Do Reviews Matter?
You know what a good job your company does – and that you offer superior service, top-quality products and the fairest of prices. Does it really matter what somebody on the Internet has to say about who you are and what you do? Well, yes, it does, actually.
According to BrightLocal, around 91% of consumers check online reviews as they evaluate whether to contact or make a purchase from a local business. Yep, nine out of ten people (plus a tiny bit of that tenth person) want to hear from people they may or may not know before they try a new company. The research also found that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation, and seven out of ten people will leave a review if they’re asked to do so.
Contractors can make it easier for customers to write reviews by providing links to review pages on your website. Also, add links to review profiles in email signatures.
Ask for feedback at appropriate times – such as in an email after a service call – or in an appropriate place. Don’t overload website content begging for reviews on every page, but in well-placed spots, you could say:
“We appreciate your feedback. If there are ways we can improve service, please tell us your thoughts. Your satisfaction is important to us. If we’ve done a good job for you, please let others know about us by posting a review. Thank you!”