6 Reasons Why Customer Reviews are Essential For Your Business

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For most customers, the process of buying anything online involves minutes, hours, even days spent reviewing every detail about the product before making a decision. Customer reviews have become such a vital resource for businesses because 91% of millennials turn to online reviews to make online purchases. Of that percentage, 90% of online users say that negative reviews could convince them not to push through a purchase.

That's how influential online reviews are for potential customers. Online reviews bridge the gap between word-of-mouth marketing with viral feedback. If you receive positive reviews from customers, you are more likely to convince others to buy from you. If you need more reasons why positive reviews improve your online business, here are just a few:

6 Reasons Why Customer Reviews are Essential For Your Business

Builds Credibility

Social proof is one of the most vital factors that drive purchases for a business. Online reviews are trusted social proof. If people see that your business is getting a lot of positive feedback, potential buyers are more likely to trust you. One of the reasons positive online reviews build credibility is that it doesn’t sound like a sales pitch. It’s about telling real experiences from real people. It’s not meant to sell something but to show authentic customer experiences. 

Increases Trust

The majority of contemporary buyers turn to online reviews before deciding if they will buy a particular product or book a service. Online businesses teeming with negative reviews will turn many potential clients off! Think of positive reviews like that one final nudge that customers need to push them in the right direction – completing a purchase. If you are just starting out, try encouraging customers to leave positive reviews. 

Boosts Sales

According to Bazaar Voice The Conversation Index, online reviews lead to about an 18% increase in sales. This is proof that positive reviews directly affect the purchasing decision of buyers. Most people look for information before buying a product. The more honest-sounding or candid the reviews are, the more likely they will convince people to make a purchase. To drive the message home, respond to all the positive reviews. This will encourage people to leave reviews and share their buying experiences. 

Improves SEO

One notable benefit of online reviews is that they strengthen your online presence. Google and other major search engines rank websites with high positive reviews. This, in turn, increases the websites’ organic rankings. Think of online reviews as new content for search engines to index. The more reviews your website receives, the higher the chances of your business attracting high rankings from search engines. 

In addition, many search engines interpret short positive reviews as “rich answers.” These are often placed above the search page. If your positive reviews made it in that spot, you would attract more clicks. 

Better Customer Service

Building a successful business isn’t just about selling a product. It’s about making a connection with your target audience and giving them a pleasant buying experience that will stay with them. Excellent customer service leaves a lasting impression on people. Businesses that strive to provide the best customer service have many repeat customers and a loyal client base. Through online reviews, you’ll know exactly what your customers’ pain points are. You'll know what they look for in a brand and make the necessary adjustments to become better at providing the best products and services.

Continuous Brand Awareness

Positive reviews leave a lasting impact on potential and current customers. Positive feedback’s effects on people are continuous; it lasts for a long, long time. And even if you’re not actively promoting your brand, customer reviews provide a constant and lasting positive image to potential clients. In short, customer reviews will benefit your business for the short term and the long term!

Now more than ever, online shoppers depend heavily on customer reviews to make purchases. Positive feedback improves a brand’s reputation. If you have a lot of positive reviews, you are more likely to generate more sales even without trying. That’s because these reviews give potential customers the confidence to try your product. Also, if people see positive reviews on your website and/or social media, they are more likely to add their own views. 

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