How Can You Help Support Local Business

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Doing Your part to Help Local Business | The Benefits of Online Reviews

In today’s #AloneTogether world, you may be asking, “How can I help to support local business when I’m trying to follow social distancing guidelines?” The answer is to embrace online tools, social media and online reviews.

Now more than ever,  small businesses need your online reviews- it’s how they stay connected to the people they serve.

How do reviews help a local businesses:

Connect with Customers
When you run a small business, you don’t just work there- you are a neighbor, a friend, a part of the community. You get to personally know your customers. You build relationships- eye to eye and toe to toe. Visits to your business & visiting your COIs  & customers becomes a regular routine. 

During these unprecedented times our regular ways of socializing with the community aren’t available. Reviewing, Liking, thanking, and responding to comments on reviews left for a business allows a company to show their personality, values and helps to build strong relationships.

Reviews Help a Business Get Found

Google takes review ratings into consideration when determining the order of businesses it lists in local searches.

When consumers go to Facebook and search for a local business, your ranking is also influenced by your rating, as well as the number of your reviews. This is true for Yelp as well. Your reviews help others find your favorite local businesses. If customers can find a business, then they can work with them.

Reviews Help to Build a Business’s Credibility

According to studies (conducted before social distancing) close to 90% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. The more positive reviews  a business has the easier it is for customers to make the decision to try that business.

Reviews Provide Important Feedback

A business can learn a lot from reviews- what are they doing well, how can they be of better service. What do your customers love about a business, what could use some work?. A business can fix issues quickly before they become a problem.

Word-of-Mouth

People often think of reviews just as formal write-ups, but don’t underestimate the power of the conversation you see on social media, references to experiences or comments on a particular product- that helps build a business’s reputation too. This takes time, first people need to know you’re there and then they need to talk about you. The more good things people have to say in connection with a business—the more positive “word of mouth” you are getting for that business.

Examples:

1. I don’t know what we would have done without #SERVPROShrewsbury/Westborough after our house fire.
2. Thank you #SevenSaws for the curbside service!
3. I could really go for some BBQ about now #SmokeStackBBQ

Now you know how and why  you can help your favorite local business by just sharing your opinions on the goods and services they provide.

Please think about taking some time to show your support for some our locally owned and operated business who are working so hard during these difficult times. #InItTogether