Online reviews have a significant effect on a customer’s decision to make a purchase, impacting sales and revenue.
In this infographic, discover the 9 ways online reviews impact purchasing decisions
But reviews influence more than just the buyer’s journey. They also have a bearing on how and where customers find you online.
Google reviews
The days of traditional advertising or word of mouth referrals have evolved extensively. Today, how one ranks (and is found) on search engines is paramount to a business’ success.
According to Podium, “while advertising and personal recommendations still play a role in the buyer’s journey, most consumers now typically turn to search engines and online reviews when making purchase decisions. They do this for two reasons. First, Google makes it ridiculously easy to locate businesses in your area. And second, and probably most important, online reviews help you make more informed purchase decisions than the opinion of one or two friends would.”
Why else are Google reviews important? As Podium says;
- They create awareness: It’s not just about brand awareness, online reviews are what consumers use t about new products and businesses.
- They create perception: Once online searchers find your business, your star rating and number of reviews will have a huge impact on whether or not the individual will click on your listing to learn more. Businesses with a higher rating are more appealing.
- Competitive advantage: Reviews on the internet play a huge role in whether or not a consumer ultimately chooses your business. In fact, 93 percent of consumers say online reviews have an impact on their purchase decision and 82 percent of consumers said that the content of a review has convinced them to make a purchase.
Negative Reviews
Customers don’t only look for positive reviews to read, they’re also interested in what negative feedback a business has received. And they want to know how these have been dealt with. In this infographic, look at how your business could respond to a negative review to transform the customer experience.
