Top 5 Business Review Websites For Your Business

Remember when the internet was synonymous with stranger danger? You’d never trust a random online review – let alone make a decision based on one. But here we are – 49% of people trust what they read on business review websites just as much as what they hear from friends and family. Those starry ratings can truly make or break your business, so here are the most important platforms to connect with your customers.

A Business Can’t Truly Thrive Without Customer Feedback

Step out of your business shoes for a second and think like a customer. When was the last time you bought a product or booked a service without first checking it out online? Exactly – you probably can’t even remember, and you’re definitely not the only one! 

As much as 95% of people read online reviews before even considering a purchase. On top of that, only 53% of them are willing to even look at a business that has fewer than 4 stars. Here, one small star could make a world of difference – it can be the deciding factor between a customer hitting the BUY NOW button or scrolling away without a second thought.

Now, back to reality – no matter if you’re in the HVAC industry, running a dental clinic, or anything in between, having a strong online presence is everything. Social media and a solid website are always a good start, but if you really want to build trust, business reviews sites are where it’s at. They’ve become the new word-of-mouth, and they can make or break your reputation. But where do you even start? 

#1 Google Business Profile – You Really Can’t Afford to Ignore It

Google’s influence is huge – there’s really no question about it. More than 3.1 trillion searches are conducted every year. People are downright obsessed – 84% of them Google things more than three times a day, and 86% rely on Google Maps to find local businesses. Do we really need to go on? 

Here’s the bottom line – if your company isn’t on Google, it might as well be invisible. The first thing you need to do to fix that? Create a Google Business Profile. Sure, increasing online visibility can be done with some solid local SEO strategies, but setting up a profile is no longer just a recommendation – it’s a necessity. 

All of the Important Information Will Be Displayed in One Place

Creating a Google Business Profile won’t cost you a dime, but here’s the catch – it’s only available for brick-and-mortar businesses where customers can drop by, such as family restaurants, for example. It’s kind of like a digital calling card, where you share all the important information, including:

• Address, 
• Working hours, 
• Contact, 
• Website link, 
• Available services, 
• Images, 
• Reviews and feedback. 

Everyone and Their Grandma Is Reading Google Reviews

While this business review site offers a bunch of cool features – like appointment booking and sharing social posts – it’s their review system that really steals the show. Moreover, managing customer feedback is an effective way to optimize the Google Profile, attracting more eyeballs and, therefore, potential clientele. 

Here’s how it works – Google uses a five-star rating system, and each business’s average rating is displayed right on their page, along with the total number of reviews they’ve racked up. Some are detailed, up to 4,000 characters long, while others are, well, just stars – since there’s no minimum word count, some people skip the commentary altogether. 

On top of that, reviewers can edit their input if things get better (or worse). So, there’s always a chance that a three-star review turns into a five after some top-notch customer service. And don’t worry, Google keeps an eye on things – there’s a content policy in place to filter out spam and any inappropriate content, keeping your review section legit and clean.

#2 Yelp – One of the Most Widely Recognized Business Review Websites

Boasting close to 200 million reviews across the world, Yelp is the 44th most visited website in the US, and that’s no small feat! It’s so popular that even search engines like Yahoo and Bing decided to ditch their own platforms and just roll with Yelp’s instead. 

To leave a review, your customer will need to set up a free Yelp account – but judging by these numbers, chances are, they already have one! Like on Google, there’s no minimum character count, and the maximum is 5,000 characters. 

Users can filter reviews by highest rating or use the “Yelp Sort” feature, which arranges them based on things like distance and relevancy. And if any of your customers come to a change of heart, Yelp gives them 30 days to edit an old rating. Of course, they have strict guidelines to keep things fair, ensuring reviews are legit and truly reflect customer experiences. If something feels off, you can always report it. Yelp’s got your back!

Yelp Offers a Few Handy Features as a Cherry on Top

As the one on the receiving end of these ratings, you’ll be happy to know Yelp gives you some pretty handy tools. First off, their reporting feature shows not only how many reviews you’re getting each month but also what users do after checking out your page – for example, whether they go to your website. This kind of info is pure gold when planning your next move or refining your overall content marketing strategy. 

If your business relies on appointments, Yelp has your back with a built-in booking option right on your page, making it super easy for potential customers to schedule a visit. And if you’re looking to kick things up a notch, you can always go premium and run pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns to push the listing to the top if you really need to. 

#3 Trustpilot – Honest Feedback Is Where It’s At

Trustpilot is a somewhat up-and-coming platform (founded in 2007) that covers 65 countries, including the good old United States. With 83 million third-party verified reviews, Trustpilot proudly calls itself a one-stop shop for all things reviews. Both customers and businesses can set up free accounts, making it easy for everyone to get involved.

Here’s how it works – after a customer makes a purchase, they receive an invite to leave a review. Trustpilot provides step-by-step instructions and, to keep things legit, they’ve got strict legal rules in place to block spam and inappropriate content. Both humans and bots are on review-checking duty to ensure everything’s above board.

#4 Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Give Your Company an A+ It Deserves

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is like the hall monitor of the corporate world – but, you know, with a bit more power. This nonprofit organization keeps a close eye on how businesses treat their customers, using a set of “best practices” as their guide.

The goal of BBB is to keep things fair and trustworthy in the marketplace, so obviously, there’s no paid advertising or sneaky endorsements. To get on the BBB’s radar, you simply have to apply for a listing and do your job just like you did until now. 

Once that’s set up, you can claim your profile and add more details about the company. If you meet the set standards, you will earn accreditation. Oh, and you’ll get a shiny grade, too – ranging from A to F. All of this will be shown to your potential customers, and they’ll also be able to leave their own reports, painting a clear picture of how you conduct your business. 

#5 Facebook – Where Recommendations Speak Louder Than Likes

With 2.5 billion monthly users, Facebook is a social media giant that you simply can’t ignore as a business owner. Originally just a place for socializing, it’s now a goldmine for businesses looking to connect with customers. Whether it’s recommendations, posts, or even ads, Facebook gives you the opportunity to dive straight into customer feedback. 

And really, Facebook works for everyone, from small, local shops to massive corporations. You can fill out the page with all the essential info – contacts, services, photos, videos, and more. Need to book appointments or send direct messages? Facebook’s got you covered. Want to run targeted PPC ads? It’s easier than you might think. 

However, Facebook’s review system isn’t your standard five-star setup. Instead, customers answer a simple question – do you recommend this business? They can hit yes or no, then add their thoughts, photos, and even tag employees if they’ve got a Facebook profile too. Oh, and posts have a character limit of 63,206. Yeah, that’s an oddly specific number – we haven’t been able to crack the code on that one yet. 

It Might Test Your Patience but Professionalism Is Always Key

Any Facebook user can pop in and leave a comment, which is both a good and bad thing. Let’s be real – sometimes, you’ll get feedback that’s, well, completely off the wall. But no matter how ridiculous things get, it’s important to keep your professional cool. Remember, Facebook is a massive, public platform where conversations unfold in front of everyone. 

Sure, you can report the more outrageous comments and reviews, but Facebook will only remove them if they break the rules of their content policy. So, when things get a little weird, it’s best to handle it with tact to keep your reputation intact. Everyone’s watching!

There Are Plenty of Other Business Review Sites for Particular Industries

While the business rating websites we’ve discussed apply to various industries, each of them still has its own unique selling point. However, there are also a couple of platforms that should be mentioned, but they apply to particular fields. Here’s an overview:

It Can Be Pretty Challenging to Handle It All – A Digital Advertising Agency Can Always Help

Handling everything online can be pretty hectic, especially because, let’s be real, it’s not your line of work! That’s exactly why there are plenty of marketing agencies out there that can handle such stuff for you. 

Made Online can be kind of like your one-stop shop to manage your entire online presence and bring it to new heights with search engine optimization (SEO). Ready to get things moving? Contact us today, and let’s get to talking about how we can help you improve your company’s digital footprint while you focus on what you do best – running your business!