Are you stuck doing what you’ve always done to attract and retain new customers, only to get the exact same results? Most business owners don’t need to be told that trying to generate new customers can be difficult. Just trying to remain in business takes a lot of time, money and energy, and sometimes this can feel like it’s just not worth the effort.
In today’s digital, mobile and social-driven economy, you just can’t ignore the impact of online consumer behavior, especially if they are posting negative comments about your business.
Ignoring what customers may be saying online about your business could be a costly mistake!
You could be doing your business a great disservice if you don’t publish the positive things your clients say about your solutions, user training, support, etc. Testimonials, user reviews, and case studies are persuasive ways of marketing your products and services online and should be included as part of your content.
Testimonials And User Reviews
“P.T.” Barnum, legendary American businessman and showman, once stated that “Nothing draws a crowd quite like a crowd.”
P.T. Barnum obviously understood the power of “social proof”. Using social proof as content is a powerful and effective way of promoting your business. Quoting testimonials from your existing clients is far more persuasive for drawing new clients, customers or users than anything you say about your own products or services.
There is an untapped source of business growth potential that most businesses simply do not utilize, or utilize correctly … consumer testimonials and reviews!
Customer testimonials and customer reviews are effective for building credibility for your services or products.
Studies conducted by marketing research firms all point to the same conclusion: user reviews and testimonials help decrease doubts potential customers may have about buying your product, help users select products and help increase sales conversions.
Here are just some statistics that support this:
- According to research findings by eVoc Insights, a company that researches and measures user experience, “In general, 63% of users indicate they are more likely to purchase from a site if it has ratings and consumer reviews.”
- According to Reevoo.com, customer reviews play a significant role in creating an average 18% uplift in sales and 50 or more consumer reviews per product can result in a 4.6% increase in conversion rates.
- Site visitors who interact with both reviews and customer questions and answers are 105% more likely to purchase while visiting and spend 11% more than visitors who don’t interact with UGC. (Bazaarvoice, Conversation Index, Q2 2011).
- Customer reviews are significantly more trusted (nearly 12 times more) than descriptions that come from manufacturers, according to a survey of US internet users by online video review site EXPO. (eMarketer, February 2010).
(Above figures sourced from eConsultancy.com)
Adding Customer Reviews And Testimonials And Online Reputation Management
You should be adding positive reviews and testimonials from clients who have experienced positive results with your business to your website.
Customer reviews and customer testimonials, however, are like double-edged swords; they can impact your business both in a positive or negative way.
People may not be saying bad things about your business, products or services directly to your face, but they could post negative comments on a forum about a bad encounter they’ve just had with you or your business and this could be doing far more damage to your business than all the good work you’ve been putting into building it.
This is where online reputation management becomes a vital aspect of your success.
Misconceptions about online reputation management, such as the process being too complicated or too time-consuming (or the belief that you really don’t need it) could be hurting your business without you even being aware of this.
Call us to learn more about how to get started with managing your online reputation – and leveraging it for more business.