5 Kick-Ass Methods to Optimize Your Local Search Marketing — #5

Encourage And Respond To Online User Reviews

by Lissa Monroe

User reviews and your responses to them, help build your online visibility in local search results. The reviews must be authentic, beware of scam companies offering 'free' reviews. 

What you can do:

1. Encourage your customers to rate and review your business when they have a positive experience. As your business receives more positive and authentic reviews, the better search rank your business will have in both search and local review sites.
    
2. Provide customers with links to all of your local and social sites to post reviews. This will diversify and stretch your reach.
    
3. Respond quickly and politely to all types of reviews. Express gratitude to the customer if the review is positive. Problem-solve and express appreciation for the feedback and request the customer get in touch with you to address issues if the review is negative. In both cases, encourage the customer to use your services again.
   
4. Never, ever, never-ever post fake reviews. They rarely, if ever, pass muster. You will get caught and your business' online presence will be penalized.