Personal or word-of-mouth referral has always been the most effective and cost-effective form of marketing. Even though this is the most effective way for a business to acquire more customers, patients or clients from their existing ones, especially when they are satisfied with their products or services, it has its limitation compare to the digital form of recommendation or testimony called the online reviews, specifically Google reviews. Google reviews are important and business should focus on getting more positive reviews if they want to grow their business.
Positive online reviews are almost as good as word-of-mouth personal recommendation when compare to trustworthiness. In this digital age, online reviews, especially google reviews, play an important role in helping your business grow as they are like endorsements for your business on the web 24/7. When customers search for a business on google to look for a business, a business’ contact information or for directions, among the first things they see is the google local business listings. If they were to search for an unfamiliar business to do business with or buy a product or a service from, and five or ten unfamiliar businesses show up, the one with more reviews will most likely be chosen by these new customers.
Reviews can act as a tiebreaker in most circumstances. Even with existing customers, when they search on google for the phone number to call your business or look for the address for directions, and they will see all the similar businesses under the local business listing along with yours, but if your business only has 15 reviews with a 4.2 star rating, and all your competitors have 100 or more reviews with a 4.9 stars; there is a chance that some of your customers may decide to leave your business for one of your competitors- simply because of their higher rating and the number of reviews is higher. Even though your Google reviews do not accurately reflect your business reputation 100%, but generally speaking the more positive reviews a business has the better the business’ reputation is perceived by the new and existing customers, especially when the reviews are long and authentic. If you want to grow your business and save money, you should be actively trying to increase your business online reviews, especially google reviews.
Watch this video podcast to learn how Dr. Nathan Ho grew his practice into a 7-figure practice by having a great online reputation and social proof for his practice. https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVGUwkxM2DI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media
About the author:
Dr. Nathan Ho graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in 2008. He currently owns two dental practices with his business partner. He is also a co-founder of EnvisionStars.com ( an authentic review generation, monitoring, and marketing software company), Founder of the Dental WinWin facebook group, and the founder/host of the Coffee Break Interview Video Podcast. If you have any question, you may email him at contact@envisionstars.com.