Writing reviews for businesses or providing them valuable feedback is not a new concept. We’ve seen “suggestion” boxes on the counters of our favorite establishments for decades. Google, Bing, and Yahoo Local have had “Reviews” incorporated in their online tools for years. Slowly over time, people have started providing reviews for businesses, as well as relying on them in their buying decisions.
With the advent of social media and the soaring trend toward mobile reliance, one thing is clear. It’s the power of “reviews” that lends value, credibility, and long-term stability to all newer marketing strategies. Word of mouth, referrals, and reviews are what pulls things together and makes a Remark!able difference for small businesses.
So, have you taken the time to write a review for a business you love? When you have an unexpected experience or value-add provided to you by a company, do you look them up and take two minutes to provide them with a thoughtful review? You should!
Reasons to Write Reviews
- A review(s) for one local small business, in contrast to a couple competitors with no reviews on Google Local for example, can be the deciding factor in potential sales. If you’re a Buy Local enthusiast, support your local businesses with reviews!
- Reviews enhance the search or shopping experience for other people. As people new to the area or business look to other customers for feedback, it reduces time and serves as a great starting point.
- Reviews are simple and fast to write. Since they should be from personal experience, they only need to include what you’d like to say; no marketing speak.
- It’s the right thing to do. It’s a nice thing to do. It helps your fellow neighbor, and it’s a great way to help spread the word about a great business who deserves some help boosting their marketing reach.
If you want to write a review for a business, check out this list of some of the “best” places to leave a review that may have the most impact. If you have one to add to this list, please leave it in the comment section below!
Best Places to Leave Reviews
- Google Local
- Yahoo Local
- Bing Local
- Yelp
- Facebook (New! recommendation section on the right of fan pages)
- Website (many ask for reviews on their site)
- Mamapedia
- HotFrog
- Google HotPot
I was pleased to be able to provide a review for a local business this morning, which you can view on Google Local here.
Remark!able businesses deserve Remark!able reviews. It’s not something someone else should do. Take a moment and write a review if you can.
Great suggestions! The site This Blogger Makes Fun of Stuff is excellent for getting honest opinions about products and services. They accept submissions as well. The site is: http://www.makesfunofstuff.com/
Thanks Jennifer, I hadn’t heard about that blog before, but I checked it out. It is quite refreshing and not necessarily as negative as the name implies. There’s a lot of honesty on the blog and a wonderful encouragement to people to share their experiences. Thanks for sharing!
I am going to try to make a habit of doing this more often. Like giving recommendations on linkedin, it feels good to recognize someone for a job well done…. or occasionally vent a bit about bad service as well if needed.
We recently have been working on a contest with Google Places. We have 1 week to review as many Local Madison WI business as we can. I will let you know how it helps the Madison area!
Wendy
xeeme.com/wendysoucie
Michelle, one of the great things about your recommendation is that reviews tell business owners what their clients REALLY appreciate about the business. Sometimes that’s very different than what the owner THINKS is most important to the client.
Also, you’re absolutely right that it’s good karma to let people and businesses know we appreciate them – and the world can always use more of that positive energy!