The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is one of the most popular and dependable sources people turn to for reviews and ratings of businesses. The BBB operates with the intention of collecting and providing information about the reliability of businesses so it can accurately inform consumers and businesses about other companies. The BBB is now offering improved business reviews as they’re taking pages from popular review sites like Google Places and Yelp.
The enhanced reviews with the BBB not only give more opportunities for consumers to post their two cents (good or bad) about businesses for others to see, but it gives businesses an excellent opportunity to further their online presence. It allows businesses to update their review pages with photos, videos, and handy descriptions regarding their businesses like return policies and details about products and services.
Online reviews play a crucial role in a business’s reputation, especially if for local businesses. In fact, studies show that majority of consumers on the Internet turn to online reviews before purchasing a local product or service. Too many businesses don’t completely fill out their company information on popular consumer review sites like Yelp. These businesses are letting customers (the happy ones and unhappy ones) shape and mold their company’s presence on these widely read sites. But with the BBB’s new review opportunities and enhanced review pages, your business can directly respond to complaints from clients and interact with customers right on your review page.
Your business can also display awards, certifications, and even upload discounts or coupons for customers visiting your review page (which is a great way to generate leads and get people into your store). The new BBB review pages also let your business add directions and a map to your business and provide other details consumers frequently search for like your hours of operation and which areas your business provides services to. These are huge opportunities that every local business should take advantage of. It will further your business’s presence past popular pages like Google Places and Yelp and onto a site many people already turn to for reliable information about companies.
If you’re accredited by the BBB, your business can put a tagline listing to show website visitors how long you’ve been accredited by the BBB which is a great way to build trust with consumers. Consumers reading and writing reviews on the new BBB review pages will also be able to easily post and share reviews with social media audiences through Twitter and Facebook.