Don’t Be Scared of Customer Feedback (There Are More Upsides Than Downsides)

Every business owner has nightmares of a single negative review ruining their company’s hard-earned and well-deserved reputation. Ironically, it’s this trepidation that prevents businesses from realizing the powerful effects of customer feedback. In reality, there are far more upsides than downsides when it comes to actively seek out client testimonials. Plus, the negative aspects can be avoided if you use the right strategies.

 

The benefits of customer feedback.

Increased online exposure.

Many business owners operate under the misconception that customer reviews are simply an informational resource potential customers use after finding their company. However, customer feedback plays a critical role in boosting a business’s online exposure. The more testimonials your business can garner, the easier it is for people to find you online.

How does that work, exactly? Well, every customer review acts as a unique piece of content relevant to your business that allows search engines like Google to rank your business higher in related search results. In general, businesses with more reviews are regarded as more authentic and higher-quality and, therefore, more worthy of exposure.

Boosted customer loyalty.

Customer loyalty is just one direction of a two-way street. The other side is maintained by businesses that actively seek out customer feedback. Clients are eager to share their experiences with your business and are more likely to keep coming back when they feel as though their opinion matters.

When you consider that repeat customers comprise a hefty percentage of a business’s overall income, the impact of increased loyalty shouldn’t be underestimated. Plus, potential customers will notice the loyalty of current clients and develop an improved image of your business as a result.

Improved customer experience.

Positive customer feedback is fantastic, but that doesn’t mean negative testimonials are a waste. In fact, it’s these reviews that make it possible for businesses to continue refining their customer service. Critical feedback can point out shortcomings in the customer experience that might have flown under the radar, giving business owners a valuable heads-up.

When handled properly, negative reviews actually have the power to push the needle of progress forward. The same can’t be said about positive reviews that act as a reinforcement rather than an opportunity for improvement.  When you respond proactively and constructively to critical feedback, customers will view your business as responsible, mindful, and caring.

Better conversion rates.

Getting people to your site is only half the battle. The most challenging part is converting these visitors into paying customers. Unsurprisingly, this is where most businesses have trouble. Although there are a number of factors that contribute to optimized conversion rates, too many business owners overlook the power of customer testimonials.

The numbers are quite clear. 93% of customers only consider purchasing a product before reading reviews. On top of that, nearly 55% of consumers read a minimum of four testimonials before whipping out their credit cards. When displayed prominently, customer feedback can act as your business’s most powerful marketing tool.

 

The problem with standard customer review sites.

There’s no denying the advantages of customer reviews, so why are so many businesses wary of feedback? Unfortunately, it’s review sites like Google and Yelp that hold the blame. Instead of allowing businesses to oversee and manage their customer reviews, these sites grant zero control. This leaves real, hard-working, and high-quality businesses at the whim of mysterious algorithms that leave little-to-no recourse.

 

How to make the most of customer testimonials.

In order to harness the true power of client feedback, business owners need to reclaim ownership of their reviews. hapigood is a unique customer review and reputation management software that helps companies escape from the Googles and Yelps to have greater say over what happens to reviews. Constructive feedback is properly channeled to customer service, and positive reviews are posted so everyone can see them. You no longer have to shy away from reviews!

 

Feel free to contact us today to learn more about hapigood and how it can positively impact your business.

How Reviews Can Improve Your Company’s Relationship with Customers

Customer relations is a foundational aspect of running a successful business, especially for small-to-medium-size companies with less exposure than their larger rivals. A business’s relationship with its clients has an impact on everything from conversion rates and reputation to marketing success and so much more. Although focusing on high-quality products and services can improve customer relations, there are other important components to take into account. Here, we’ll explore the various ways reviews can improve your company’s relationship with clients.

 

It’s an accurate measure of customer satisfaction.

A key to optimizing customer relations is knowing how customers feel. If you have a well-defined and accurate understanding of how your current and potential clients perceive your business, you’re in a better position to improve the experience. You’ll know what you’re doing right, what needs some tweaking, and what you should get rid of altogether. Reviews are the single most effective way to gain a precise, real-time, and unfiltered understanding of customer satisfaction. It’s a great way to save time, energy, and money all while gaining an accurate gauge of how your customers feel.

 

Customers feel heard.

Whether you’re responding to positive or negative feedback, customers appreciate it when businesses interact with their comments. It shows that you genuinely value their opinion and eagerly want to improve your business. Engaging with great feedback reinforces the client’s positive experience and encourages them to continue working with your business. On the other hand, responding to constructive feedback shows clients that you take their concerns seriously and want to solve the problem. In both scenarios, the customer will feel heard and understood which increases the likelihood they’ll decide to work with you again.

 

Reviews can improve customer service.

The benefit of client feedback on customer relations isn’t just limited to positive reviews. In fact, some of the best changes can come from critical reviews. While positive feedback is great for building reputation, loyalty, and awareness, it does little in way of improving how your business operates. Conversely, critical reviews highlight areas where your business is falling short in the customer experience. Addressing these issues can drastically improve your company’s relationship with existing and future customers. The trick is seeing critical reviews as opportunities for improvement instead of an attack or threat to your business.

 

Potential customers love client testimonials.

People spend hours, days, and sometimes even weeks researching a business before spending their money. With customer testimonials influencing 93% of purchasing choices, it’s clear what potential customers care about the most: reviews! Although it’s crucial to include information about your offerings and company online, you make it so much easier for potential clients to make an informed decision about your business by curating feedback from previous customers. It lends a level of credence that your brand can’t achieve alone. By simplifying the research process for clients who are on the fence, you’ll further improve your relationship with customers.

 

Why most review sites fail businesses.

Some of the biggest obstacles preventing businesses from making the most of customer feedback are actually the review sites themselves. Google, Yelp, and other conventional review platforms severely limit the control businesses have over their client feedback. Positive reviews aren’t properly bolstered for potential customers and critical reviews aren’t effectively channeled to resolve issues that arise That’s where hapigood comes into play!

 

This one-of-a-kind customer review and reputation management platform is designed to put businesses back in the driver’s seat when it comes to client feedback. hapigood makes it easier for businesses to source reviews, promote positive testimonials, respond to negative client experiences, and reap all the myriad benefits of customer feedback.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about what hapigood can offer and how your business can benefit, contact us today. We’re already helping a host of small businesses improve their review and reputation management. Your business should be next!