5 Ways to Improve Online Reviews
Online reviews are a key piece of credibility for your business (good or bad). Research shows that most people use online reviews in their decision-making process before visiting a business. Online reviews can be so important that you should have a dedicated strategy for increasing your online reviews. We detail below how to use text message appointment reminders to encourage positive reviews and even decrease negative ones to improve online reviews.
1. Respond to All Online Reviews
Responding to reviews is crucial. Nearly 70% of consumers are influenced by online reviews. Before buying a product, eating at a new restaurant, or doing business with a company, people read reviews from competitors and consider them. Whether the review is positive or negative, by responding you are showing consumers that you care. Always thank reviewers for their good feedback. If you get a bad review, try to respond by solving the issue or asking for direct contact information to try and solve the issue. In some cases, you only need to respond by apologizing for your bad experience. In all cases, being proactive shows others that you are willing and able to solve complaints.
2. Detailed Online Reviews Are the Best
Reviews act as a trusted advisor for patients or clients who are ready to make a decision. Patients who are interested in acting as an advisor are the people you want to encourage to leave a review! with the right strategy, earning reviews will not cost you anything and are therefore very high in ROI. The point is, good reviews can have a big impact on your bottom line.
3. How to Decrease Negative Online Reviews
Why do customers leave negative reviews? Usually, a negative review stems from someone who feels they were treated wrongly and were never compensated for it. See if there are common themes in your negative reviews – maybe people are having a hard time getting ahold of you, finding incorrect information about your business hours online, or receiving slow service. From there, you can fix issues before they become a bigger problem. Whether you offer an apology, credit, or free shipping; people just want to know you care. So, what better way to show you care than to use a text message? A text message gives you direct and immediate communication with your patients to resolve any issues quickly and effectively. Programs like appointmentreminders.com allow you to use text messages as an effective communication platform for both appointment reminders and other communications.
4. Don’t Let Good Feedback Go to Waste
You will eventually earn negative feedback if you don’t utilize the feedback you receive. If your patients, customers, etc. take the time to respond to your request then you must take the time to resolve their concerns. Use the text message feedback request to hear and resolve where you can. Not only do people pay attention to what others say about your business, but they’re also watching how you handle it. Whether they’re positive or negative reviews, does your business take the time to respond? Almost 80% of consumers feel that a business cares about their consumers more if they respond to online reviews than if they do not.
5. Utilize the Information
When you receive positive feedback, be sure to use those as well. You can paste good reviews on your website or any platform you own. Unfortunately, you cannot post others’ reviews on forums like Google. However, even positive reviews on your website will gain the credibility you want others to see. Word of mouth generally happens over time, after your business has been noticed and you’ve got people talking about you. The more chatter–especially positive–the more word-of-mouth marketing and referrals you may be getting for your business.
Conclusion
All these features and more can be used with our appointment reminders. Through email, text message, and even automation and schedule integration, we can help you achieve your goals. Start with our free, 30-day account. No credit card is required and no obligation to continue.
