You are already aware that word-of-mouth generates much more impact on your business’ credibility than you can ever picture. Businesses are no longer the controller of their brand, consumers are. Positive your business's online reputation, more sales, and growth. And online prestige is highly dependent on the sorts of reviews publicized by the consumers.
If you own a business, you want to start focusing on the online reputation of your brand if you don’t already.
What are online reviews?
Online reviews, also known as feedbacks are a set of opinions provided by the customers to a brand after utilizing and experiencing a product or service. These can be spotted all over the internet in the form of ratings, pictures, and videos, or simple statement reviews. Online reviews are the key for brands to improve their services and also build the trust of customers. Lately, specialized applications and websites are being launched that possess reviews provided online, specifically for reference purposes. So, if you want to drive traffic to your brand’s website, you know where to go!
Who reads online reviews?
Online reviews are mostly read by 2 individuals-
First, the consumers. Did you know that about 9 out of 10 customers across the globe tend to read reviews online before putting their hands on a product? That sums up to around 90 percent! If you didn't make it by now, reviews on the internet are primarily read by those consumers who are about to buy their desired product or service. As a consumer, they can now make up their mind whether to purchase the product or not.
Second, the brand or business itself. Apart from the consumers, brands or the organization read their reviews on websites to obtain a better understanding of their target consumers. This way, brands can satisfy their needs while fostering the growth of their business at the same time. Some brands happen to hire specialized individuals to keep a check on the reviews acquired by them.
How online reviews can drive more online sales?
Reviews by consumers need not be positive. Around 45 % of consumers claimed that they are more likely to visit a website if it responds to negative reviews. It is not the negative feedbacks that will degrade your brand, it is how your brand responds to those feedbacks. Consumers look forward to your brand to enhance their prior experiences. And if you are lucky, they might as well recommend it to their friends, family, or colleagues.
We have few ways in which Online reviews influence the sales of your business-
Reviews widely affect the purchase decision of consumers
If you were to buy a product online, you will surely scroll through the feedbacks provided under that product. If you find them in your favor, you will get that product. This is how a review function. The same works for negative reviews. Better the review, the more positive influence on your business; hence better the sales.
Reviews promote search engine optimization (SEO)
Developing an SEO-friendly webpage is not a very time-bound and inexpensive matter. Some consumers use effective keywords while registering their reviews about a product. Furthermore, using such keywords might additionally enhance the search rankings by at least ten percent and ease the SEO process for other consumers planning to buy the product, mainly by enabling them to set their eyes on some up-to-date content, saving a lot of their time and energy.
Reviews are the new-age marketing tools
Considering a substantial shift from traditional to online marketing, several marketing tools such as advertisements, print, and social media, have been established to be the latest tools to boost sales. Well, guess what? Reviews are the latest marketing tools! And the best thing is that they are absolutely free and very effective for promoting your business. So, if you want to publicize for free, go for online reviews.
Reviews affect trust and understanding of consumers
While shopping online, consumers might undergo trust issues as all they have are images of their desired product. Ecommerce does not permit touching and feeling a product in person, like traditional shopping. This is when reviews come in handy and help build the consumer's trust. A consumer can now judge the quality of a product by reading reviews online as social proof.
Conclusion
Expecting consumers to buy your product or service simply by showcasing it via pictures and videos does not cause them to buy instantly. That's just human nature. But when they read the feedbacks, ratings, and reviews, they make up their minds and choose to go for it. When we claim that online reviews influence sales, various factors should be considered such as Star ratings, expensive products, verified buyers, anonymous reviews, and many more. Hence, Online reviews can in no way be ignored and if used right, can be the door to a successful business in the new E-commerce era.
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