Reputation Marketing is the proactive counterpart to reputation management. See how it can help you bring in more business. — Ken

Online reviews have become a hot topic in the digital marketing and business world over the past few years. Why? Because online reviews have an impact on not only consumer trust and the buying process but can also impact Google rankings and click-through rates

In a recent study by BrightLocal, the power of reviews was made very clear:

54% of people will visit the website after reading positive reviews

  • 73% of consumers think that reviews older than 3 months are no longer relevant
  • 74% of consumers say that positive reviews make them trust a local business more
  • 58% of consumers say that the star rating of a business is most important

Businesses that choose to ignore the power of online reviews will pay the price. That’s why it’s so important to get reviews AND then leverage those 5-star reviews once you get them so consumers know you are the business people can trust.

Reviews Are Front and Center in Search

Whenever you do a search on Google for a local business, you see review stars everywhere you look. That’s because Google wants to make sure that you go to a business that has the best reputation.

reviews-in-google-3-pack

Reputation Marketing Attracts New Business

You know how this works – We do business with those we Know, Like, & Trust.  We may not really know who we’re considering doing business with, but we can get a feel for them (maybe even like them) by checking out their website, social media, books etc.  And if we like what we see, we look for Trust indicators like Review stars, green checkmarks, and so on.  If you’ve ever shopped on Ebay, Amazon, or practically anywhere online, you instantly recognize those icons.

Reputation Marketing will bring them in.

Reputation Marketing takes advantage of Social Proof

By strategically placing your great reviews amongst your ads, web content, and sales funnels you tell your visitor that “Everyone loves me, and you should too.”  

Great reviews play a part in Search Engine Ranking

In addition to being an almost unconscious click magnet, having more and better reviews than a competitor will help your business get in the Google Maps Local 3-packs, and certainly boost your listing in organic search.  Reputation Marketing is one of the best ways to direct your marketing efforts.