The margin for error in small business is extremely thin. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why there is such a high rate of failure for small businesses, especially in their first few years of existence. This is also a major reason why your small business needs all the positive reviews it can get.
Businesses can’t really afford to make any major mistakes in how the business is run in those critical early stages. Many owners look at the bottom line first and foremost when judging the success, or lack thereof, of their nascent business. But it can be easy to overlook just how important it is to have a business that is positively reviewed by customers. This is a major factor for business success whether you’re running a small restaurant, a bustling department store, or even a business which has no storefront but operates solely through online customers.
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What About Word-of-Mouth Advertising?
The days when you could simply hope that customers would pass the word around about their experience with your company are quickly passing. Instead, these days a small business relies heavily on getting positive reviews online.
And it’s not only a matter of getting good reviews. You should also concentrate on getting lots of customers to give your business online reviews. It’s a matter of both quantity and quality when it comes to positive reviews. Basically, you need to have both.
Don’t be afraid to take a shortcut now and then. For example, make it a priority to learn how to get more Yelp reviews for your business. In any case, make a point of getting lots of positive reviews. Your business will be all the better for it.
Incentivize It
Find a way to encourage customers give you reviews that will benefit them. This way, they will be much more likely to do so than otherwise. You should also make it clear that they can give any reviews they wish to give. In other words, encourage honest reviews, so they don’t feel pressured.
Remind Them on Social Media
There is no harm in giving your customers a reminder now and again to help you out with a positive review. You can do this with a simple social media post every once in a while. Or, if you post regularly, leave a link at the bottom for the review site. This will make it easier for them.
Ask Nicely
It may seem old-fashioned in this digital age. But ask the person who provides service to your customers to briefly explain to those customers the importance of online reviews. Consider it the modern equivalent of someone yelling, “Tell your friends,” to customers who are on their way out the door.
These are just some of the efforts you can employ to bring in reviews. More positive reviews mean more customers. Therefore, your bottom line will get a boost after all.
