There’s a reason customer review sites are so popular. Before they buy, people want to know about customer feedback and what others have to say about the product or service you offer.
However, only a tiny fraction of customers take the time to leave feedback or even write a review. This is okay for big companies with sales in the hundreds of thousands and upwards. But for a small business with an even smaller customer base, you will have to be more proactive to convince your best customers to give public feedback.
There is also the issue of customers being more likely to leave feedback if their experience was negative. With internet access and social media, customers are opting to make these experiences public instead of bringing their grouses to the company for resolution. The goal therefore should be to balance negative comments with positive ones. Here are some simple tips to use when seeking for customer feedback.
- Ask for it. Your satisfied customers will be more than happy to share their experience. When I decided to overhaul my personal website, I asked a few of my long term clients if they would be willing to give me a testimonial. They were all happy to oblige and one even offered a free consultation to help me optimize the site.
- Choose clients with whom you have a great business relationship and who you know are satisfied with your product or service. As much as possible, select clients with established businesses or recognizable name. The clients I selected are professionals who have established reputations in their fields.
- Invite their honest opinion. If it is not to your liking, you could always choose not to use their feedback in your marketing plan.
- Do not pay for reviews. Clients who are paid feel obligated to say what you want them to say as opposed to giving an honest feedback.
- Before posting the testimonial to your website edit the material as much as you can without changing the meaning.
- Finally, update your testimonials at least once a year with feedback from new customers.