Why Online Reviews Matter (And How To Get More Of Them)

Online reviews have become one of the most powerful influences on consumer behavior. In a world where people have endless options at their fingertips, customer reviews can make or break a business. According to a study by BrightLocal, 98% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses.

Online reviews are more than just digital word-of-mouth — they directly impact your brand’s reputation, search rankings, and customer trust. If you’re not actively managing and encouraging customer reviews, you could be missing out on a valuable opportunity to grow your business. The experts at the BLU Group are here to help explain why online reviews matter and how you can increase them to build a stronger, more trusted brand.

Why Online Reviews Matter

1. Builds Trust And Credibility

Consumers are more likely to trust a business that has a high number of positive reviews. Reviews act as social proof — when potential customers see that others have had a good experience with your business, they are more likely to trust you.

A business with consistently high ratings creates the impression that it is reliable, professional, and customer-focused. On the other hand, a business with few or negative reviews may make potential customers hesitate.

Positive reviews reassure potential customers that they are making the right choice.

2. Improves Local Search Rankings

Google’s algorithm takes online reviews into account when ranking local businesses in search results. High-quality, positive reviews signal to Google that your business is trustworthy and relevant, which can improve your visibility in local search results.

Key factors that influence local search rankings include:

• Review quantity (the total number of reviews)
• Review velocity (how frequently you get new reviews)
• Review diversity (reviews across different platforms like Google and Facebook)
• Star ratings and keywords mentioned in the reviews

Encouraging more reviews not only helps you stand out but also increases the chances of appearing higher in “near me” searches.

3. Influences Consumer Decisions

Before making a purchase, most consumers consult online reviews to see what others are saying. Even if you have a great product or service, a lack of reviews can create doubt in a customer’s mind. When people see positive feedback from real customers, it reduces hesitation and increases the likelihood that they’ll choose your business over a competitor.

4. Provides Valuable Customer Feedback

Reviews are not just for potential customers — they also offer valuable insights into what your business is doing well and where you can improve. Consistent feedback allows you to spot trends, identify weaknesses, and make changes to enhance the customer experience.

For example, if multiple reviews mention that customer service response time is slow, that’s a clear opportunity to improve. Similarly, positive reviews about a particular product or service can help you identify what’s working and double down on it.

How To Get More Online Reviews

Now that you know why reviews matter, here’s how you can increase them:

1. Ask For Reviews At The Right Time

Most customers are happy to leave a review if they’ve had a positive experience — but they often need a little nudge. The key is to ask for a review when the customer is most satisfied.

Best times to ask for a review:

• Right after a successful transaction
• After a positive customer service interaction
• When a customer expresses satisfaction with your product or service

You can ask for reviews through:

• Email follow-ups
• SMS messages
• In-person conversations
• Post-purchase surveys

Example: “Thank you for your recent purchase! We’d love to hear your feedback — please leave us a review to let us know how we did.”

2. Make It Easy To Leave A Review

If leaving a review feels complicated or time-consuming, customers won’t bother. Streamline the process by providing direct links to review platforms and removing any unnecessary steps.

Tips for making it easy:

• Include a direct link to Google or Facebook in emails and text messages.
• Add a “Leave a Review” button on your website and social media profiles.
• Use QR codes in physical locations to direct customers to a review page.

The fewer steps involved, the more likely customers are to follow through.

3. Respond To All Reviews (Positive And Negative)

Engaging with reviews shows that you value customer feedback and care about the customer experience. Responding to positive reviews strengthens customer relationships, while handling negative reviews professionally gives you a chance to turn a bad experience into a positive one.

Tips for responding to reviews:

• Thank customers for positive feedback.
• Apologize for negative experiences and offer to resolve the issue.
• Keep responses professional and polite — even if the review is harsh.
• Avoid defensive or confrontational language.

Example: “Thank you for your feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience. We look forward to seeing you again soon!”

4. Use An Online Review Management Service

Managing and tracking reviews across multiple platforms can be time-consuming. An online review management service can help you monitor, respond to, and generate reviews more efficiently.

With the right system in place, you can:

• Get notified when new reviews are posted.
• Respond to reviews quickly and professionally.
• Identify trends and patterns in customer feedback.
• Encourage more reviews through automated reminders and follow-ups.

How The BLU Group Can Help With Online Review Management

Managing and increasing online reviews can be time-consuming — but The BLU Group’s Online Review Management Service makes it easy.

Our service equips you with the tools you need to generate more positive reviews and protect your reputation:

• Custom Review Web Page: We create a custom web page where customers are asked to give a thumbs up or thumbs down.
  
  • Thumbs up: Directs the customer to leave a review on platforms like Google or Facebook.
  • Thumbs down: Sends the feedback directly to you as an internal message — not a public review — allowing you to resolve the issue privately.
• Professional Responses: Our team will help you craft thoughtful, professional responses to both positive and negative reviews. Prompt, well-crafted responses help build customer trust and improve your reputation.
  
• Automated Follow-Ups: We set up automated systems to remind happy customers to leave reviews and ensure that negative feedback is handled quickly and effectively.
• Physical Sign with QR Code: We provide a professionally designed sign with a QR code that customers can scan to leave a review directly from their phone.
• Social Media Graphic: To increase visibility and engagement, we’ll create a custom social media graphic encouraging customers to leave a review.

This streamlined approach increases the number of positive reviews while helping you address issues before they become public.

Final Thoughts

Online reviews have a direct impact on customer trust, search visibility, and business growth. Positive reviews act as social proof, helping potential customers feel more confident in their decision to choose your business. Actively encouraging and managing customer reviews is one of the most effective ways to build your brand’s reputation and increase customer loyalty.

If you’re ready to take control of your online reputation and start generating more positive reviews, contact The BLU Group today at 608-519-3070 or shoot us an email at info@theblugroup.com. Our Online Review Management service can help you monitor reviews, engage with customers, and build a strong, trusted brand presence online.