Google estimates that 70% of a customer’s buying decision is made online before they contact you for the first time
And who are customers going to opt for? The business with hundreds of genuine recent reviews? Or the one with a handful of reviews from years ago?
Despite so many amazing people and businesses in our industry, we all know that customer sentiment is low.
This month we’re going to explore innovative ways to gather positive feedback from your customers. Set your team a challenge and let your happy customers market your business!
Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever
In an era where information is readily available, customers are conducting extensive online research before making even the smallest purchase decision.
Reviews serve as social proof, providing clients with insights into other people’s experiences with your business. A strong collection of positive reviews can be the deciding factor that sets you apart from the competition.
Here are just a few interesting stats that highlight the power of positive feedback:
- 95% of clients read online reviews before buying a product. (Source: Global Newswire)
- 92% say reading a trusted review makes them more likely to purchase a service. (Source: G2.com)
- 88% who read an online review say it influenced their buying decision. (Source: Zendesk)
- 83% don’t care about reviews unless they are dated, named and relevant. (Source: Podium)
Ways to Gather Positive Feedback
Here are a few different strategies you can try to gather more reviews for your business:
Set a team challenge: Encourage your team to actively request reviews from satisfied clients. Make it a friendly competition to see who can gather the most positive feedback.
Make it easy: Simplify the review process by providing direct links to your review pages in follow-up emails or text messages. Consider using QR codes on marketing materials that customers can scan to leave a review. Review platforms, like ESTAS, can really simplify the process for your customers, and for you!
Ask at the right time: Timing is crucial. Request a review immediately after a positive interaction when the customer is most satisfied with your service.
Highlight reviews: Showcase positive reviews on your website, social media, or instore displays. This not only encourages others to leave reviews but also builds trust with potential customers. Create a dedicated hashtag for your reviews.
Make the most of in-person meetings: Train your staff to ask for reviews during face-to-face interactions with customers. Provide them with pointers on how to ask, or a way to briefly explain how reviews can be helpful.
Thank your reviewers: Publicly thank customers who leave reviews on your social media or website. This shows appreciation and can motivate others to share their feedback.
Explain why reviews are important: Don’t assume that your customers know how valuable reviews are to your business. Let them know how impactful they can be (using some of the stats above!) to convince them to share their feedback.
Provide a template for reviews: Give reviewers ideas of what you’d like to be covered. For example, “Tell us about the process, how we helped, how the valuation went, what you think of our systems”, it helps to avoid too many short and snappy reviews.
The ESTAS Advantage: All the hard work done for you!
The ESTAS platform gives you all the tools and resources you need to simplify the process of gathering customer reviews.
Here’s how ESTAS can benefit your business:
- Control and Flexibility: You decide when and how to request reviews, integrating the process seamlessly into your daily operations.
- Credibility Building: Consistently gathering reviews helps you build a robust online reputation.
- Increased Visibility: 52% of ESTAS reviewers also leave their reviews on Google, significantly increasing your visibility.
Let’s make 2024 your year of growth through the power of customer reviews.
For more information about ESTAS and exactly how it works, you can book a demo on our website.
