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Online Review Management: Taming the Wild West of Online Reviews

Are you tired of scrolling through pages of negative comments about your business online? You’re not alone! With the rise of online shopping and social media, online reviews have become a crucial part of a business’s reputation.

But don’t panic just yet! With a few simple steps, you can take control of your online image and turn those frowns upside down. Here’s how:

Claim your profiles: Make sure you have claimed all of your business profiles on review sites such as Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Facebook. This way, you have access to the reviews and can respond to them in a timely manner.

Respond to reviews: Whether they’re good or bad, it’s important to respond to all of your reviews. A quick “Thank you” to a positive review can make a customer’s day, while addressing any issues raised in a negative review can show potential customers that you’re proactive and willing to make things right.

Encourage happy customers to leave a review: Don’t be shy about asking for reviews from your satisfied customers. You can send a follow-up email or include a review request with their receipt. The more positive reviews you have, the better!

Don’t fake it: We know it’s tempting to try and “boost” your online reputation by leaving fake reviews, but resist the urge. Not only is it unethical, but it’s also against the terms of service of most review sites. Plus, if you’re caught, it could do more harm than good.

Stay positive: Even when faced with a negative review, try to stay positive and professional. Responding with anger or defensiveness is only going to make the situation worse. Instead, apologize for any inconvenience and offer to make it right.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to take control of your online image and turn those frowns upside down. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

Examples:

If a customer leaves a negative review about a long wait time, you can respond to customer reviews like: “We’re sorry to hear that your visit didn’t meet your expectations. We’re always working to improve our wait times, and we appreciate your feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to make it up to you in the future.”

If a customer leaves a positive review about a great meal, you can respond with something like: “Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your meal and that you had such a wonderful experience. We hope to see you again soon!”

In conclusion, managing your online reviews can seem overwhelming, but with a little bit of effort, you can take control of your online image and turn those frowns upside down. So put on your cowboy hat and grab your lasso, it’s time to tame the wild west of online reviews!

Amit Desai

Marketing & communications professional with 25+ years of experience in product development and marketing, growth hacking, strategic marketing, consumer insight, brand & product strategy, interactive & digital marketing, creative development, public relations, media planning & buying, direct-marketing - across top FMCG / Consumer Durables / Retail and Financial Services Categories and Brands.

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