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By now, most small business owners understand the importance of having online reviews, but according to a local marketing expert, business owners can overestimate how difficult it is to get those reviews.
“Online reviews are one of the most important marketing tactics a small or local business can use,” says a spokesman from FindUsLocal.com, an online local business directory that not only allows consumers to leave online reviews, but live comments about a business as well. “But many business owners shy away from asking customers for them because they don’t think they will be willing to leave them. But studies show just the opposite.”
He’s referring to a survey that shows 7 out of 10 customers who are asked to leave a review will do so.
“It’s important for small business owners to realize to what extent online reviews play in shopper’s decisions about whether or not to visit a local store,” he says. “Another survey from last year shows that a full 97 percent of shoppers read online reviews in the process of evaluating a business.”
What’s more, yet another survey shows that 84 percent of shoppers rely on online reviews as much as they do a personal recommendation from a friend.
“Clearly, online reviews should play an integral part of any local marketing campaign,” says the spokesman. “And that’s why it’s important for small business owners to set up their free local business listing so that they have a place to point customers to when asking for those reviews.”
About FindUsLocal: FindUsLocal uses geolocation technology in visitor’s browsers to construct a home page focused on their city, town or community. Right there on the front page, they’ll find local weather, sports results for their favorite teams, and announcements of the top musical acts and events coming to their city. Smart business owners list their businesses on the site to be seen by those who are specifically looking for businesses in their local area.
Release ID: 402816