Alice Norman

About Alice Norman

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July 3 2020

Why Google Reviews Matter Even More for Local Small Business

Here’s some important information you need to know about the traffic that comes into your store. An important source of traffic for your local business is Google Maps. Google Maps is no longer just about distance and directions. Many consumers now go straight to Google Maps to search for local products or services.

Did you know that the Google Maps algorithm can return higher-rated businesses over nearby businesses when customers search with local intent? Your business could be further away from a customer but higher up in the search results in Google Maps if you have plenty of highly rated reviews.

Google also recently updated its map search layout to show ratings and reviews much more prominently. Your average rating is the first fact about your business that’s displayed to potential customers, before any other information.

The more positive ratings you can capture, the better chance you have of getting a customer’s attention and drawing them into your store from Google Maps. Google’s search algorithms are complex, but it’s clear that your Google Reviews have a huge impact on your standing with Google Maps local search results.

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July 3 2020

Why Google Reviews Matter

Alice Norman Reviews

Google reviews play a crucial role in showing the world that your business is trustworthy and transparent. Business reviews appear next to your listing on Google Search and Google Maps, and can help your business stand out from the competition.

Recent consumer studies suggest that customer reviews are the most powerful purchase influence on potential customers. Customers clearly want to know what kind of experiences others have had with your business. The more great Google Reviews they see, the more likely they are to believe that you provide great products or services, and give you a chance. It’s old-fashioned word-of-mouth in the internet era.

Customers are actively looking for reviews about your business, as indicated by a study that found 88% of consumers consult reviews before making a purchase. If you have a website, consider that yet another study indicates that 63% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from a website that has favorable customer reviews.

You need good reviews just to get customers to your website, because Google is more likely to recommend your website if it has highly rated reviews. Collecting reviews is a vital part of a comprehensive Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. As the world’s most dominant search engine, Google Reviews matter now more than ever, both for local foot traffic and online sales. In a review-centric market, businesses who collect more positive reviews will have a huge advantage over those who don’t.

June 30 2020

But, I’m Afraid of Bad Reviews!

Alice Norman Reviews

It happens. A customer has a bad experience with your product, service or employee, and you’re left with a bad review. As a business owner, you might be worried that collecting Google Reviews may actually have a negative impact. But, knowing how important Google Reviews are for your business, you can’t let this deter you from collecting reviews. Here’s another way to look at it: a less than 5-star review now and then is actually a great time to show your commitment to your customers when you reply to them, and a great source of data to improve your business.

If you receive a “bad” review, you need to treat it very professionally, even more carefully than you would in person because this is now on display to everyone who sees it. Apologize, address your customer’s complaints, and explain how your company will work to improve. Of course, to do this, you need to be monitoring your Google Reviews regularly. Put one person in charge of checking and responding to reviews daily or weekly, so you know who’s responsible. Rest assured that the occasional imperfect review is not the end of your business. They can even help convert readers into future customers if you respond professionally and empathetically.

By reviewing and replying to your reviews, you’ll also gain valuable information and a better understanding of how your business, products, or employees can improve. For example, if you notice customers are complaining about your hours, you may be able to make changes to increase customer satisfaction and sales. Or if a certain employee is named repeatedly for inadequate service, they may require more training.

One of the effects of online reviews is the responsibility it requires of businesses. Transparent and committed business owners aren’t scared off by bad reviews. When a customer shares an experience that was unsatisfactory, they turn it around and use it as an opportunity to improve!

June 19 2020

Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore the Importance of Online Reviews

Alice Norman Reviews Reviews

Reviews play a crucial role in showing the world that your business is trustworthy and transparent. But you likely already know this – you likely look at reviews yourself before you purchase! Whether it’s a local landscaper or an online book purchase, you’re checking out reviews before you commit to spending your money with a business or product you don’t know much about, and so are your potential customers.

Recent consumer studies suggest that customer reviews are the most powerful purchase influence on potential customers, and specifically Google Reviews are the most viewed of all. Customers clearly want to know what kind of experiences others have had with your business. The more great Google Reviews they see, the more likely they are to believe that you provide great products or services, and give you a chance with their pocket books. It’s old-fashioned word-of-mouth in the internet marketing era.

Customers are actively looking for reviews about your business, as indicated by several studies that show 90% of consumers consult reviews before making a purchase. If you have a website, consider that yet another study indicates that 63% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from your website if it has favorable customer reviews. But first, you need good reviews just to get customers to your website, because Google Search is more likely to recommend your website if it has highly rated reviews.

Reviews appear next to your business listing not only on Google Search but also on the very popular Google Maps (where customers are now looking for reviews as well as actual directions!) and can help your business stand out from the competition. Your local business can appear above others, even if you’re farther away – if you have better reviews! Your average star rating is the first fact about your business that’s displayed to potential customers, before any other information. The more positive ratings you can capture, the better chance you have of getting a customer’s attention and drawing them into your store.

If you’ve been putting off focusing on collecting online reviews, you can’t ignore it any more. In a review-centric market, businesses who collect more positive reviews have a huge advantage over those who don’t. You need to let your satisfied customers know that you would appreciate their online reviews and direct them to the easiest ways for them to do so. How can you do this? You should be requesting reviews on your website, with in-store signage, verbally upon in-person purchase, and by text. Tribely Reviews enables you to text your customers right away upon purchase, and put your Google Review directly in the palm of their hands, helping you collect more of those important customer reviews. Far from being annoying, requesting and responding to reviews actually lets your customers know that you care about their satisfaction and feedback. They just need to know that you want their reviews, and know how to leave them.

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June 19 2020

Please Review My Business!
4 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Reviewed

Alice Norman Reviews Reviews

As a business owner, you work hard to provide great service because you care about your customers, and may be surprised that you don’t receive more positive Google reviews. You’re not alone. Many studies show that around 90% of consumers look to online reviews to decide where to shop (with Google as the review site of choice), however, only half of customers leave reviews. Why could that be? Let’s put ourselves in their shoes to come up with some reasons why your customers aren’t leaving more reviews.

1. Your customers don’t know you want reviews

They don’t know you want them! If you want reviews, you have to explicitly ask for them. This could be through verbal requests, a visual reminder at checkout, and an app like Tribely that literally puts the request in their hands on their mobile phones. Collecting reviews has to be part of your business marketing strategy, and part of your business culture. That means all of your employees are aware that collecting reviews is part of their job, and are trained to ask for them.

2. Your customers simply forget to leave reviews

Think about how busy you are, and how many small tasks you have to complete throughout the day. Your customers are no different. As much as they enjoy your service or product, they can easily forget about you once they’ve moved on. That’s why timing is crucial when asking for a request for review. Ask for a review soon after service or sale so that they remember to do it. For local service providers, that means as soon as you’ve said “thank you” and “good bye”, the request for review is sent. It’s likely they’ll respond when your service and your smile is still fresh in their minds. Tribely enables you to click send when you know they’ve just left your store or made that purchase.

3. Your customers don’t know where to leave you a review

Not everyone is online savvy. As a business owner, you’ve likely put in a lot of effort to learn how Google search and Google Maps works, and hopefully you have a website and use social media platforms to reach your customers. Maybe you link to your reviews page online, but not all your customers know where to reach you and how to leave you a review online. Tribely makes it easy for them by providing one custom, direct link to your review so now it’s only two taps from their mobile device to get that 5-star review you’ve been wanting from them.

4. Your customers don’t care enough to leave you a review

The last reason is the hardest to hear, but it’s important to consider that if you’ve been making consistent attempts to collect reviews and still not receiving them, then maybe you haven’t crossed into the zone of excellence that customers expect in order to leave a positive review. As quick an act as it is to review (especially with an app like Tribely!), it does still require customers to put their names out there and vouch for you when they leave a review. They may still require that extra special service to know you care about them and that you’re grateful for their business. You might want to try more consistent contact (like thank-you emails and promotions), customer appreciation events, free perks, and just more time chatting and getting to know them. It’s loyal customers who feel appreciated that are more likely to leave reviews.