A business review is a powerful way to sell a product or service. Learn how to get reviews and make the most of your business testimonials!
Want more business reviews and testimonials? You’ve come to the right place!
It’s no secret that reviews are important for businesses. 95% of customers read online reviews before buying a product, according to Global Newswire. Whether you’re a small business relying on reviews to bring traffic in the door or an enterprise working to beat out the competition, you need reviews. Not just any - you need people shouting your greatness from the rooftops!
Here’s what we’re dishing out today:
Reviews can make or break a service or product. Consumers trust reviews because they provide insight and clarity to help customers make informed decisions. Have you ever gone to buy a pair of shoes and looked through the reviews to see if they were made with high-quality material or if they run big or small in size? What about looking at reviews to see if a business is legitimate or provides effective services? Chances are, you probably have, and it likely swayed your decision one way or the other.
When a review sounds like: “I was skeptical about ABC because of XYZ, but I was pleasantly surprised! I had a wonderful experience!”, it speaks to potential customers’ pain points. This is a powerful review because it both validates and reassures the customer from an unbiased source.
“If you’re on the fence, just do it!! You won’t be sorry”. People are often scared they’ll experience buyer’s remorse. If your existing customers communicate that they are happy with their decision, new customers can
Who doesn’t love a good story? If someone takes the time to share how your business has impacted their life, you’ll appeal to consumers' emotion, which is a powerful decision driver. We don’t want to manipulate, of course, but if your product or service is making someone’s life better, of course you want to get it into more hands for a bigger impact.
When customers post reviews with images or videos, it helps potential customers envision the product or service in action. It provides more context organically. Additionally, it’s incredibly valuable to have a video testimonial of a customer speaking on your behalf. It makes the review more dynamic and builds trust with consumers.
If you’re not getting reviews organically, we've got you covered. We’ll have those reviews rolling in with these actionable tips! The simplest way is to ask. But the question is, how and when do you ask?
Do NOT Incentivize or pay for reviews. In the past, businesses could offer a freebie, discount, or even pay consumers in exchange for reviews.
That is no longer allowed in the U.S. The FTC has ruled that, "Businesses are prohibited from providing compensation or other incentives contingent on the writing of consumer reviews expressing a particular sentiment, either positive or negative."
Pro tip: Make it as easy as possible for people to leave reviews. If they’ve written praise in an email, copy and paste it in a response with the link to your review page, asking them if they wouldn’t mind sharing it for future customers. Give guidance if you’re looking for a specific format or review content. Without putting words in their mouth, let them know what would be the most beneficial for reviews.
Whether you choose to dedicate a web page for reviews like a hall of fame, or thoughtfully weave testimonials throughout, we recommend including a minimum of 3-5 testimonials on your website. Include more if you can! You should also share reviews on social media, marketing materials, emails, podcasting, and even the product itself!
You can get really creative with how you show off how much people love you! We’ve heard of businesses kicking of their podcast episode with a “review of the week”. This encourages listeners who want a shout-out to actively participate while also flexing in a fun and engaging way!
Social media is amazing for user generated content (UGC) such as video reviews as well as graphics, stories, and highlights showcasing customer reviews. Pin comments that serve as positive reviews. Not all reviews look the same. Don’t sleep on comments and direct messages (DMs); however, be sure to respect the privacy of DMs by asking for permission or removing any sensitive or personal information before sharing.
If you follow our guidance, we have no doubt you’ll experience success! If you’d like support on marketing your product or service, or if you’d like an expert’s opinion on how to create an exceptional customer experience, reach out! We offer marketing retainers and brand and website strategy. Don’t be shy, reach out if you have questions or are interested in working with us!
