How do online reviews influence the purchase decisions for local business services?

Pretty significantly, according to research results published by BrightLocal:

• 92% of consumers now read online reviews before buying
• Star rating is #1 factor used to judge a business
• 44% say the review must be less than a month old to be relevant

And online reviews are important to organic search engine rankings for local businesses. See this study on the top local search ranking factors and you’ll note the importance of local reviews.

So if online reviews influence buying decisions and improve organic search engine rankings, then why aren’t you trying to get more of them? 

I shared tips about getting more online reviews in the past, and in this post I want to share with you a specific tactic to get more online reviews.

The best way to get reviews is to ask for them at all customer touchpoints.

Your business comes in contact with customers each and every day. Security companies, auto glass companies, dry cleaners, diners, shoe repair shops…no matter what your business does, it touches customers.

One of my favorite methods to get more online reviews is to use a “Leave Us A Review” card. This card does two essential things:

• It asks for a review.
• It explains to the customer where to leave a review and how to do it.

You can see a sample of a “Leave Us A Review Card” later in this post.

It’s important that customers know where to leave a review. Some review sites are more popular and more important to your business than others.

It’s equally as important to tell them how to leave a review. Many have never written an online review. Making it easy for them to understand how to do so will result in more reviews for your business.

Take the information you see on the sample below to your local printer. Have them print this information on 4 x 6 inch colored (not white…make it stand out and be visible) card stock. When you have the printed “Leave Us A Review Card,” give one to each and every customer, at each and every touchpoint.

You’ll be amazed to see how your online reviews grow, and what an edge you’ll have over your competitors.

Below is an example of the front and back of the card. Simply replace “Your Company Name” with that of your company and you’ll be set and ready to go.

Good luck and be sure to leave us a comment about how this approach works for you.

FRONT

BACK