When was the last time you bought something without checking reviews first? Whether it was for clothing, a restaurant, or a hotel, the first thing you did was check what others had to say. And you’re not alone! Reviews are becoming more and more powerful because they offer something money can’t buy: Trust! When people share their real experiences, it helps other potential customers and makes them feel more confident about their choices.
Technology has completely changed the way we shop. With just a few clicks, we can compare products, read experiences from other buyers, and make informed decisions. The days that we were just relying on advertisements are long gone, and we’ve become more skeptical about what brands tell us. So, we’ve turned to real people and their honest opinions. Studies have shown that a huge percentage of shoppers read reviews before buying. In fact, younger shoppers are even more likely to base their decisions on reviews, making them an essential part of the buying process. If a product or service doesn’t have reviews, it might as well not exist in the eyes of many consumers.
Businesses that understand the whole meaning of this and try to build their strategy, including reviews in their plan, have a better chance of standing in today’s crowded marketplace.
The impact of reviews on businesses
Reviews build brand reputation
Since we live in a world where we largely base our buying decisions on other buyers’ opinions, a brand’s ratings directly impact its reputation. Word-of-mouth was a powerful marketing tool before the internet, and businesses did their best to establish a good reputation. But with the rise of technology, reviews have taken their place and become a new form of word-of-mouth. Thus, by gaining positive comments for your brand, you can build credibility and make potential customers more likely to trust your business even before they try your products. On the contrary, if your company has mostly negative reviews, people will naturally hesitate to buy from you, and you will lose new clients.
Reviews boost online visibility
Did you know that reviews can also help businesses rank higher on search engines? Platforms like Google and Facebook prioritize businesses with strong, positive reviews. When people search for a product or service, companies with better reviews often appear higher in search results. So, a steady stream of good reviews doesn’t just build trust; it also helps businesses get discovered by more potential customers.
How to encourage more positive reviews
Create win-win situations
Let’s be honest, most of us don’t leave reviews unless we’re unhappy with a product. Even when we’re extremely satisfied, we usually forget to leave a nice review, and that’s why businesses need to give a little extra motivation. A nice and effective way to get good reviews is to offer discounts on future purchases, access to exclusive deals, or free samples in exchange for feedback. These situations are called win-win and encourage customers to leave a review while making them feel appreciated. Just remember that authenticity is key! Don’t overlook the ethical aspects of engaging with customers and soliciting feedback. You shouldn’t buy feedback from your customers; instead, you should only encourage them to provide it.
Keep it simple
The easier it is to leave a review, the more likely people will do it. If customers must go through multiple steps just to share their opinions, they’ll probably give up. Businesses should provide quick and easy ways for people to leave feedback, whether it’s through a direct link, a QR code, or a simple pop-up after a purchase.
Show your appreciation
Customers who take the time to leave a review should feel valued. A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Whether it’s responding to a positive review with a heartfelt message or addressing a negative review with a helpful solution, engaging with customer feedback shows that a business truly cares about its audience.
Digital signage for building a strong positive reputation
Digital signage can help you generate more positive reviews or effectively showcase the ones you already have. Let’s explore 3 different types that an intelligent digital signage platform can help:
Highlight reviews in-store
Take advantage of your in-store screens by displaying reviews in visible areas where shoppers can see them and make informed purchase decisions. Even inside stores, many shoppers tend to check what others are buying and quickly consider the same. With prominent screens showcasing positive reviews or a social media wall featuring review videos, you’re not only influencing shoppers to buy your products but also boosting your brand’s overall reputation.
Collect reviews smarter and faster
Businesses can use digital signage to encourage customers to leave reviews in real-time. A simple prompt like, “Enjoying your visit? Scan this QR code to leave us a review!” can be highly effective in gathering more feedback. You can also use touchscreens or interactive kiosks to get your feedback easily.
Strengthen your brand’s image
When a business consistently showcases positive reviews, it reinforces trust and loyalty. Digital signage can highlight testimonials, ratings, and even user-generated content like photos or videos of happy customers. This creates a strong, positive image that sticks with potential buyers.
The future of reviews
Reviews aren’t going anywhere! If anything, they’re only going to become more influential. With advancements in technology, we’re seeing new ways for people to share their experiences, from video testimonials to AI-generated summaries of customer feedback. Virtual reality might even allow shoppers to “experience” products through the eyes of other customers before making a purchase.
For businesses, this means one thing: Prioritizing customer experience is more important than ever. A single review can shape public perception, so encouraging honest feedback and engaging with customers should always be a top priority. At the end of the day, people trust people, and that’s the true power of reviews.
If you want to build a strong brand and a positive reputation, intelligent digital signage is an incredibly powerful communication tool that can help you showcase reviews, engage customers, and create lasting trust.