Customer reviews play a key role in shaping your company’s reputation and influencing purchasing decisions. But what can you do if your business lacks reviews on popular platforms? That’s where Meinungsmeister can help.
Reviews build trust among users and are highly relevant to Google. A large number of positive reviews signals to Google that your business is popular and provides value to users. Companies with strong review profiles tend to attract more visits and engagement.
According to searchengineland.com, 88% of users say they have read Google reviews of local businesses – and 35% do so regularly. Only 12% say they have never read reviews.
However, reviews alone don’t significantly impact ranking or visibility. To achieve that, you need additional marketing measures and a consistent presence across all portals and directories. Still, reviews contribute to a modern, professional online image and help potential customers find your website and choose your business.
So, what can you do to get genuine, high-quality reviews?
5 tips for your review management
1. Find the right platforms
To enable your customers to rate you, you should ensure that you are represented with correct and consistent data on all platforms where you can be rated.
2. Ask long-standing customers for positive reviews
Satisfied customers can help boost your business. So why not ask long-standing, happy clients for a review? The best time to do this is right after they’ve had a positive experience with your company. You can easily make the request during an in-person conversation or over the phone.
3. Never pay for fake reviews
Fake reviews are often created using so-called “sock puppet” accounts – additional user profiles set up for a specific purpose. One common reason is to make certain opinions, in this case reviews, appear more credible and influence public perception. Signs of fake reviews can include incorrect details about the location or product, or a large number of reviews posted in quick succession. Users usually spot fake reviews quickly, which leads to mistrust and, ultimately, loss of customers.
4. Business cards with QR code for the review portal
Although QR codes are rarely used, they can speed up the evaluation process when printed on business cards or cardboard displays.
5. Use a service provider to generate reviews
There are various service providers who can help you generate reviews with their review products. Depending on your needs and industry, there are suitable products such as free customer Wi-Fi that redirects to a review page as soon as you connect to the Wi-Fi, review apps or paper review forms/cards.
Of course, among all the positive comments about your company, there will occasionally be one or two reviews with fewer stars. Try to deal with these calmly. A few tips on how to deal with (negative) reviews can help here.
Generate reviews with Meinungsmeister
As an online marketing agency, we work with a strong partner for generating reviews: Meinungsmeister. With its rating system, Meinungsmeister helps businesses collect honest, genuine customer feedback and strengthen their online reputation. It belongs to the family of major German directory publishers, which also operates Yellow Pages, Das Telefonbuch, Das Örtliche, GoYellow, and the large review platform GoLocal. Meinungsmeister offers the right solution for every need, with a wide range of products designed to deliver the best fit for any business.
For example, Meinungsmeister WiFi lets you offer customers free WiFi while collecting their email addresses. This product is ideal for businesses where customers spend more time on-site, such as medical practices or car dealerships.
Another digital option is the review app, available with or without a tablet. The app works without an internet connection or user registration and can be used flexibly at the point of sale or on the go at the customer’s location.
Recommendation cards are another practical tool. They can be handed out on-site or included with invoices or orders. These cards function like business cards with a QR code that links directly to a review page, and the entire back can be used for advertising purposes.
Beyond digital solutions, Meinungsmeister also offers options for customers who are less internet-savvy but still want to share their feedback. The classic review form is perfect for this. Although the reviews are published online, the process is simple for customers without internet access. When you place an order, you’ll receive a collection box along with the forms. Completed forms are sent to Meinungsmeister, where they are digitised and distributed across the relevant review platforms.
Curious?
The advangers are happy to help!
Opinion Leader: The Benefits of Review Generation at a Glance
- Acquiring new customers through honest and authentic reviews
- Notification of new reviews
- Distribution of reviews to the partner directories Yellow Pages, The Telephone Directory, Das Örtliche, 11880, GoYellow and GoLocal
- Immediate response to positive and negative reviews possible
