We have all had that friend or relative who got ripped off while trying to complete a purchase online. The problematic part of such experience is that loved ones of the victim are usually subjected to the punishment of listening to the customer’s repeated complaints. Patrons of companies offering their products and services online, before now, lacked a platform where they could appreciate an excellent customer experience, or make their grievances known when not satisfied.
That gap has been filled in recent years by the floating of several review sites for businesses. Online reviews could be self-generated, meaning the company collects feedback on customer experience through features incorporated into their website. However, due to the apprehension of some customers about trusting reviews posted by companies, online shoppers have found solace in seeking the opinion of independent reviewers.
Here are some reasons why getting reviewed on independent sites would be of great benefit to the company concerned:
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More considerable influence on purchasing decisions
Shoppers who are first-time patrons of a service or product are very likely to base their decision to buy on the available reviews of the company. Knowing this fact, companies now encourage their customers to leave a review for every single transaction they complete.
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Search Engine Visibility
The leads generated for businesses on search engines are always a function of how diverse reviews from different online forums aids the brand’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Companies that have their assessment limited to the company’s website(s) will struggle in ranking high on Search Engine Results Pages. Google, for example, rates companies with snippets, based on the company’s reviews on various Google-recognized review sites.
The logic here makes the whole concept similar to the raffle draw; the more tickets you have in, the higher your odds of winning the draw. Only that search engines go beyond random SERP ranking, but utilize artificial intelligence in listing and rating companies that come up in users’ search.
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Positive reviews on independent sites grow brand authenticity
The success of a brand goes beyond providing customers with quality products and services; the little details like packaging and brand image are equally important. For this reason, endorsement of company brands by positive reviews from reputable sites goes a long way in enhancing the authenticity and acclaim of brands.
Instead of merely relying on feedback from the company’s very own review page, you could step up the company’s online reputation by paying a token for a review page on an independent review site. As users of your service or patrons of your product review your brand on the page, the reviews have a direct effect on the rating snippets displayed when your brand name is keyed into a search engine.
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All categories of independent review expand business footprint
Whenever a brand trends online, for either positive or negative reasons, it leaves a footprint. But, trust me, having no publicity at all is better than having a bad one, mainly is business. So, work on providing excellent customer experience through your products and services, and watch the positive reviews pile up.
