Business Development | Importance Of Online Reviews

Why Online Reviews Are Important To Business Development

By Guest Blogger, Joel Coen, Chief Digital Officer, Commit Agency

Business development success, customer acquisition and loyalty are major priorities for all businesses. Growing in both relevant and meaningful ways is critical…and it starts with how people make decisions on who to do business with.

Online ratings and reviews have become a key influencer in purchase decision making. Business development strategies prioritize digital and online outreach. The evolution of digital channels has supported buyer engagement. And, strategies like SEO are priorities for raising visibility and building trust.

Here are four reasons that online ratings and reviews are important to your business:

1. Strongest off page SEO elements. When you “google” your business, the first visual impression is your Google My Business page and the accompanying reviews. Google crawlers are picking up input from these review pages and attributing it directly to your brand. Visibility with the Google algorithms has a primary impact on the amplification of your brand.

2. The experience someone has when they “look you up”. Checking online reviews is often the first thing someone does when researching a business. If your business has good reviews, it sends a message that you are trustworthy, competent, and committed to creating positive relationships with your customers.  Lack of reviews, however, is a rookie “swing and miss” in today’s world.

3. Validation of quality of service. Buyers want to know if they can trust you and your business. They often refer to ratings and reviews to see what others are saying. The opinion of someone who has worked with your brand has strong influence on whether or not a buyer will engage.

4. Highest Influencer at the Moment of Truth. Ratings and reviews are the highest influencer at the moment of truth….the decision making moment. The power of other people’s experiences either closes the deal or sends prospects on their way to do more research.

As a business or brand, you want to provide the best representation to current and potential customers, clients, patients, etc. The best way to ensure favorable results is to live out your brand so that positive reviews genuinely and organically reflect how you conduct your business. Anything less can certainly work against your business development efforts.