You’ve heard the stats about the impact online reviews has on a business, but let me state them one more time. 90% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase and about 80% of these people trust online reviews more than their family and friends. That’s a lot of trust, if you ask me. So, online reviews can have a major impact on your business. The question is where do you start? We are here to help. There is no need to panic. After you read this you will be able to conquer your online reviews like a pro.

Start with an Audit.

This may seem daunting, but if you haven’t kept up with what people are saying about you then you are out of the loop. You need to determine what the bulk of your reviews are saying. Are they mostly positive or are they mostly negative? We all hope for positive reviews, but there are bound to be a few negative ones as well. Determine where you went wrong with the negative ones and see what you were doing right with the positive ones.

Address the Negatives, Thank the Positives.

In other terms, respond to your reviewers. Be thankful to those who have put in a good word about your business. They have just done you a tremendous favor. You have to also respond to negative reviews. Don’t just ignore them! This will only increase your problem. First determine what went wrong on your end. Then respond in a professional manner. How you respond will determine how others perceive your business, so make sure you respond property and in a timely manner.

Ask for More.

Asking politely for a review can help your business get more positive reviews. According to a survey by  BrightLocal 7 out 0f 10 consumers will leave a review for a business if they are asked. If you have obtained a customer’s email with permission, then you can send them a request to leave you a review. This may seem like a big job for just one person, however it is worth the effort you put in. More positive reviews will help you maintain a positive online image and even helps with your SEO rankings.

Are you still unsure how to go about conquering your online reviews? The concept seems easy enough, but if you are pressed for time and can’t properly maintain and monitor your online reviews, then we have a solution for you! With Smart Review Management you can take control of your reviews. It helps you manage, monitor, and ask for more reviews to maintain a positive reputation with easy.