Support a Small Business: Leave a Good Review
Reviews can make or break a small business. So, when you use a product or service that supports a small, locally owned or family run business, one of the best things you can do for the business is leave a review. If something had a profound impact on you or your life, sharing about it can help this business stand out among others in the area. Although it may not seem like it, one good review really can go a long way in making a difference. Before you leave your next review, here are some tips to make your review go from good to great!
5 Tips for Leaving a Good Business Review
Be Detailed
When you’re leaving a good review for a business, be sure to be as detailed as you can. You want to share your experience but don’t get too personal. Your review should be about the business and your experience. For instance, if you like the ambiance of the restaurant you ate in, describe it. Or maybe an employee handled all your questions with care before you made a purchase. Tell people what made your experience with the staff so great. The more detailed you are, the more confident others can be about purchasing that product or using those business services.
Be Honest
If you had a great experience with a product, business, or service, telling people about that experience should consist of your honest interaction with said business. Just because you leave a 5-star review doesn’t mean that your review should be all rainbows and butterflies.
Maybe the wait staff got your order wrong, but they were able to recover gracefully by not only apologizing and fixing the order but giving you a free dessert or coupon to come back next time. It’s ok to mention the snafu, but also to talk about how they were able to recover and still leave you with the warm and fuzzies, ready to come back next time. Honesty is the best policy, so don’t be shy.
Highlight Things That Stood Out to You
As we mentioned before, details are everything. And here is where you can really shine. If you walked into the salon to get your facial and you were greeted with a smile, comfortable furniture, and refreshments, talk about it. If you were struggling with something and the product or service made your life easier, tell future customers in your review. If the bathrooms were the cleanest bathrooms you’ve ever been in, mention it. Was parking easy? You get the picture. These are little things that can make all the difference when you mention them.
Leave a Review in a Timely Manner
Don’t wait to leave a positive review. The sooner you do it the better. Plus, if a product or service made that much of an impact on you, don’t you want to tell people about it so they can get in on the awesomeness? And the business owner will appreciate it. The best time to leave a positive review is when your experience is still fresh.
Word to the Wise When Leaving a Negative Review
We get it. You aren’t always going to have the best experience. We’ve all had bad meals or unsatisfactory customer service. But we feel it’s important to address bad experiences with the business owner or manager first. Try to resolve your complaints with them directly instead of immediately airing your feelings with a negative business review.
If you tried to resolve the issue and it wasn’t addressed or heard, then it’s ok to mention that in a review of the business. Again, you don’t want to seem like you’re being vindictive. Be matter of fact and tactful when you’re delivering a bad review. We think it should be your last resort, not your first reaction.
Learn More About Why Reviews Matter
As a small business, we know firsthand how important reviews are. They can make or break a business. Especially when it comes to your online rankings. Not sure where to start as a small business trying to outrank your competition? We’ve compiled everything you need to know to help you win online. Check out our FREE Ranking Locally Series here.