Online reviews have become an integral part of consumers' buying process. With the the increase of internet access and availability with smartphones and tablets, online reviews have become all that more valuable to businesses and their services.
Evolution of Word-of-Mouth Advertising
Businesses have relyed on word-of-mouth advertising as an effective, free source of adverting for their businesses and services. As technology has improved over time, word-of-mouth advertising has evolved. Now, customers and consumers can go to the internet and post the opinions they used to only tell their neighboors and friends for the entire world to see.
For the first time since the inception of word-of-mouth advertising, business owners can inject themselves directly into the conversation between a reviewer and the recieving audience. The ability of a business to respond to a review is very important for two reasons. The first reason responding to reviews is important is becuase it allows a business to respond to negative reviews and appease unhappy customers. The second reason responding to reviews is so important has nothing to do with the person who did the review. Respnding to a review is responding not just to the reviewer, but to everyone else who reads that review.
Reviews Effect on Local SEO
Local business listings create a profile for businesses that appear on mobile device internet searches. Not only are reviews important in aiding consumers in making purchasing decisions, but search engines value reviews as a part of their ranking algortihms. Every review, good or bad, count as an interaction with your brand or business on the internet. Search engines count each interaction with your brand as a "vote of confidence" for your business. Each vote, helps you rank higher.
Reviews are Here to Stay
Not only do reviews help buyers and influence their decisions, but they help businesses rank better locally. Businesses cannot afford to neglect their reviews. Reputation management has become big business and there are many profucts and services available today that can help buinesses with their online reputation management.
