It is quite obvious that Google is beginning to put more importance on the use of reviews. It is all about trying to narrow that gap between the social web and ecommerce, where sales themselves are becoming more and more social in themselves. Just look at the regularity of community selling on sites like Amazon.
But will that be a factor when it comes to rankings? Will SEO have to adapt to be more ratings inclusive, a new addition after already changing to make way for both video and social results? Given the high priority given to review communities like Yelp and CitySearch when in results for both local and online businesses, and the way that Google is now encouraging G+ users to review local businesses by accessing search result data for suggestion customization, it has already begun.
What This Means For Ecommerce
Local businesses are well used to seeking out reviews from customers. Along with social media and online shopping carts, they are the only way to establish a viable web presence. It is the typical ecommerce business that has to really focus on this change and the way it is certain to adapt over time.
External reviews are important, and many small companies encourage their customers to hop onto sites like Yelp or ResellerRatings for their opinion on the service/product. This is a good idea for small businesses, as customers are more likely to comment when they have positive experiences, unlike many large corporations that find themselves with reviews only when the customer is unhappy.
Sites like Amazon also offer a great service for those who are selling a tangible product. It is a selling community, and reviewing for many people who buy there is second nature. Especially when they are happy with what they have bought. Google seems to also favor these pages, showing the star rating right there in the results.
The Risks of Fake Reviews
Some people reading this are already tempted to begin what many companies do, which is purchase fake reviews. This is a mistake, as Google is working overtime to quell this phenomenon, as are the third party sites reviews are hosted on.
If you are suspected of review spamming, all ratings can be wiped off of the account. Sometimes sites will even ban the company entirely, though most the time this is for multiple offenses after getting a warning. Plus, most customers are now web-savvy enough (and jaded enough) to recognize fake reviews, and to be leery of even positive ones if they don’t appear to be genuine. There are plenty of signs that they can follow to come to this conclusion, so don’t underestimate them.
For those who are struggling to get customer reviews, you can always meet in the middle. Offer someone a free sample of your product or service in exchange for an honest, well written review. Many bloggers will do this on their sites, which are great to link to, and social users who are following your page will jump on the opportunity if you offer it. As long as you are not soliciting positive reviews, or running it as a contest, this is not against any TOS.
Reviews Through Surveys
There are websites that are choosing to use third-party surveys in order to find out about customer experience. Which can help when trying to improve for better public reviews that will come up in a Google search. Usually, they are done using a service like TrustPilot or Foresee.
But these are controversial, and many small business owners in particular see them as a risk to their brand loyalty, not a help. Customers don’t usually like seeing these popups at the end of a purchase or while browsing a site. They are an eyesore, annoying and completely unsolicited. So the customer opinion of a site can go down drastically for nothing more than the survey request.
When looking at a large company, this doesn’t make much of a difference; they aren’t likely to stop using it or shopping there. However, smaller businesses have to work harder to prove themselves against the competition. At the very least, a more creative and less invasive way should be found to find out the information from a survey. Even a single email a few days later, while not ideal, is better than a popup.
Conclusion
Reviews are a big deal on Google now, and user experience data is crucial for the average ecommerce site. But there is a right way and a wrong way to use this tool, and you should take care that you don’t make a misstep. Luckily, the ranking benefits far outweigh the risks.
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I want to play the google doodle that was on yesterday as in the google guitar, but I can’t find it anywhere so can someone post a link for me to play it? Or if there isn’t one can someone post a link for something similar? Thanks 🙂
This is a question on my Human Sexuality exam review and I’m unsure on how to answer. Any takers?
I have a very essential test and quiz tomorrow and honestly I’m lacking the motivation to even review. I even have some upcoming projects & essays due later this semester (I’m a junior in college) that eventhough I would LOVE to start on these as early as possible, I can almost predict I’ll be starting on them at the last minute.
Yes, I’m procrastinating but this is not by choice. Stress has been wearing me out since I started college. Just this last semester (and this semester) I’m literally running on ‘burn-out’ mode. Its not just stress from school, but stress at home. I don’t have a job (I explain later) but just some of the things my family do are absolutely ridiculous and blown out of proportion. Its always “something” every semester that happens.
I’m naturally a straight A student – an over-achiever and a perfectionist. I’m even taking a challenge by being the first young lady to major in engineering in my family (eventhough I suck in math, I’m still trying and its gotten better). But you would’nt believe I was one when you look at some of the grades I have gotten on very important projects, exams, quizzes, and homework assignments (most of which were given in my core classes).
So why am I not working. Well, when you are almost constantly called stupid, crazy, lazy, always moving too slow, “no one will hire you because you are _____ “, etc , at least I almost started believing it (as pathetic as it might sound). I have about 10% confidence/self-esteem left. I have no positive family around me (except my mom and one of my cousins but they don’t really show it). No one in my family wants to talk about my problems because they are a) selfish and b) criticizing or c) cannot give an answer because “they don’t know”.
So I cannot imagine myself not going to school (Thats crazy – I like learning). Don’t get me wrong : I WANT to get an A on this exam and quiz tomorrow. I WANT A’s in all my classes. I want the 3.5 GPA I had (and was trying to hold on to, but couldn’t). I want to be that student who always turns in her assignments weeks in advance. But I’m so focused on unecessary crap and negativity that its hard to even focus on these things.
Anyone got any input? Sorry for the length. Thanks for any feedback 🙂
Oh an I cannot move out 1) my mother won’t let me dorm or get my own place 2) finances are an issue now 3) I have pets and I wouldn’t dare leave them here (they’d probably be dead).
Just an Update:
Don’t think I wille joining the military, but thanks for the suggestion.
I appreciate all of you guys responding. If I could choose the best answer for all of you I would. 😉
Is it neccessary to make the law review at my law school to get a job at an elite firm (V10 like Wachtell, Skadden, or Sully Cromwell)
I have two stories on fanfiction.net at the moment. They’re both in the HP fandom. One of them is 7 chapters long, the other 2 chapters.
The 7 chapters long one has about 70 follows, 40 favs, but only 35 reviews. (Snape/Harry not slash)
The 2 chapters long one has about 50 follows, 20 favs, and I think 17 reviews. (Drarry)
They’re both angst, by the way.
I would really like more reviews, and I’ve seen loads of fancitions with less follows than me getting more reviews – what do I do?! I’m not sure how to persuade my readers to review more, because I really want to know their opinions.
help!
This Political correct b.s. is driving me crazy. I just love how these lberals are trying to modify our English language. McDonald’s “Asian Chicken Salad” should actually be called “Oriental Chicken Salad”. And “African-Americans” should just be called “black” because they have no relationship with Africa except for their blood. And 40 percent of people on television now including commercials are black, just to be politically correct when blacks are only 13% of the American population. Why don’t big companies that advertise their products using 90% non-Whites why don’t they just hold out a sign that says “Kiss me I’m not racist”. And “minorities” bitch and complain for no reason when they are already OVER represented on the media and public eye.
Where can I find reviews and opinions online for St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
I’vs been writing for some time now and I always wonder how people can get up to over a thousand reviews? I just want to know how they do it. Oh and I’m writing a fanfic called Naruto and the Demigods. A Naruto and Percy Jackson crossover.
I’m working on a paper for school. I have to form a claim that tells why reviews are culturally important after analyzing the rhetric effectiveness of two reviews.
The reviews need to be from professional writers, not just any random person.
I’ve been to rottentomatoes.com but I’m trying to steer away from movies if at all possible.
I need to write a film review for my assignment. I am thinking of writing an english or tamil film 🙂 The film review must not be about the storyline of the movie or what the story is all about. I mean the central theme about the film we should write and not the entire story to be written. For Instance, if the movie is love genre, we should not say about how they fall in love, whether their relationship continues or gets breakup or somehow finally their relationship leads to marriage and things that happens as such. We should write about the technical quotient about the team involved behind the film, just like about the directors, producers, Background score of music in the film, mainly those technicians who have made the film with their constant progressive hardwork and the spirit held on working from behind the film 🙂
Suggest some good ideas Opinionsviews of your knowledge in this regard so that i can get benefited about doing my assignment . NO FUNNY BAD ANSWERS PLZ 🙁 🙁 !!!
It would be much Better and comfortable, if you suggest some sites for getting those ideas 🙂
Thanks !!! 🙂
I’ve visited numerous sites and I get so confused on the reviews I’d like to here it from people that have actually tried it not the manufactures trying to boost their sales.
So what birth control are you using? What if any side effects did you have? And probably the most important question was it effective?
I’m looking at the nuva ring, murena, depovera…. I’m not one to remember pills everyday…
Thanks in advance
Meg
I recently got an 84/100 on a Barrons Test. Is that good enough for stuy now. I took model test 1. The test is in three months and I’ve gotten really serious about studying now, I made a serious study schedule with like two tests a week, one minitest, and like 10-12 hours of studying a week. Any tips would be nice. And any important formulas on triangles and stuff would be helpful too.
Thanks.
Thanks so much i’ll really take that advice into consideration! I’m prepared to work my butt off!
I’m a very good student. This week I’ve had an incredible amount of work that I’ve been extremely stressed out about. I’ve managed to able get everything done, except study more for my Physics test tomorrow. I had a breakdown a few hours ago and my parents said that they would let me miss it and take it when I get back in one week. (We have this coming week off).
My Mom thinks I should take it so I don’t have it hanging over my head all break even if it means gettting a D or bad grade.
My Dad thinks I should review over break a little each day and get a good grade.
Please help me. What do you think?
i am upgrading my phone soon. i am literally OBSESSSED with the rogue, i have done so much research, great reviews, great youtube videos of it, i LOVE it. however, i just stumbled across a site where people said it makes loud beeps and such even when it’s on SILENT, which seems AWFUL. like when it’s low in battery or something about a text they said..? i don’t remember. ALSO they said the “apps” for youtube, facebook, an stuff are just practically bookmarks for the sites on internet, and it’s extremely slow and unfavorable, and i heard youtube is AWFUL, someone please answer me on the truth about this.. enlighten me!
Where can I find reviews and opinions online for Sony HTCT500 3 1 Speaker System
My AP exam is in May, so I need a review book. I’m not sure which one would be best. I used the Princeton Review for World History and am using REA for US History now. History is different than literature, so I have no idea where to start. What do you think and why? How did you do on the exam and what book did you use?
Thanks!