The benefits of online reviews
Grow your business using this simple and inexpensive method
Did you know that 68% of customers form their opinions after reading between one and six online reviews? This means a good percentage of business reputation hangs on the balance of customer reviews.
Let’s imagine you are in a new area and want to have your hair cut (we like using this example). You look up ‘hairdressers near me’ and see a list of options. Next step? See what other people think of the business, of course. Did you know that consumer reviews are trusted 12 times more than official business descriptions?
If you put your customer hat on, we’re confident these scenarios sound familiar.
No reviews? Or less than 10 reviews from 2 years ago? – sketchy, let’s move on
More than 30 reviews all giving five-star ratings? – suspicious, could it really be this good?
100+ mixed reviews with the majority of reviews being positive? – trustworthy, let’s go with this one – According to Google, customers find a combination of positive and negative reviews more trustworthy than a business that only has glowing reviews.
There are a variety of ways for customers to leave a review about your business. The example above refers to Google Reviews, which you will need a Google Business Profile for. (You can read more about that here). Additionally, social media comments are a great way to maintain active and open communication channels with customers. It’s important to thank the good and address the bad promptly, with a solution or at least an explanation. Did you know that up to 90% of unhappy customers will return or buy from your business again if an issue is solved quickly and effectively? Feedback from customers, both good and bad, gives you a powerful opportunity to build positive brand reputation.
Since reviews are the backbone of managing your business’ reputation online, we’re partnering with Alon Rom, the CEO of Hellopeter and Hellopeter Business, to help you navigate the world of online reviews.
Alon Rom is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience with big brands, from his early interest in derivative trading focused on currency and commodity futures to becoming a co-CEO of Mr Delivery (Mr D) and shareholder at Takealot.
In 2014 while he was on a short-lived sabbatical, he got word that Hellopeter was up for sale and jumped at the opportunity. He acquired the brand with Founder Collective, a venture capital headquartered in the United States that has invested in over 300 start-ups, including Coupang, Uber, BuzzFeed, SeatGeek, PillPack and TradeDesk.
Watch this space for the recording of the session. In the meantime, have a look at how to Build your brand with Nkgabiseng Motau.
