It’s no secret that online reviews are important for any
business, and acquiring reviews and incorporating them into your overall digital marketing plan is essential.
According to Brightlocal's 2020 Local Consumer Review Survey:
- 93% of consumers use the internet to find a local business
- 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses
- Only 48% of consumers would consider using a business with fewer than 4 stars
It’s no wonder then that big review platforms such as
Google and Yelp are go-to spots for businesses to garner reviews. Unfortunately, most companies stop
there, when in fact, many other online platforms will still add value. It's vital to get reviews in more places than just Google and Yelp to expand your brand's reach.
Here is a shortlist of top websites to get reviews to move you in the right direction:
1. Facebook Ratings and Reviews
If your business isn’t on Facebook, you’re really missing
out. Facebook is more than just posting statuses. Businesses are utilizing the
social media giant to grow their customer base and increase brand awareness.
One way to do this is by gaining Facebook reviews.
Facebook reviews provide suggestions for users on what they can include in their reviews. There's also a star rating shown, which is based on how many people recommend or don't recommend the page, as well as any past ratings and reviews it may have.
The more people who leave a review for a business, the more likely the page is to show
up in Facebook search and potentially in search engines as well.
2. Amazon Customer
Reviews
Arguably just as popular as Google and Yelp, Amazon is a key
player when gathering reviews for a product. Amazon is often a destination
where the visitor has the intent to purchase, so having stellar customer
reviews on your products is very often a make-or-break distinction.
Amazon uses a 5-star scale, and then purchasers are able to
write their own reviews underneath. You can also sort those reviews into “most
helpful” and “most recent” to narrow down what will most likely be a giant
list.
3. Consumer Reports Ratings and Reviews
Even though it has been around since 1936, Consumer Reports
is still one of the most trusted sources for product reviews.
Consumer Reports is unique in that its in-house testing
laboratory and survey research center tests and researches all its products
before posting reviews. As a non-profit company, its reviews are true and
unbiased.
According to Wikipedia, approximately 7 million people
subscribe to Consumer Reports, which is a huge, diverse audience to be missing
out on.
4. BBB Ratings
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a private, nonprofit organization that helps consumers find businesses and charities they can trust. Consumers are able to leave a rating and review for a business without having to register. Having a high rating and positive reviews on your BBB profile will establish your company as an authority and make your brand more trustworthy.
5. Tripadvisor Reviews
As the "world's largest travel platform," Tripadvisor is an ideal place to connect with travel and hospitality consumers. Users are able to browse hundreds of million reviews and opinions, as well as compare prices on hotels, flights, cruises, and more. In addition to its robust review platform, businesses can drive bookings and promote specials from their profile, generating more revenue!
Now that you know some great review alternatives
to Google and Yelp, let’s get your business out there! Increase your reviews and leads with the support of an
experienced digital marketing team. Give
us a call at 407.682.2222 or go online to
schedule a free 30-minute strategy session!
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.