Love them or hate them, they’re here to stay. Online customer reviews are incredibly important in the modern world. They serve as authentic testimonials from real customers, offering valuable insights into your company's products or services. For outdoor recreation businesses in particular, customer reviews can attract new customers and encourage more bookings
According to a recent study, “90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. And 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.” Not convinced? The study also found that:
Customers are likely to spend 31% more on a business with “excellent” reviews
72% say that positive reviews make them trust a local business more
92% of users will use a local business if it has at least a 4-star rating
72% of consumers will take action only after reading a positive review
We’ve seen the data, now let’s take a look at why customer reviews matter:
They build trust and credibility: Customer reviews act as social proof, showing potential renters that others have had positive experiences with your business. This instills trust and credibility, making potential customers more likely to choose your services.
They improve your visibility: Search engines like Google take reviews into account when ranking businesses. More reviews can lead to higher search rankings, increasing your online visibility and attracting more customers.
They provide constructive feedback: Reviews can provide valuable feedback on your services, highlighting what you do well and areas that may need improvement. This insight can help you fine-tune your offerings and enhance the customer experience.
They’re free marketing: Positive reviews can be shared on social media and among friends and family, essentially serving as free advertising. People are more likely to try a service that has been recommended by someone they trust.
They’ll give you a competitive advantage: Having a higher number of positive reviews can set you apart from your competitors. Customers are more likely to choose a business with a strong review history over one with few or negative reviews.
Now that we understand why customer reviews are so important, let’s talk about how you can start to gather them.
The first step is to utilize online review platforms. Create pages for your business on all the popular platforms like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. These platforms have a wide user base, and positive reviews here can significantly boost your business. Once you’ve got your pages setup, it’s time to start collecting reviews!
Here’s how:
Provide Exceptional Customer Service: The foundation of positive reviews is outstanding service. Your customers are already getting a seamless booking experience through Recreogo, so all you need to do is take care of them once they arrive. Happy customers are more likely to leave positive feedback.
Ask For Them: After you’ve provided the customer with an amazing experience, don't be afraid to ask them for reviews. You can do this through email follow-ups, after-service surveys, or even in-person when the rental, tour, or experience is completed. Make it easy for them by providing direct links to review platforms.
Offer Incentives: Consider offering small incentives, such as discounts on future rentals, for customers who leave reviews. Just be sure to comply with the guidelines of the review platforms to avoid any issues.
Respond to Reviews: Engage with your customers by responding to their reviews, whether positive or negative. This shows that you value their feedback and are committed to continuous improvement.
Engage with Social Media: Leverage your social media presence to encourage reviews. Share snippets of positive feedback and ask followers to share their experiences. Social media can be a powerful review-generating tool.
Monitor and Analyze Reviews: Regularly monitor the reviews your business receives and analyze the feedback. This will help you identify trends and areas for improvement.
Customer reviews are a crucial piece of your business’ online presence. They build trust, improve visibility, and provide essential feedback for growth. By actively seeking out reviews and providing exceptional service, you can harness the power of customer feedback to boost your business's reputation, gain new customers, and get more bookings! Remember, a satisfied customer today can be your best marketing asset tomorrow.