. BY BERNIE HARSEVOORT

Getting reviews from your customers has always been a beneficial exercise for business, but today its importance is even greater.

There are three main benefits of getting customer reviews; first, to acquire testimonials you can use in marketing your business: second, to better understand what you are doing right and/or wrong as a business; and third, to improve the visibility of your business on Google. In regards to the latter, the importance of accumulating genuine and honest reviews of your services online is ever increasing. Although you may have all the other elements of your local search strategy covered, the power of review data should not be underestimated.

First, the power of the customer testimonial cannot be underestimated in its influence on other potential customers. You can tell me you are nice, and I may believe you. However, if an unbiased third party tells me you are nice, I’d be much more inclined to believe it. In fact, one recent study suggests that customer reviews are the most powerful purchase influence. Another study found that 88% of consumers consult reviews before making a purchase, and yet another study indicated that 63% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from a site that has customer reviews.

One hesitation businesses have in soliciting online reviews is the fear of receiving a bad review. However, receiving the odd bad review is not necessarily a bad thing. Actively replying to bad reviews and looking to resolve a situation illustrates to your new potential customers that you care about your clients. A study actually found that bad reviews can increase conversion by 67%.

So, why are testimonials so important in an SEO strategy? In Google’s pursuit to deliver the most relevant and beneficial results for local searches, they not only want to know what your business does but how your business is perceived. They do this, in large part, by seeing how many reviews you have and what your average customer rating is. Want proof? The tour illustrating the features of the new Google Maps states outright that the “highest-rated” businesses near you will be returned when you search with local intent. Google also recently updated its map search layout to show ratings and reviews much more prominently. Additionally, with Google, content is king; adding user-generated content on your site or your Google plus page is a great way to add new, fresh, and unique content.

The quality and quantity of reviews on Google is one of the most important ranking factors for local SEO. And, when a person scans the search results for a local product or service in Google, the business listings that include customer reviews present greater credibility and, naturally, receive more clicks. If your search result listing shows a 4.5-star rating with 18 reviews (and your competitor listings show less), that’s strong social proof that your product or service is trustworthy.

Another fact to be conscious of is that, in today’s day and age, your clients will review your products or services whether you want it or not. Even if reviews are not posted to your site, there are numerous websites such as Yelp, Trip Advisor, and social media sites where reviews will appear. To maximize the effect of your reviews, and to maintain as much control over them as you can, prompting your customers to leave reviews about your company on your Google+ Local page should be your first priority.

Now that we’ve established the importance of customer reviews, specifically online reviews, how do you get your customers to write reviews for your business? First, and most importantly, have great customer service. Happy customers mean good ratings and reviews. Secondly, you need to have an active strategy in place to encourage reviews rather than waiting for it to happen naturally. An easy way to start collecting online reviews is to ask family and friends to review your business. Next, put a strategy in place for asking both existing and new customers following their purchase; the more immediately this is done, the more likely you are to review a review from them. And, make it as easy as possible for your customers to leave a review, including an obvious link right off your own website to leave a review.

One warning – never pay for reviews. That includes offering product incentives in exchange for reviews (eg. free pizza slice for showing a completed review). While it may offer the best incentive for soliciting reviews, it is against Google’s terms of service. If you are found out, it will greatly harm your Google ranking.

How easy it is for your customers to leave reviews about your company? At Rocket Digital, we can help you establish and execute an effective strategy for encouraging more customer reviews to greatly benefit your business, especially as part of an overall SEO strategy.

GAZZUZZ:


you were looking for a cheap car, you didn't have all the cash, you went with a technician to test the car he passed it off as ok. The repairs according to you were not done here in nigeria, you repaired the car without the consent of the seller. How does it become the fault of the seller?

A car dealer with over 100 vehicles do you think he has the time to drive test every one of them?

The dealer was fair to you.

Personally I think you were so much in a hurry to ditch the car and buy another.

[b]A lucky individual has now Bought same car, replaced the transmission and will live happily ever after.


When you want to buy a car, go with complete money. The Car dealer Does not run a charity organisation.


My personal view.

doroboss:
Since this thread is for educational purposes, let's look at this example, it's a business with a 4.5rating and only 7reviews! One would say wow nice out fit let's visit, but a closer review will show some fraud was utilised to get such high ratings.

Doroboss

legalwealth:





Gazzuzz, Gazzuzzautos , NCSNIGERIA , gazzuz, gazuzz

Swear by gods of what you work on since it is hard for you to reply with Amen In Jesus Name to my declaration in the name of God of Ayo Joseph Babalola, that you never contributed let alone touched the lemon Lexus Es 350 that Calculusx sold to me either before or after.

There we go! !!

legalwealth:
Let"s make reference to https://www.nairaland.com/3517830/ijam-exchanges-customer-support-thread/3

GAZZUZZ:


you were looking for a cheap car, you didn't have all the cash, you went with a technician to test the car he passed it off as ok. The repairs according to you were not done here in nigeria, you repaired the car without the consent of the seller. How does it become the fault of the seller?

A car dealer with over 100 vehicles do you think he has the time to drive test every one of them?

The dealer was fair to you.

Personally I think you were so much in a hurry to ditch the car and buy another.

[b]A lucky individual has now Bought same car, replaced the transmission and will live happily ever after.


When you want to buy a car, go with complete money. The Car dealer Does not run a charity organisation.


My personal view.

Ridemeapp:
Legalwealth have you seen what you caused? Now it's spreading, more threads being opened, before you know it will reach facbook.

obekediamondfuto:


he is hell bent on ruining himself.
hate and greed has taken over him...

what has Gazuzz done to him? one might ask? why does he hate Gazuzz so much?

I'm really baffled!

dannybrasky:
He failed to pull down the mathematician,now GAZZUZZ's is next. Him don fail already.

maybe he might want to try vehicle repairs too

Back to the thread title, what's the use of Google rating/review service?

GAZZUZZ:


maybe he might want to try vehicle repairs too

Back to the thread title, what's the use of Google rating/review service?

legalwealth:
Your monikers gazzuzz and gazzuzzautos can be spotted at once viewing this thread.

When will your other monikers NCSNIGERIA, gazuzz, gazzuzz amidst other ones come viewing this thread?

obekediamondfuto:
The question that is too difficult for saint Segun to answer!

DID YOU REVIEW GAZUZZAUTOS ON GOOGLE WITHOUT USING HIS SERVICES?

Rextizzle:
Since the accusation days of the ripper inspired autos that was when I gave up on these guys.

They are either cheats or rippers, I will rather buy my car myself than give a dishonest vagabond that will rip me off, most dealings I have had with Nigerians turns out bad, it's either we quarrel or likely throw insults, one thing I hate in my life is dishonesty, since then I rather go buy myself, I don't have time for stupid people.

jodecibmw:
Op sorry for the experience, even though you're being hit by "it's your fault, you should have carried out due diligence ish". I still maintain that to be a successful business man, one has to possess, uphold and maintain honesty, integrity, trust and quality customer service/relations, anything other than these shows fraudulent personality and dubious intentions.
Without trust humanity is finished, one cannot even stand by his word, it usually takes but one bad deal to destroy an empire or business and to regain such trust is almost impossible. Once people start car salesmanship they try to start well, when they begin to grow in patronage they usually get arrogant and dis-respectful.
A good person would have disclosed the true problems with the car to the intending buyer and allow them to make their decisions. Anyway it's because of these unscrupulous sellers that we need people like CarguideNG etc to help us to know the facts/history of such cars and also a good and reliable auto-technician to inspect prior to purchase.
In all thanks for sharing for others to be informed that all that glitters is not gold and that dealers no matter their level could be evil.
Just remembered one phrase right now.. this table you're shaking is unshakable..
If I intend to purchase a car like say from gazzuzz, kingreign & co and I can't trust them by still having to carryout due diligence before buying just so to avoid buying a lemon then I'll know that there is a major problem..

thebigkendo:
All of you saying transmission repair was done in the obodo oyibo..
www.nairaland.com/attachments/8298763_screenshot20181210235309gallery_jpeg208d7d5a73ed01e25995a3eb1ef8b682

Does this looks like a transmission Job done in the obodo oyibo? Transmission job done in the obodo appeared in the carfax report, so most probably done at a reputable repair shop.

DROPS MIX

GAZZUZZ:


you were looking for a cheap car, you didn't have all the cash, you went with a technician to test the car he passed it off as ok. The repairs according to you were not done here in nigeria, you repaired the car without the consent of the seller. How does it become the fault of the seller?

A car dealer with over 100 vehicles do you think he has the time to drive test every one of them?

The dealer was fair to you.

Personally I think you were so much in a hurry to ditch the car and buy another.

A lucky individual has now Bought same car, replaced the transmission and will live happily ever after.


When you want to buy a car, go with complete money. The Car dealer Does not run a charity organisation.


My personal view.

GAZZUZZ:


you are mad! I repeat you are mad. Idiot! How dare you defame my character! I could sue you for this.

You were looking for a charity car and you found one and you want to drag my name thru the mud?

Next time if you want to buy a car for N1 go to the market with N1 not 70kobo. There is no free food out there. Car dealerships are not charity organisations.

Be warned! You drag my name thru the mud 1 more time and I swear I will take it personally.

falzthebadguy:
I will never trust any business that creates False reviews, it just shows they cannot be trusted! Who does that!