Anybody in the business world knows how critical online reviews are for engaging customer interest and generating revenue. With so many different review platforms out there, it can be hard to know which ones to target to build your online reputation.
Here are the top seven review sites businesses should have a presence on and actively engage with to ensure they get the most out of their online reviews.
1. Google Reviews
Google is the biggest search engine in the world, so it makes sense that businesses should have a presence there. With Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), companies can create their own profile pages that are visible in search results and on Google Maps, as well as respond to customer reviews.
This platform is arguably the most important review site out there, as it allows businesses to both manage and influence their online reputation. Besides this, potential clients will see your company’s Google reviews before all others when searching for you; thus, it’s worth taking the time to get reviews there.
Pros
- Highly Visible: Google Business Profile has the most traffic of all the review sites, meaning Google reviews are seen by a lot of people.
- Easy Interaction: Consumers can easily leave Google reviews, and businesses can respond in kind without the need for a third-party platform.
Cons
- Spam Reviews: From competitors trying to take down your online reputation to outright fraudsters leaving spam reviews, fake Google reviews can be an issue.
Little Customization: Google Business Profile is limited in terms of what you can customize on your profile page. You will be asked to fill in rather specific information about your business.
2. Yelp
Yelp is a popular review platform that focuses on local businesses, and it’s essential for any company looking to build its online presence in the local area. It can be used to highlight things, such as your business’s products or services, and gain customer feedback on the same.
When getting ratings on Yelp, businesses should keep an eye out for fake reviews, as the platform is known to have a few. Responding quickly to customer feedback and making sure the business’s profile page is up-to-date are two great ways to ensure you’re getting legitimate reviews. In case of fake Yelp reviews, businesses can flag them for removal.
Pros
- Highly Visible: Yelp is one of the most popular platforms for local businesses.
- Detailed Information: Businesses can fill in detailed information about their reviews, such as opening hours, menu items, and more.
Cons
- Fake Reviews: Unfortunately, fake reviews are an issue on this platform too.
- Limited Scope: Yelp focuses exclusively on local businesses and doesn’t have the same global reach as other platforms.
3. Facebook
With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world, and it’s an important review site for any business looking to increase its online visibility. Companies should ensure they have a business page set up with up-to-date information, photos, and customer reviews.
Facebook also has a rating system that allows customers to rate businesses on a scale of one to five stars, with the average score displayed at the top of each business’s page. This helps potential clients get an idea of what others think about your business before they decide whether or not to use it.
Pros
- Good Exposure: Because Facebook is not just a review site or even a business-related platform, people who are not necessarily looking for businesses can stumble upon yours as well.
- Detailed Information: You have quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to filling in information about your business on Facebook.
Cons
- Lack of Focus: Because Facebook is so broad, it’s easy to get lost among the other businesses that have a presence there.
- Low Engagement: Facebook reviews have a lower engagement rate than reviews on other platforms, meaning they don’t necessarily reflect the current sentiment toward your business.
4. Tripadvisor
Although specific to a particular industry (travel and hospitality), Tripadvisor is an important review site that should not be ignored. It allows customers to leave feedback on their experiences with hotels, restaurants, and attractions, so businesses in the travel industry should ensure they have a presence there.
Tripadvisor also has a feature that will send out surveys to customers who have stayed or visited different locations. This is an excellent way for businesses to get feedback on their services and use it to improve them. The data collected can also be used to create targeted marketing campaigns and increase overall customer satisfaction.
Pros
- Leading Travel Review Site: The fact that Tripadvisor is the leading travel review site in the world means that businesses in related industries should be on it.
- Detailed Surveys: This platform allows businesses to collect detailed feedback from customers and use it to improve their services.
Cons
- Industry-Specific: Tripadvisor’s focus on the travel industry means that other types of businesses can’t take advantage of its services.
- Lower Consumer Engagement: Tripadvisor is not as popular as some other review sites, so reviews may not get the attention they deserve.
5. Indeed
Indeed is a strong choice for businesses wanting a more professional platform for reviews. This site focuses on reviewing companies and their working environment, so it’s great for businesses that are looking to attract more qualified personnel.
However, getting reviews here is also more difficult as the platform requires customers to have a valid email address and set up an account.
The concept behind Indeed is that potential candidates can see what the working environment is like and how satisfied current employees are. If a business has good reviews here, that’s a great sign for future potential candidates!
It is worth noting that companies have to pay to create a profile here since it’s primarily a job search site.
Pros
- Leading Job Search Site: Indeed is the leading job search site in the world, making it an ideal platform for businesses to attract qualified personnel.
- Detailed Reviews: Customers on this platform can provide detailed reviews about their experiences, which helps employers better understand what they need to do to improve their working environment.
Cons
- Payment Required: Companies have to pay a fee to create a profile on Indeed, which is not ideal for businesses with tighter budgets.
- Only (Ex)Staff Can Review: Unlike other review sites, only those who are currently or have previously worked at the business can leave reviews on Indeed.
6. Glassdoor
Known mainly for its salary information and job postings, Glassdoor also has a review section where current and past employees can leave feedback on their experience with a particular company. This platform is terrific for businesses looking to improve their hiring process or identify areas of improvement regarding workplace culture.
Glassdoor also has a feature where companies can upload documents and other materials that may be relevant to potential candidates, such as employee handbooks or manuals. This is great for businesses looking to give potential candidates a better idea of what their work experience would look like.
Pros
- Detailed Reviews: Employees on Glassdoor can leave detailed reviews about their experiences with a specific company, which is excellent for businesses looking to make improvements.
- Additional Documents: Businesses can upload supplemental documents that potential candidates can view, such as employee handbooks or manuals.
Cons
- Industry-Specific: Glassdoor is mainly used by the job search industry, so some types of businesses can’t take advantage of its services.
- Payment Required: Companies must pay for access to certain features on Glassdoor, such as listing jobs or replying to reviews.
7. RateMD
Although lesser known, the advantages of RateMD are not to be overlooked. This site allows customers to review doctors and other healthcare professionals, and their reviews help people find the best-rated doctor in their area.
This site may not be relevant to you unless your business is in the healthcare industry. However, RateMD is a useful example of how reviews can be used to help customers make an informed decision when looking for specific services. As long as you offer top-tier service, the reviews on RateMD should come naturally and generate more business for you.
Pros
- Positively Impacts Business: RateMD’s reviews can help drive more customers to your healthcare business.
- Great for Reputation Management: The visibility of reviews here allows companies to manage their reputations more effectively and quickly respond to negative feedback.
Cons
- Industry-Specific: Unless you are in the healthcare industry, this platform will not be relevant to your business.
- Limited Audience: RateMD is only used by people looking for medical services, so the audience here is limited.
Final Thoughts
From Google reviews to TripAdvisor, there are a variety of review sites that businesses should consider using. A business could even use a local CPA for small businesses for reviews. Certain review sites may be more beneficial for your company than others, depending on your specific business model and the industry you’re in.
Take advantage of the information provided by customers on these platforms to improve your services and make more informed marketing decisions moving forward!