Online reviews play a huge part in the modern customer’s journey.
Earning reviews is a necessary part of any modern marketing strategy.
But where should you get started if you want to take control and make the most of the consumer’s voice?
Let’s talk about the top review platforms, and the best way to leverage them.
1. Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB), the most recent incarnation of what was previously called Google Places and Google Local, is the starting point for any online review marketing strategy.
Ratings here determine your star rating in Google Maps results, as well as in the Google Local Pack, the list of Map results that show up when users perform a local search.
Reviews are the most important factor in determining where local businesses show up in Google search results, and Google My Business is the source the company trusts the most for these reviews.
And if you think this doesn’t affect you because your business is online instead of local, you’re wrong.
In one study that involved 30,000 sites, investing in reviews increased organic traffic from 5,500 to 8,000 in nine months.
But knowing that your Google profile needs reviews and actually earning them are two different things.
It should go without saying that an excellent product and superb customer service are a must here.
A strong emphasis on customer service should be reiterated, since bad customer service is more likely to lead to a review than positive customer service is.
In addition to thoroughly vetting your customer service and developing the best product you can, there are additional steps you can take to get the most out of Google My Business. […]
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