Get more reviews with these 5 effective (and free) tips

There’s one simple truth: consumers rely on online reviews to determine where they spend their money. In fact, 90% of buyers reported to have checked a business’ reviews before reaching a decision and ultimately making a purchase. Businesses can learn how to get more reviews here.

Though we understand that reviews may not always be accurate and are often subjective – reviews are a focal point of success as it can be the only reference for potential customers. A Harvard Business Review report states that each increase in a business’ star ratings correlates to a 5-9% increase in revenue, showing that your reputation matters to the people that do business with you. 

It’s no debate that reviews are essential for your business to thrive; the key is ensuring that you have the volume and high ratings to draw in new customers. While it’s easier said than done, we’ve created a quick and simple guide to help you get on your feet and get more reviews.

5 things you can do to get more reviews:

• Complete your profiles

Taking the time to complete your profile information is a key component of success. Think of it as your website, it’s one of the very first interactions that a potential customer has with your business. Adding photos, creating a check-in deal, answering community questions, or adding story to your ‘about me’ is a great way to show that you’re active online. Both Google My Business and Yelp also offer a mobile platform for those looking to manage their pages on-the-go.

• Mention reviews to your loyal customers

If you have a business with foot traffic or customers you regularly interact with, have your front staff mention that reviews are greatly appreciated. Phrases like, “Thanks for coming in, and check us out on Google!” and “Have you seen our page on Yelp?” can be worked into normal interactions and can help drive traffic and attention to your page. Though this may seem like a given, you’d be surprised how many people forget about this low-barrier opportunity to increase the amount of reviews they receive. 

Since these people like your business enough to keep coming back, they’re more likely to leave a review. If and when you receive a negative review, it’s important to respond in a respectful manner since there’s a chance they’ll update their review with positive sentiment. Remember, never explicitly ask anyone to leave a 5-star review since this is against Yelp’s policy.

• Include a link to your pages everywhere

This is an incredibly simple way to draw attention to your Google and Yelp pages while encouraging reviews without explicitly asking for them. Add a Yelp icon link to your website, share it on your social media channels, and include it in your company email signature with a phrase like, “Check us out on Yelp!”. You can even utilize the really solid testimonials on your Facebook and Instagram pages as content.

• Request a “Find Us on Yelp” sticker— or make a sign of your own

Yelp issues stickers to select businesses to help draw customers back to the site. These are often given out to established businesses with a number of positive reviews, but it’s worth asking— you never know! You can request a Yelp sticker to display on your front door here.

Another option is to make your own, original sign. Don’t copy Yelp’s sticker; but instead, create a physical sign to stick in the door or stand by the cash register. This can be another great way to send people to your Yelp page and draw reviews.

• Do NOT buy reviews

Buying positive reviews may seem like a quick way to get more reviews, but it can reap more consequences than benefits. First, customers will notice that the reviews are fake. It’s not hard to see a correlation in reviews and the fact that they aren’t genuine. This can turn off potential customers from the very beginning and portray the idea that your business is shady.

Second, it’s a violation of Yelp guidelines. Yelp believes that reviews should be genuine (obviously) and features an algorithm to detect suspicious activity. If they suspect the recommendation was coerced or is anything but organic, they’ll remove it. If that happens enough, Yelp can put a warning on your page which can be detrimental to your business.

200+ million people engage with businesses across review platforms on a daily basis; as we progress within a digital age, more and more people will have access to what your past customers have to say about you. Want to know more about how your business is doing across various review platforms, and other unique ways you can get more reviews?

Sign up for a free Business Warrior account today.