I am following up with yesterday’s post on customer reviews. I gave reasons to start asking for reviews but today I want to help you to think about getting reviews. This comes down to you providing the means for people to write a review. If people are 10 times more likely share a bad experience how much more do you need to fight for recommendation on good experiences? I think that our fears are people will then write a negative review. The truth is that they are going to do that any way so why not ask those that haven’t thought about. Here is how you can get those glowing reviews.

Start asking your repeat customers for a review. These are the easiest because they are already committed to your business. You have established rapport with them so leverage that relationship to get the ball running.
Next you should include links from your website to places where people can write a review. Instead of having your recommendations on the site you can use the business listing as a way to show the authenticity of your customers. This will also help people to include a comment about your company.

Then you should include something on promotional material for these sites. Put your website and how to write a review for the company. As you ask for feedback you can hand them your business card and it has a way to remind them of your request. Not everyone will do it but you reducing the barriers to getting yourself recommended. On the rest of your materials you can have a way for people to recognize your business for a job well done.

Finally, don’t sweat the disgruntled people. There are people out there who may not like you but if you are doing a great job then you have really nothing worry about. If you are concerned, simply gauge the level of satisfaction and then ask for that recommendation. I would lean toward attempting to get as much feedback as possible. For people who are not happy it might be your opportunity to shine all the more and resolve the situation. The result could be your greatest customer today.

Local business reviews really are a benefit to any company who utilizes them. The easier you make it for them the more you will get. So start asking and see where it takes you. Do you have ways in which you are using recommendations online? Has utilizing reviews been successful for you? Share your thoughts about gaining customer reviews.

1) An opinion of a stranger is more trustworthy than your professional opinion. The fact is that people just don’t trust business owners to accurately portray quality of service and products. Your potential customers are more likely to listen to someone who is unbiased and has experienced your business.

2) Search engines like reviews because it authenticates your business listing. If you ever click on a listing you will find that Google aggregates reviews from other sites like Yelp among others. This tells search engines that your listing is accurate and legitimate.

3) Reviews help move your position in local listings. The more comments you have the higher you appear in search results. A review helps Google gauge the relevance of your listing. The more the reviews the more it tells Google this is an accurate listing and pushes you up.

4) Friend reviews are even better! We like reviews from friends the because we trust our friends even more than a stranger. With sharing on the rise it is now easier for people to recommend your service on Facebook, Twitter, or business listings like Yelp.

Reviews may be your best marketing tool. It has more weight with customers than anything else. It effects your position in search rankings and can persuade potential buyers to customers. So ask for reviews and watch new customers buy in to product or services.

So what are you doing with reviews? If a review brings value and more visibility and new customers wouldn’t you want someone to write a review? Are there innovative ways you are getting your people to write a review?

The internet is an amazing resource for businesses of all sizes. It has the ability to impact ROI in a very short amount of time. Here are few ideas that can get your company visible within 24 hours or less.

1) Local search can get you listed in about 15 minutes. A local search listing that is optimized can even jump to the top of local listings within a very short amount of time. I recently worked on a small business that rose to the top of the 10 pack just after claiming their listing.

2) Social media platforms take minutes to open and optimized for your company. Search engines index social media platforms in real time and will give you results fast. I found that new twitter profiles get indexed quicker than a new domain name. When claiming your social profiles, choose vanity URLs if available and make sure you claim you add unique links to your site.

3) Paid advertising can have you up in about a couple of hours. Google, Yahoo, and Bing all allow you to pay for advertising on keywords relevant to your website. You could appear quicker but doing some keyword analysis will save you money and likely give you a better ROI on your investment.

4) Creating a blog is quick and easy. You can have a site with blog platforms like Typepad, Wordpress, and Blogger and it’s free. This won’t have you visible in 24 hours or less in search engines but will help your other mediums like pay-per-click, social media, and local search. You can expect this to change though as Google moves to real time indexing.

With all the free resources getting online is quicker than ever. Tools like social media, local search, and blogs will have you online fast and visible to your key stakeholders. Are you online? Have you found that your company was visible within in 24 hours? Are there other tools that aren’t covered here? Share with us your thoughts and insights.

How Do I Claim my Business Listing in Google

Start by claiming your local business listing.  Every search engine has a local business listing including Google, Yahoo, and Bing.  We will focus on Google because Google is the market leader for search queries.  Claiming your listing can be done through the Local Business Listing on the bottom of Google.  Once you have created an account you will be asked for your information.  At the end you will be asked to either receive a phone call or a post card for verification.  Whatever you choose, be sure to receive the call or return the post card.

Optimizing You Listing for Better Results

In claiming your business listing you should make sure you fill out as much information as possible.  The more content you have about your business the more ways your customers can find you on local search. This includes hours of operation, payment methods, photos, coupons, and website URL.   These of course make sense however, there are many people who over look the categories section.   Instead of listing your company for one particular service or category, be sure to include as many categories as possible.  For example, if you are listing a restaurant another possible category is for catering.  Also, try not to keyword stuff your listings which may amount to no visibility.

Making Use of Your Website Footer for Local Search

Once you have claimed your listings make use of microformmating.   Microformat is HTML programming that helps computers read information while preserving human readability.  Hcard microformat allows a device to recognize the information and allows the user to add it to an addressbook or a phone.   This Hcard should be placed in your global footer with your address.   Google has guidelines on what do to insert a hcard in your footer.  If you consider the adoption of mobile devices and smartphones then you can appreciate the usability of this.   People on the go are more easily able to download information, share, and contact your business because of this formatting.

Third Party Businesses Listings

Make use of other business listings to help increase your likelihood of ranking well.  Google uses third party business listings as a way to verify your business.  Sites such as Localeze, Axciom, and InfoUSA are used by Google to help verify and identify your company.  The more business listings you appear in, such as Business.com and Yelp, help increase the veracity of your listing.  Google also searches business listings for reviews.  If you have ever clicked on a listing you will see other business listing reviews along with the ad.  Asking your customers to write a review will help with converting customers and securing that coveted spot on the ten pack.  It is these comments that give Google the confirmation that come from your customers.

Local Search and Advertising

Local search will soon advertise.  The local business ads are currently under a testing phase in California. Businesses can advertise for a small fee to have the listing appear in targeted searches.  The adoption of mobile devices and Google’s free Map Navigation will make your listings viewable in more places.  The questions do you want to pay only monthly or appear for both listings?

Conclusion to Claiming and Optimizing You Business Listing

Google Ten Pack is a coveted spot to be in.  If you think about the number of times you show up in the search results through organic, pay-per-click, and local business listing, the more times you have a chance for a business to choose your company.  So claim your listing and optimize it by including all categories, hcard formatting in your website footer, and third party listings.  Reviews also help authenticate your listing so get your customers to say something about you and watch your listing rise.

If you are looking to learn more about local search you can also read David Mihm’s blog Mihmorandom.  His insights into local search are excellent and worth reading.

Using Mobile to Connect on Facebook

Facebook’s mobile applications make it easier to socialize and connect for business.   Recently, 65 million users update their status through a mobile device.  This also allows for users to share pictures, videos, and even chat.    They even have a place where friends can find out where each other are and connect while on the move.  With a user base of over 400 million users world wide it only makes sense to compete here.  Fan pages have been a great way to connect with customers.  10 million people become a fan of a page every day.   It allows you as a company to offer something special to those who love your brand allowing them to become and advocate very easily.  You can find out their needs and concerns and communicate with them on a daily basis.

Twitter on the Go

Twitter Logo

Twitter also launched a mobile site at the request of users and can be lucrative to business.   Although the limited 140 characters may seem restrictive there has been a fairly large adoption of the platform.  According to an article published by Tech Crunch, there were over 20 million U.S. Twitter Users in June 2009.

Twitters simplicity also makes it easy update your status and engage customer.   Facebook, your website, and your blog can all have the feed appearing in each venue.  Many companies are using this to update their customers about new product lines, events, discounts, sales, contests, and giveaways.  It also gives companies the chance to connect with their followers (advocates) and listen to their interests and needs.  You also can follow what is being talked about in Twitter’s live feed.  You search based on location and keywords and then send a tweet engaging that person with discounts to entice them to buy from you.  Google also is searching Twitter constantly allowing more ways for you to appear in search results.

Google Maps, Mobile. and Your Local Listing

Google Mobile Navigation Picutre

Google Locals Listing

Google’s Map Navigation for Mobile makes it more important to have your business listing verified.  Yesterday, Google launched Map Navigation which allows mobile device users to receive turn by turn instructions while on the go for free.  This also equips the user to search for products and services that may be along the route such as attractions, hotels, restaurants, and movies.  How this effects your company is that visibility becomes more important.   If you don’t appear in search results and especially in local search thenyou will likely missed opportunities.   Especially if Google begins offeringadvertising to those who are using the turn by turn directions.  If you could imagine offering an ad at around lunch time and an easy go here now button that will redirect you to that location.  So get your company listed and get in the Local Search ten pack and watch Google to offer advertising in the near future.

Mobile Sites and Accessibility

Mobile sites will have become a necessity with the advent and adoption of smart phones.  With data plans dropping and mobile devices become easier to use it won’t be long before everyone is using them.  Have you ever searched or browsed a website on a mobile without a mobile site?  It is both cumbersome and difficult to navigate.  It won’t take long for a user to move on to the next website that does use it.  What a better way to get visibility to your potential customers when they look for you.  It is like having great location and an inviting atmosphere on the digital highway.  It is true that it may be expensive but it will become more important as mobile become common place.

Mobile Conclusions

Mobile is impacting our culture and the world.  Its ease of access to the internet demands that companies and advertisers make use of it.  Social platform such as Twitter and Facebook allow for companies to connect with customers while on the go.  Even Google’s local search will make companies consider how they are appearing in local search results.  While customers are visiting their favorite social sites to find friends and using Google to get there, it demands that business consider how they connect with their target audiences.