Why Facebook Reviews Matter for Business
Facebook reviews have become increasingly important as more and more people use the platform to find and evaluate businesses. Let's take a closer look at why Facebook reviews matter and how businesses can leverage them to their advantage.
Facebok for Business Reviews
Craig Sommerson
Online reviews are an essential aspect of any business's reputation and Facebook reviews have become increasingly important as more and more people use the platform to find and evaluate businesses. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why Facebook reviews matter and how businesses can leverage them to their advantage.
Important: Never pay for Facebook reviews! Paying for reviews or offering discounts for a positive review violates Facebook’s terms of service. This can lead to the removal of reviews or even your busienss listing. Asking current and former customers to review your company is fine, as long as you are requesting unbiased and truthful reviews. A positive review will do you no good if users can tell it isn’t genuine.
What Are Facebook Reviews?
First, let's define what we mean by Facebook reviews. These are user-generated ratings and comments that customers leave on a business's Facebook page. Anyone who has a Facebook account can leave a review, and businesses can respond publicly to the reviews. Reviews are displayed on a business's Facebook page and can be seen by anyone who visits it.
Why Are Facebook Reviews Important?
Facebook reviews matter for several reasons. First, they provide social proof for potential customers. Social proof is the psychological phenomenon where people look to the actions and opinions of others to guide their own behavior. In the context of online reviews, this means that people are more likely to trust and choose a business that has positive reviews from other customers. In fact, a study by BrightLocal found that 93% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchasing decision.
Second, Facebook reviews can impact a business's visibility on the platform. Facebook's algorithm takes into account a variety of factors when deciding which content to show to users, including engagement, relevance, and recency. Reviews are a form of engagement, and positive reviews can help a business's page rank higher in Facebook's search results and newsfeed.
Third, Facebook reviews can provide valuable feedback for businesses. Reviews can help businesses understand what they're doing well and where they need to improve. In addition, businesses can respond to reviews publicly, which can help them demonstrate their commitment to customer service and address any concerns or issues that customers may have.
How Can Businesses Leverage Facebook Reviews?
Now that we've established why Facebook reviews matter, let's look at how businesses can leverage them to their advantage. Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Encourage customers to leave reviews: The simplest way to get more Facebook reviews is to ask for them. Businesses can encourage customers to leave reviews by adding a call-to-action on their Facebook page or in their marketing materials. For example, a restaurant might include a note on the bottom of their receipt asking customers to leave a review on their Facebook page.
- Respond to reviews: Businesses should respond to both positive and negative reviews. This shows customers that the business is engaged and cares about their feedback. When responding to negative reviews, businesses should be polite and professional, and offer to resolve any issues or concerns that the customer may have.
- Use reviews to improve: Businesses should use reviews as a source of feedback to improve their products and services. For example, if several customers mention that a particular item on the menu is overpriced, a restaurant may consider adjusting the price or offering a special promotion.
- Showcase positive reviews: Businesses should highlight positive reviews on their Facebook page and in their marketing materials. This can help build trust with potential customers and demonstrate the business's commitment to customer service.
- Monitor reviews regularly: Businesses should monitor their Facebook reviews regularly to stay on top of any issues or concerns that customers may have. This can help businesses respond quickly and resolve any problems before they escalate.
A Facebook Scenario: Imagine that you recently visited a new restaurant in your town and had a great experience. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was perfect. You want to tell others about your experience so they can enjoy it too. You remember that the restaurant had a Facebook page, so you head over to their page to see if you can leave a review. You click on the "write a review" button and start typing your thoughts. You mention the tasty dishes you had, the attentive staff, and the cozy ambiance. After submitting your review, you feel happy knowing that you've helped others discover a great new restaurant, and you hope that more people will visit and have an experience as enjoyable as yours.
Facebook reviews are an essential part of any business's online reputation. They provide social proof for potential customers, impact a business's visibility on the platform, and can provide valuable feedback for businesses. By encouraging customers to leave reviews, responding to reviews, using reviews to improve, showcasing positive reviews, and monitoring reviews regularly, businesses can leverage Facebook reviews to their advantage and improve their overall online presence.
The many benefits of getting Facebook reviews include ranking for local SEO (Search Optimization), leveling the playing field, increasng your online reputation, and helping small busienss operations.