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Infographic: 4 successful ways to use customer reviews to increase revenue (PDF download)
Your customers are your biggest asset, and their reviews are a powerful way to increase your business’s revenue. Yet, many business owners are hesitant to use their customer reviews, or they don't know how to use them effectively. If you're not already leveraging the power of your customer reviews, then you need to get started now.
Customer reviews are a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. They can help you increase your revenue, improve your customer service, and stand out from your competitors.
Studies show that approximately 93% of shoppers read online reviews before making a purchase, and 84% state that they trust online reviews just as much as a personal recommendation from a friend. The more positive reviews your business receives, the more likely it is that potential customers will trust your brand.
While most brands are satisfied with having a collection of reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau, Google My Business, Yelp, and even their own websites, they don't realize that they can actually put those reviews to work to further increase their revenue.
Customer reviews are critical for businesses, so how can you use them to your advantage? Instead of simply collecting reviews and hoping your target audience stumbles upon them, try out these four successful methods for using customer reviews to increase revenue:
1. User-generated content (UGC)
Sharing user-generated content is a great way to leverage the power of customer reviews by getting people talking about your brand online. As you begin collecting reviews from existing clientele, you can quote them in all your content from blog posts to email marketing campaigns.
Don't be afraid to feature your reviews as UGC. A study by Nielsen Consumer Trust Index concluded that approximately 92% of consumers trust UGC more than traditional advertising methods. So, use it to your advantage!
2. Feature customer reviews on your social media
As you build your social media presence, it's essential to include customer reviews as part of your marketing strategy. The more people you can get talking about your brand online, the more likely you are to get more customers.
Since approximately 71% of consumers make a purchase decision based on social media recommendations, it is a great platform for sharing your customer reviews to attract more potential customers and encourage them to purchase.
3. Social proof on landing pages
Customer reviews are also a great way to add social proof to your landing pages. Social proof is the perception that a particular product or service is legitimate, safe, or correct. It can make a huge difference when convincing people to buy from you.
Including reviews on your landing pages helps convince new buyers to take immediate action, especially since they won't have to search far and wide for reviews before they decide to buy.
This convenience factor will go a long way in creating a positive user experience, and that experience will also make them more likely to leave a positive review of their own and share their experience with their friends.
4. Leverage customer reviews in abandoned cart messages
Approximately 88% of online shopping orders will be abandoned by consumers. However, that doesn't mean the sale is completely lost. You can still use the data you collect from these abandoned carts to improve your conversion rate and increase revenue.
When someone abandons a product page, they were likely given little reason to fulfill the final conversion. Instead of letting that potential sale fall flat, start including existing customer reviews in your abandoned cart messages. These reviews should be related to the specific product/service that the person was considering. This level of personalization will show your customers that you are paying attention to them and their interests.
Increase your customer reviews by getting accredited by the BBB
As you begin to leverage the power of customer reviews, make sure you're using them to their full potential. One of the best ways to fully harness the power of customer reviews is by getting your business accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Getting accredited by the BBB is a great way to show that you're a trustworthy business that values your customers. It also shows that you're serious about providing exceptional customer service.
Get accredited by the Better Business Bureau today.