Look back at the last time you needed a new service provider, whether it was a new barber, landscaper or handyman. Did you blindly pick the first option you found? Or did you rely on your friends and family for a referral, and do further research to see whether they’d fit your needs? Now, think back to the last time you purchased something online. Did the yellow star rating beneath the product name influence your purchase?

Word-of-mouth advertising has never been so prevalent and powerful in our society as it is now. People once relied on their friends and family to refer service providers; now websites such as Yelp, Facebook, Google Reviews and Nextdoor have become their go-to source. 

Customers in need of services like plumbing and drain cleaning want to make sure they are hiring a trustworthy provider who can get the job done and provide quality service. Many use social review sites during their research. In fact, 88 percent of customers read online reviews to determine a company’s quality, and 72 percent say that positive reviews increase their trust in local business (source). Online reviews can give you credibility or help you stand out immediately. If your star rating and reviews are positive, more people will pick up the phone and call or click into your website.

What are social review sites?

Whereas social media sites start with posts you create to engage your followers, social review sites are crowdsourced, meaning the content on them comes from your customers. 

These sites allow customers to give direct feedback on your products and services that can be viewed by the public. They’re particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have the same marketing resources that draw customers to bigger, more prominent businesses. 

How can you benefit?

Having a presence on social review sites puts your name on the radar of people searching for your services. Having a positive reputation on these sites can in turn have a positive impact on business. Since the customer feedback on these sites is honest and unfiltered, and comes directly from people who have used your services before, the information provided is trustworthy and valuable.

These sites also show your strengths and weaknesses. When customers write valid negative reviews, they are giving you direct feedback on how to improve.

Check out the rest of Leveraging Social Review Sites for Plumbers and Drain Cleaners on MyTana’s website to learn how to choose the best review site for your business, respond to negative feedback and turn your current customers into brand ambassadors.