{"id":436,"date":"2021-07-10T15:15:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T19:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grammedit.com\/blog\/?p=436"},"modified":"2021-08-08T22:35:18","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T02:35:18","slug":"the-biggest-problem-with-online-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grammedit.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/10\/the-biggest-problem-with-online-reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"The Biggest Problem with Online Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Small businesses that operate on Instagram<\/a> and other social media face a barrage of challenges. As a business owner, you can control a significant amount, but the influx of both negative online reviews always feels out of reach. What is the overall impact of online reviews and will we ever be able to finally rein them in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evolution of Online Reviews: How Word-of-Mouth Turned into Word-of-Mouse<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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A few years ago, you may have caught wind of an amazing offer or product thanks to a brief chat with your friend. They detail how it impacted them, what benefits they received, and they would go on to say how great of a deal they got. This would\u2019ve undoubtedly spurred you on to buy it! Fast forward into the age of the internet and more importantly present day, and online reviews are in every nook and cranny on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With technology really beginning to take hold towards the latter end of the 1990\u2019s, opportunities to provide feedback about a product or service became increasingly available. eBay<\/a> was one of these platforms that incorporated a form of reviews to help prospective customers understand who they were buying from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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eBay <\/a>continued to toil away but 1999 saw the launch of the first three dedicated review sites that would lay the foundation for what was to come. Deja, Epinions<\/a>, and Rate it<\/a> All gave people the initial opportunity to begin rating, reviewing, and providing feedback on products, services, and businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 2000\u2019s and 2010\u2019s, the internet was bombarded with a host of online review sites that became highly specific to cater towards an ever-growing target audience. Yelp<\/a> burst onto the scene to focus on restaurants, Tripadvisor<\/a> for travel, and importantly for you \u2013 TrustPilot<\/a> for small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Online Reviews Matter<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Online reviews have traditionally been seen as a gold mine for small businesses to identify strengths and weaknesses within their operations. In this sense, both positive and negative reviews are valuable forms of information that can aid a small business in developing an effective digital marketing strategy as they aim for long-term success. There are two primary reasons why online reviews really matter for businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Collection of Social Proof in the Modern Era<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take this scenario. You find a pair of jeans after seeing a post on Instagram<\/a>. You take the name of the business, do a bit of research only to put your phone down in disgust after not finding any reviews of the business at all. Your reverted buying decision was based on a lack of social proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we buy a product or service, we want to make the correct decision that is based on the experiences of other people. The lack of any reviews is often a cause for concern \u2013 just as much as several negative reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a business owner, however, you can begin to foster a sense of trust among prospective buyers which can be achieved by attending to reviews \u2013 both poor and positive. In the modern era, those businesses that take the time to talk to their clients will have a fantastic chance of attracting prospective buyers who may initially have been on the proverbial fence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Creation and Development of Business Reputation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The collection of social proof is a prerequisite to the creation and development of a business reputation. As the number of online reviews begins to grow, it lays the ideal foundation for other prospective buyers to take those reviews into consideration when making their final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more positive and detailed reviews there, the likelihood of them becoming a customer continues to increase. Trust is a vital factor for your customers. Provide as much detailed information as you can as well as highlighting great reviews which will, in turn, spur others to provide fantastic feedback in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaders of Online Reviews<\/h1>\n\n\n\n