the potential to cripple a business, but one good review can provide a ton of marketing power, when leveraged effectively.\r\n
6\u00a0ways\u00a0to manage online reviews effectively\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n1. Know\u00a0how to respond<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe right tone and the right words are everything. When responding to a bad review, making it a public war is a recipe for reputation disaster. The worst thing you can do for your brand is to\u00a0trade blows with\u00a0an angry reviewer. You've seen it, I've seen it, we've all seen it\u2014<\/span>there's never anything good that comes out of it.\r\n\r\nBut a polite\u00a0response with the right spin and solution\u2014<\/span>an offer, refund or plain ol' acknowledgement\u2014<\/span>can turn a disgruntled customer into a happy one.\r\n\r\n2. Respond quickly<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIt's critical to respond to reviews as fast as you can. Bad reviews can spread like a disease; responding to it quickly\u2014<\/span>whether it be through awesome customer service or handling\u00a0the comment behind closed doors\u2014goes a long way in preventing further damage.\r\n\r\nPlus, responding promptly to reviews, negative or positive, shows customers you're attentive and lets others know you care about their experience with your business.\r\n\r\n3. Get to know social marketing<\/strong>\r\n\r\n93% of shoppers' buying decisions are influenced by social media (<\/span>#SocialNomics 2014<\/span><\/a>). Knowing how to connect with reviewers and followers on social is a huge business driver and is\u00a0proven to\u00a0increase sales by 18% (Bazaar Voice<\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nAnother cool thing\u00a0some companies are doing to rev\u00a0their marketing efforts\u00a0is reaching out to followers and making them brand ambassadors on their social sites. The primary function of these ambassadors are\u00a0to test and review products and services in a good but honest light.\r\n\r\n4.\u00a0Keep reviews up to date<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFresh and relevant reviews are essential for healthy business results. Not only do they strengthen online presence but they directly impact sales conversions<\/span>\u2014<\/span>63% of consumers are more likely to buy from a site with current product ratings (iPerceptions<\/a>).<\/span><\/strong>\r\n\r\n5. Call for back up<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNot every local business has the experience, tools, or resources to manage their own reviews. Offering DIFM or DIWM services is great way to expand your suite of services\u00a0and tap into a new revenue stream.\r\n\r\n6. Use review management\u00a0tools<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMany agencies and media companies are turning to reputation management solutions to help their clients manage their reviews\u2014<\/span><\/strong>from\u00a0monitoring them to\u00a0even\u00a0generating them.\r\n\r\nOffer these tips to your local business clients as a way for them to manage their\u00a0reviews, or build your services around doing it for them. We\u2019ve created Review Generation<\/a>\u00a0to help you get them reviews, and amplify positive ones on social channels. Check out Vendasta's rebrandable\u00a0Reputation Management<\/a> solution that'll do wonders for your clients'\u00a0reviews and business.\r\n\r\n[adrotate group=\"8\"]<\/span>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[690],"class_list":["post-7091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marketing","tag-listings-management"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n