One of the many strategies startups, growing, and established businesses must prioritize is generating a steady stream of online reviews. Between mobile “near me” searches and researching a business they’ve been referred to, over 70 percent of consumers head online before heading in-store. One of prospects’ many determining factors will be your online reviews. Here are tips for how to ethically generate a steady stream of online reviews utilizing wall mountable LED monitors, digital marketing, and other cross-channel marketing strategies.
Why Reviews Matter?
Online consumer and product reviews are nothing new, but they’ve never been more important. Not only does a steady stream of reviews help consumers decide between you and a competitor—but reviews can boost your search engine optimization (SEO).
SEO is a complex and multi-faceted strategy, but the importance of positive Google My Business (GMB) reviews is an often underestimated strategy. A steady stream of GMB reviews can gradually increase your page rank from page 5+ to page 1 or 2. Regardless of your SEO page rank, the more consistently you generate 4 and 5-star reviews—the higher you will rank in “near me” GMB results.
Currently, only brick-and-mortar businesses can create a GMB account. Once your account is live, consider hiring a GMB expert to properly categorize and fill out your account information. This alone can rapidly improve your SEO. Also, be sure to update your information as it changes. For example, when your business hours change, or you move to a new address.
What Review Sites To Join?
While GMB is a powerful driver for page rank and “near me” searches, also create profiles on industry and local review sites. Don’t forget to create a Facebook business page so that you can generate reviews there too. While other review sites may not help as much with page rank, they are essential for word of mouth marketing.
A few popular review sites include:
- Yelp
- Trip Advisor
- Zillow
- Trulia
- ZocDoc
- OpenTable
- Avvo
- Nextdoor
- And more
Now, let’s discuss how to generate more reviews?
6 Cross-Channel Marketing Methods to Ethically Generate Consumer Reviews
Review site algorithms are advanced and can easily determine when reviews are purchased or fake. If you are caught purchasing reviews, your business will be banned from the review site indefinitely—so don’t risk it. Moreover, these sites are increasingly aware of a tactic some fringe groups of people utilize in order to “review bomb” your site, or mass report your site for a variety of reasons because they saw something about your company they did not like. There are great ways to ethically generate consumer reviews, however, with the tips below.
Leverage Wall Mountable LED Monitors
If you simply ask, an average of 7 out of 10 customers will leave a review. However, it may not cross their mind if you don’t ask. Since businesses across all industries are strategically adding window, counter, floor, and wall mounted LED monitors to their retail location—asking your customs to leave a review on your wall mounted LED monitors are one way to request reviews.
Most businesses utilize their digital signs for multi-purpose communications, ads, promotions, price lists, entertainment, and safety reminders. Whether it’s at the bottom of a promotional post or informational, be sure to let customers know where they can leave online reviews. If possible, place at a printed or digital sign near the register or exit.
Email Marketing
If you send out a monthly email newsletter, a series of opt-in emails, or post-purchase emails—be sure to request reviews. This is as simple as a sentence you add to the footer of each email with a link to the review sites that are your top priority. A 2 to 7-day post-purchase or post-experience email is also an excellent time to send a formal review request.
The email title could be something along the lines of “We Would Love To Know How You Enjoyed Your Stay in Our Hotel?” The email itself can be short and sweet, including your direct contact information and a link to your top 2 or 3 review platforms.
App Marketing
An increased number of consumers prefer to communicate via automated SMS or text messaging. For example, instead of emailing an appointment reminder, send it directly to their phone. Whether for an appointment or purchase, you can follow up with a request to leave an online review. Always provide a direct link to your preferred review site.
As an added bonus, app open rates average around 80 percent, while email open rates are typically 33 percent or less. So, app messaging can be a powerful strategy for a variety of marketing purposes.
Review Incentives
If you have a startup, business with fewer than 100 reviews, or the reviews only trickle in—consider creating a review incentive. For example, the 1,000th reviewer gets a free meal or everyone who leaves a review this month is entered into a raffle for a $100 gift certificate.
Wall mountable LED monitors are the ideal place to post your review incentive, but also spread the word by word of mouth and on social media. Be sure to post the winner on social media too.
Verbally Request Reviews
Never underestimate the power of verbal requests. Whether it’s your cashier, sales rep, or account supervisor—encourage your team to ask for reviews. Also, consider adding review requests to their printed or electronic receipt.
Always be enthusiastic and respectful of their time. For example, “We would love to hear what you think. Please take a minute or two to leave a review.”
Third-Party Review Optimizers
Another option is to hire a third-party review optimizer. These are often digital marketing or online branding experts who specialize in establishing and growing online presence. They will help you determine which review sites are most valuable for both SEO and word of mouth referrals.
Many implement advanced technology that pre-screens reviews so that only 4 and 5-star reviews are forwarded on to review sites. Lower star reviews are sent directly to you so that you may address them internally. Their technology may also push each review to multiple review platforms.
Need A Few New Wall Mountable LED Monitors?
If you are looking to optimize your cross-channel marketing with LEDs, we invite you to reach out to Mega LED Technology. We custom build our screens from scratch to your precise size and specs. Get your FREE quote today!
