Whether you’re a business owner or a consumer, Local can help you get the most out of your community. It’s a digital platform that gives you access to local tools and resources to grow your business, including reviews, customer engagement, and more.
When consumers need to make a decision about a local business, they turn to online reviews. A business with a good number of reviews can help people feel confident about their choice.
But a review can also be a negative thing if it’s not accurate. That’s why it’s important to take steps to ensure your business is reputable on all of the major review sites.
Start by establishing an owner response process that allows customers to express their concerns or praises about your business. Using this strategy will help you build a strong online presence and improve your overall business performance.
Consider a review collection strategy that collects both 4- and 5-star reviews from your existing customers. This is the best way to build your business’ reputation in a competitive marketplace.
Use a review collection service that can collect and promote your reviews across multiple top review platforms, like Google My Business. This will save you time and energy, and allow you to focus on the things that really matter – running your business.
For instance, if you’re a restaurant or bar, your goal should be to collect reviews that are positive and describe a great experience. You should also be ready to respond to any negative reviews, so that you can turn a dissatisfied customer into a loyal fan.
In addition to reviewing your own business, it’s a good idea to read the reviews for your competitors to see how they’re doing and what they need to work on. Then, you can develop a strategy that helps you outperform them.
You can do this with a combination of marketing efforts and employee-centric management practices. It’s important to treat your employees as an extension of your brand, and empower them to help you earn more 5-star reviews.
It’s also a great idea to offer a loyalty program that rewards customers for repeat business. Having this program in place can increase your revenues by up to 15% per year, according to BrightLocal’s research.
Be proactive in responding to customer reviews, and use this opportunity to thank them for their business. This will show them that you care about their opinions and that your company is committed to delivering a great customer experience.
Another way to improve your business’ online presence is to promote local business events. This is a fantastic way to reach out to new local customers and engage them with your business. Many of these events have a free entry and will often include food and drinks, so it’s a great way to build trust in your brand while showing off your local expertise.