The Best Business Review Sites: Which Is Right for You?

Historically, people want to know others’ experiences before making decisions, regardless of the topic. Things are no different when it comes to spending money. With hundreds of small businesses available, customers want reassurance that the establishment they pick is worth their time and money. So, how do they do it? They research using the best business review sites.

Therefore, your online presence and strategies to get positive reviews are essential for your small business. You should pick the best platform for the scope to optimize your time and results.

Many local business feedback sites exist, but not all are created equal. Devote your efforts to maximize your presence on the best review platforms for your business brand or niche. You will target your broadest audience by improving your presence on these sites.

As a business owner, consider leveraging business review sites to your advantage. Let’s take a look at the best business review sites for your establishment.

Choosing the Best Review Sites for Small Business, Big Business and Everything in Between

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of local review sites. The best review site for small business owners is no different from other review websites. Regardless of the size of your company, finding a site to meet your needs is daunting. After all, long gone are the days when the better business bureau was the gold standard.

You might think your business should be on all customer review sites. The reality is different; you don’t need to be everywhere. You only need to be on local review sites that best suit your brand or company niche. You can build a strong presence on a specific platform by focusing on fewer sites. Your strong presence means more business impact over time.

The vast majority of impressions driven to the top results are organic. As a result, hundreds of local venues don’t populate on local review sites. It’s about quality over quantity. It’s better to be at the top of 3 sites representing your brand. These sites carry more weight than reviews on the second page of a hundred general review sites.

We’ve compiled a list of the best business review sites. Regardless of where your business is, undoubtedly, someone will use one of these platforms for reviews. Therefore, improving your presence on these sites will attract new customers and remarkably impact your margin.

Best Business Review Sites #1: Google

Let’s start with Google. After all, it’s the world’s biggest search engine and discovery platform. Google is more than a local review website, so it’s one of the best business review sites. Google is the go-to website for finding answers. People make over 2 trillion searches annually to find just about anything, including small businesses. If a potential customer searches “restaurants near me,” Google will respond with a list of prospective venues.

Here’s the shocker, 56% of local venues have not claimed their Google business listing. Consequently, those venues will not rank competitively against those who have claimed their listing.

Google has a vast channel of local business discovery. Don’t be like businesses that make the damaging oversight of not correctly setting up their Google business profile. Claiming your listing is an opportunity to capture the exposure Google can offer in your local market. You’ll reap the rewards of this instantaneous advantage.

Google Review Tips: How To Stand Out on Google Maps

It’s in Google’s interest to provide the best possible recommendation. So, selected signals determine which venue deserves the limelight.

The volume, quality, and consistency of reviews are some of the most important signals for Google. However, it is not all about them. There are other factors (direct and indirect) impact your ranking on Google.

Nonetheless, there are a few simple actions that guarantee you great results. Google is one of the best business review sites, so take advantage. These tips are the most relevant actions to get more reviews and stand out for local searches:

• Claim your business page and create your Google business profile.
• Receive customer feedback and Google reviews on your page and respond to them. Potential customers want to see that you are engaging on the review platform.
• Update with all of your relevant information, including address, working hours, phone number, category, and attributes.
• Identify fake reviews and request their removal. The more positive reviews you acquire invalidate the negative reviews left.
• Embed Google Maps and a marker to your location on your website.
• Add photos.
• Collect customer reviews on other local review websites.

If you do an excellent job with Google, you get extra rewards in terms of attention. In fact, the businesses that stand out on Google Maps provide clear signals and a better-than-average rating.

Do yourself a favor and spend time fostering your presence on Google, and you’ll see the results of your work.

Best Business Review Sites #2: Facebook

Hands down, Facebook is the king of social networks. The platform can drive an immense amount of business your way. That’s one of the reasons why it’s one of the best business review sites. However, if you compare it to other local review websites, there are a few differences to consider.

Your Facebook reviews typically aren’t seen by people searching for similar businesses near their location. Moreover, users might randomly end up on your Facebook page and discover chatter about your business.

Yet, social reviews can be incredibly compelling.

Positive online reviews from happy customers show potential customers that you are worth a visit. People are more likely to trust recommendations from friends and family, so having reviews from real people makes a difference.

Creating a business page is the best way to get reviews on Facebook. Optimize your profile and create social media posts designed for your business niche. When you have your page, start inviting customers to leave reviews. Send out reminders and follow up with customers who haven’t left a review. Offer incentives for customers who leave reviews, such as discounts or coupons.

If you own a small business, don’t underestimate the viral potential of Facebook. It moves the needle in a positive direction by cultivating brand loyalty and exposure.

Best Business Review Sites #3: TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has a reputation as one of the best business review sites. It counts for over 1 billion reviews from customers around the world. Additionally, it’s one of the most high-intent feedback sites on the market.

TripAdvisor’s users will likely choose a business depending on what they read. If you want your business to thrive, you can’t ignore your reputation on Tripadvisor. Remember to claim ownership of your business page and refresh it with up-to-date information and quality images.

Whether positive or negative, answer all the reviews. With some cleverness, you can turn everything people say to your advantage.

Business owners can also receive a set of Tripadvisor stickers to encourage customers to leave reviews and win new customers. Moreover, you can request a Certificate of Excellence sticker if you get positive ratings. This badge urges customers to visit your location.

TripAdvisor is a pretty competitive space. However, the amount of traffic and the high-intent nature of its traffic makes it a review site that deserves attention.

Best Business Review Sites #4: Yelp

One of the best business review sites in the United States is Yelp. Yelp boasts a large user base that provides honest customer feedback about any business in a specific area. On Yelp, customers can leave detailed reviews about their experience and ratings on a five-star scale.

According to a Yelp Nielsen study, a whopping 92% of consumers using Yelp make a purchase after visiting the platform. Though commonly associated with restaurants, Yelp also contains reviews from businesses. The site or app allows users to search by location, cuisine, price, and more. Additionally, business owners can use paid promotions to gather more page traffic.

A study conducted by Harvard Business School found a slight increase in Yelp ratings results in a 5-9% revenue increase. In other words, getting a good rating on Yelp can radically alter your venue’s profitability.

All in all, Yelp reviews can potentially change your business’s course. Leverage the platform’s popularity and promote your business in many practical ways.

Best Business Review Sites #5: Angi (Formerly Angie’s List)

Angi is one of the best business review sites if your company specializes in home services. Its database of service professionals includes over 4 million businesses in over 700 categories. It’s a customer base you should tap into to grow your business. Angi’s reviews are from people who have used the services of local companies. These reviews help build trust and credibility with potential clients.

Another perk of Angi is that clients and potential clients can book your services through the platform. If you want to increase visibility, get reviews and attract new customers, create a business account on Angi.

Other Local Business Review Sites To Honorably Mention

The sites mentioned above handle most of the internet traffic of interest. That’s why they are the best business review sites. You have to reach an excellent rating on those platforms to win new customers. Period.

However, other sites publish reviews about local businesses that can drive positive results. You don’t need to focus on these platforms. However, claiming your business page and optimizing it is a good idea.

1. Bing Places. Bing is Microsoft’s Search Engine, with Bing Places equivalent to Google Maps. Millions of people use it, although it handles a tiny fraction of queries compared to Google. Many businesses ignore this review site. It’s a good idea to claim your business page and optimize it to get a leg up on your competitors.
2. Yellow Pages. Yellow Pages allow any business to sign up and list on their platform. However, it struggles to keep up with other local review websites, especially in the hospitality industry. Nonetheless, it is one of the most visited websites in the world. So, be sure to create your business profile there.
3. Zomato. Zomato is a local review site crafted chiefly for restaurants and similar businesses. It operates in many countries and attracts a decent amount of traffic. As a restaurant owner, you can claim and take care of your business page.
4. Foursquare. Foursquare lists a variety of businesses in a specific area. Then users can read or leave reviews about any of them. Although it is not as popular as Tripadvisor or Yelp, optimizing your profile on Foursquare is worth optimizing.

How To Get the Most out of the Best Business Review Sites

With the rise of the best business review sites, consumers have raised awareness about their local businesses. Let’s be honest. It is rare, nowadays, to try out a new restaurant or business without checking its ratings. Favorable reviews increase your visibility and drive new customers to your business.

On the other hand, negative reviews allow you to respond and change things customers may not like. This creates a better customer experience. So, be sure to encourage your customers to write reviews. It’s necessary to take action and be aware of your presence on any given business review site.

Beambox allows you to manage all your reviews in one place and simplify managing your online reputation. Beambox can offer your business much more than managing reviews. Over 12,000 venues use Beambox to grow their business and gather customer data. This improves their online reputation through real-time customer reviews. Ready to give it a try? – Start your Beambox free trial now.

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