Use online reviews to bring new customers to your business

The Internet is becoming a more integral part of our daily lives. It's only natural for consumers to turn online to find local businesses and leave feedback via online reviews. CitySearch provides the ability to provide feedback about businesses for a long time, while other websites like Yelp are growing in popularity. Google, Yahoo, and MSN now offer local business search results and allow consumers to review businesses.

Local business owners who are smart will use this opportunity to stand out and attract more customers by using online reviews.

Case Study

One example is Dr. Mike Dorausch. He's a chiropractor in Los Angeles, California. Online reviews are the key to his new business, which has a potential of 80%. Customers searching online for his business may find reviews and click through to his site to call and make an appointment.

Recently, he was featured in USA Today's article "Businesses turn to online reviews for growth clientele." His Google Local profile includes 78 reviews. His website also appears on the first page for results when you search "los angeles chiropractor" using Google.

Turning online reviews into new customers for your business

These are the steps to take in order to make these reviews free marketing for you business.

1. You can create profiles for your business on CitySearch, Yelp and Google Local. Although these sites may already have your basic information from other data providers, you will want to claim your business and make your profile as accurate and complete as possible. These listings are free.

2. You can copy the links from your profile on each service and make an email template to follow up with your top customers. Ask them to write a review.

3. In your business, create a process to ask your top customers if they are willing to write an online review. You can collect their email address from them while they are there and send an email with the link to your review site profile.

This will give you the opportunity to accumulate positive reviews from your customers over time, which will help you stand out in search results. If people search for your business type in their area, which link will they choose? The one with two reviews or the one that has 42 reviews? Positive reviews are a great way to counter any negative comments you may get from a cranky customer.