Many consumers begin their search for products and services online. There are dozens of review sites that can help you generate business.
It is virtually impossible to maintain profiles on all of them, so which ones do you invest your time in? SCORE provides free business mentoring services to business owners and here is some of what we recommend.
β’ Nextdoor.com is a social network of neighborhoods. Users are required to verify their name and address and are assigned an online account and can connect with their neighbors. The platform has a feature where neighbors can recommend a business. Because it is new, not many of your competitors know about it. The users ask for recommendations for services quite often, and they use service providers who are recommended to them by their neighbors.
β’ Google reviews are important because they help your business get found in the local search results on Google. The reviews also make your business stand out among the competition. Before you can begin, you need to add or claim your business on Google. For more information see support.google.com/business/answer/2911778 .
• Having a business profile on Yelp.com is necessary because so many consumers use Yelp to find services. Several of the business owners we talk to report significant business from their Yelp reviews.
β’ Houzz.com is another well kept secret that can be especially useful for professionals who provide services to homeowners. Users can create a free profile and obtain reviews.
There are several other review platforms, including Angies List, Better Business Bureau, Facebook, LinkedIn and others.
Online reviews can be a great source of business, but do not put all your eggs in one basket. You need a healthy mix of marketing channels including traditional advertising, online reviews and personal referrals.
Stay tuned for a future article on how to generate online reviews.
