Aug 26, 2023
In the digital age, word-of-mouth has gone online, and it's more influential than ever. Online reviews have become a significant factor in how customers discover, evaluate, and select their service providers. For service businesses, from lawn care to pest control and HVAC, these reviews can be the difference between a phone ringing off the hook or gathering dust.
What are online reviews?
Online reviews are customer-generated evaluations and comments on the quality, service, and overall experience of dealing with a business. They are publicly posted on numerous platforms such as Google, Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific sites.
These reviews provide prospective customers with peer perspectives on a business, significantly influencing their decision-making process. Essentially, they've become the modern referral.
Why should service businesses care about online reviews?
Here are the key reasons why online reviews are vital for your business:
Boost visibility: Online reviews significantly affect your search engine rankings. Search engines like Google favor businesses with numerous high-quality reviews, displaying them more prominently. The more positive reviews you have, the more visible your business becomes to potential customers.
Enhance trust and credibility: In an industry where trust is vital, reviews serve as social proof of your business's reliability and quality of service. A high rating and positive reviews can quickly build customer confidence, even before they've picked up the phone.
Influence customer decision: Reviews often serve as the tipping point for customers choosing between different service providers. In fact, according to BrightLocal, 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses. High ratings and positive feedback can significantly sway their choice in your favor.
Feed into Google Local/Pro ads: Google's Local Services Ads, or Google Pro Ads, depend heavily on reviews and ratings. The better your reviews, the more likely you'll be placed at the top of the search results, attracting more leads.
Provide valuable customer feedback: Reviews can offer crucial insights into what you're doing well and areas where you need to improve. This feedback can guide service enhancements and improve customer satisfaction.
Online reviews are a powerful tool for service businesses. They influence customer choices, improve your online visibility, and provide valuable feedback. At Applause, we simplify the process of growing your online reviews, helping you build a stellar online reputation that drives your business success.
How Applause helps you get more online reviews
Take the case of Synergy Pest Control. They were struggling to generate online reviews, affecting their visibility and online lead conversion. Applause stepped in and helped Synergy by integrating into their CRM, and automating review requests after each service. Within the first month they saw a dramatic increase in their Google reviews, improving their online presence, customer trust, and new sales.
Started using their Google reviews product in June, and in 2.5 months we’ve received 249 5-star reviews! We’ve tried a couple different review programs, but never one that’s worked this well. Biggest difference seems to be technicians seem to be a lot more invested in driving reviews, because they get an automatic cash bonus in the app for every 5-star review that gets matched to them- normally get the bonus within an hour of the review being posted.
- Michael Park, Synergy Pest Control
Get started with Applause
Ready to harness the power of online reviews to grow your service business? Applause is here to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can assist you in collecting more reviews and enhancing your online reputation. Turn your satisfied customers into vocal online advocates for your business.