Common Online Review Platforms and Their Features

In the world of today, businesses face a big challenge: how to use online reviews for trust, visibility, and growth. With nearly 9 out of 10 consumers looking at Google for reviews in 2022, the importance is huge¹. This means companies need to adjust their review plans to use Google, Facebook, and Yelp well.

Since 2012, more than 10,000 brands chose Shout About Us to control their online reviews. Among these, Yelp, Facebook, and Google Business Profile were popular. Yet, recent data shows Google is becoming more important. Facebook and Yelp might be less so in the future¹. This change could affect where businesses put their review efforts.

People trust Google the most for reviews, especially for healthcare. Sixty-six percent prefer Google, with Yelp at 9% and Facebook at 6%. This high trust, and Google’s reviews showing in search results, make it key for businesses¹.

Aside from Google, Facebook, and Yelp, there are niche review sites to watch. For B2B software, Capterra helps connect sellers and buyers. It lists the good and bad of each product. G2, with millions of reviews, also helps software buyers². These sites are crucial for finding the best online tools.

Understanding each review platform’s unique features can help businesses stand out. Whether it’s using Google Maps for good reviews or tools that generate review links for feedback. In today’s tough market, mastering online reviews is essential for success.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Google’s influence in online reviews is growing, with 87% of consumers using it to explore business reviews in 2022.
Businesses should focus on managing reviews on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp, while also considering industry-specific sites.
Consumers trust Google reviews more than any other platform, making it crucial for businesses to prioritize their presence on Google.
B2B SaaS review platforms like Capterra and G2 offer valuable insights and connect businesses with potential buyers.
Developing targeted review management strategies can help businesses build trust, improve local SEO, and address customer pain points effectively.

Introduction to Online Review Platforms

Online reviews are now like the modern word of mouth for businesses in today’s digital world. Almost all shoppers, 99.9%, check out reviews when buying online³. Clearly, these reviews are vital in forming a company’s image and swaying shopper choices. When it comes to buying, 98% say reviews really help them make up their minds, up from 89% in 2018³.

Reviews have big impacts outside the web too, with over half of in-store shoppers checking them as well³. This behavior is strong among Millennials. They lead in looking for product-reviewed sites, beating the average with 85%. This was just 63% in 2018³. So, to reach their audience and gain trust, businesses need to be prominent on key review sites.

But, there are so many review sites out there. It’s a big job for businesses to keep up with managing them all. This is where services like Broadly step in, making it easier to handle feedback and respond to reviews quickly. These tools help companies stay on top of their online reputation game.

Online reviews are golden for business success, affecting 95% of shopper decisions and trusted as much as personal tips by nearly half. Just four platforms – Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Tripadvisor – host most reviews, 88%. So, focusing on these can really pay off⁴.

When businesses maintain 4-star or higher, they win more trust from buyers⁴. This shows how vital it is to keep a good online image and manage reviews well. Responding effectively can change shopper minds for the better and draw in more sales⁴.

As we go further into online review platforms, it’s clear that keeping up with changing consumer needs is key to business success. With the right review management and by understanding the importance of reviews, companies can win more trust, stand out online, and succeed in the digital world.

The Big Three: Google, Facebook, and Yelp

There are three top sites for checking out businesses: Google, Facebook, and Yelp. They’re key for anyone who wants to know more before buying. We’ll look at what makes each great, and where they fall short. This info will help you shine online.

online review platforms

Google Business Profile (GBP) is your friend for online success. It helps you put your best foot forward. Since Google is king in search, winning here is huge. People trust Google for reviews more than other sites, like Yelp or Facebook⁵.

Facebook is a must for connecting with over 1.9 billion people daily⁶. It’s great for standing out and building credibility. Yet, watch out for fake reviews, as they’re on the rise⁵.

Yelp is super important, especially for places to eat and local spots. It keeps fake reviews at bay, which is a big plus. Still, not all reviews get shown. Making your Yelp page look good attracts way more folks⁶.

Platform	Pros	Cons
Google	– Influences local search rankings – Displays nearly all reviews – Most trusted for healthcare reviews	– 50% of consumers noticed fake reviews in 2022
Facebook	– Most preferred by consumers – Enables engagement through posts and ads – Users can recommend and leave comments	– 42% of consumers noticed fake reviews in 2022
Yelp	– Strict policies for authentic reviews – Important for service-based businesses – More photos lead to more connections	– Doesn’t post all reviews – Uses an algorithm for displaying reviews

When it comes to managing your online reputation, Google is at the top⁷. Responding to reviews, good and bad, is key. These top three sites are great for building trust. If you use them well, you can bring in new business and strengthen your brand.

Industry-Specific Review Platforms

Google reviews are key for any local business. But, sites like Facebook, Yelp, and others are also vital. They let customers leave feedback. Industry-specific review websites are important too. They focus on certain areas like hospitality or healthcare. This can help businesses see what they’re doing well and where they can improve⁸.

industry-specific review platforms

In the travel world, Airbnb and Tripadvisor are top platforms for reviews. By 2022, Tripadvisor hit one billion reviews⁸. These travel reviews are critical. They really shape how visible a business is on search engines like DuckDuckGo and Bing⁹.

Sites like Angi (formerly Angie’s List) for home services and Avvo for legal services are valuable. They provide insights that help these companies attract more clients. Review sites for healthcare, like Caring.com, also play a huge role in building customer trust. For example, they help dental practices get noticed by potential clients⁹.

In the auto world, customers can share their feedback on sites like Car Gurus and Cars.com. For eating out, websites like Eat24 and OpenTable allow people to share their dining experiences⁹.

Glassdoor is a key platform for those looking for jobs or hiring. It gives a peek into company culture. Meanwhile, the real estate sector can boost its image and trust by using review sites like Zillow⁹.

In the IT field, places like Capterra and G2 Crowd offer insights for software companies. G2 reviews are particularly helpful. They increase visibility and help businesses influence purchasing decisions through real experiences⁹.

Industry	Review Platforms
Hospitality	Airbnb, Tripadvisor
Home Services	Angi (formerly Angie’s List), HomeAdvisor
Legal Services	Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Lawyers.com
Healthcare	Caring.com, Healthgrades, Zocdoc, RateMDs
Automotive	Car Gurus, Cars.com
Restaurants	Eat24, OpenTable, Zomato
Employment	Glassdoor
Real Estate	Realtor.com, Zillow
IT & Software	Capterra, FinancesOnline, G2 Crowd, GetApp, GoodFirms, SourceForge, TrustRadius

Businesses, especially small ones, can use both general and specific review sites. This approach helps them manage their online image. It also provides strong insights. Implementing these best practices is key to keeping and growing a customer base in their field. Reviews today can really shape a business’s public image and trust⁹.

Overview of Online Review Platforms

In our digital world, online review platforms are key for business success. They give businesses feedback from customers. These sites also let people share thoughts about products and services, helping others learn about different brands. This feedback is essential for businesses to understand and meet customer needs.

Responding to online reviews is vital for a business. It builds trust and shows that the company values its customers. This active involvement in feedback, be it positive or negative, is a sign of good customer service. It helps a business stand out from others, attracting more customers¹⁰.

Managing reviews well involves various steps. It includes encouraging happy customers to leave reviews. This effort can improve a business’s online visibility and local search results. Yet, businesses must follow fair practices. These include avoiding actions like choosing only positive reviews, offering incentives for reviews, or creating fake ones¹⁰.

Platform	Key Characteristics
TripAdvisor	Encourages businesses to ask for reviews, considers recent reviews beneficial for popularity¹⁰
Expedia	Widely used, offers unique features as a review hub¹¹
Yelp	Does not like when companies ask for reviews, hides these reviews from most people¹⁰,¹¹

A study looked at reviews on TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Yelp. It found that mostly, high ratings mentioned good things (84.12%). Negative mentions were less common (15.69%)¹¹. And good mentions in those high ratings mattered more for customer satisfaction than negative ones¹¹.

For businesses, services like Shout About Us can help manage reviews effectively. They offer many tools, like constant monitoring and quick responses. They also help remove fake reviews. With these services, businesses can strengthen their online image. This, in turn, attracts more possible clients¹⁰.

Benefits of Leveraging Online Review Platforms

In the digital era, online reviews help businesses build trust and credibility, leading to more sales. Positive reviews show potential buyers what to expect in quality and service. Studies show that 46% of U.S. consumers are ready to pay more for trusted brands¹².

benefits of online review platforms

Ninety percent of shoppers check online reviews before visiting a business, especially local ones¹². But a negative review can turn away 94% of online shoppers¹². This makes it crucial to manage your online reputation and ask happy customers for feedback.

Online reviews also influence how visible a business is online and its search rankings. Google, for example, uses a business’s review score when setting its local rankings¹³. Review signals have become more important for Local Pack rankings from 2014 to 2021¹³. By getting reviews on various sites, businesses can be found more easily by their target audience.

Responding to reviews, good and bad, helps businesses online. Nearly 9 out of 10 people are more likely to trust a local business that replies to all reviews¹³. MedQuest, for instance, boosted its online ratings by replying to reviews. This led to more reviews on Google and a 163% jump on Facebook¹².

“Online reviews drive an average of 18% sales uplift, and a half-star improvement for a restaurant made it 30% to 49% more likely to fill up at peak hours.”¹²

Online reviews clearly affect a business’s sales and profits. Improving by just one star on Yelp can increase sales by 5% to 9%¹². Seriously Silly Socks saw 60% higher sales thanks to lots of five-star reviews¹². By asking happy customers for reviews and showcasing them, businesses can attract more customers and improve their reputation.

Platform	Impact on Consumer Behavior
Google Business Profile	Seventy-seven percent of local consumers always or regularly turn to reviews when researching a local business¹³
Online Reviews in General	About half of consumers trust online reviews as much as advice from friends and family¹³
Online Reviews vs. Expert Articles	Tweny-eight percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as expert articles¹³
Online Reviews and Purchase Decisions	More than two-thirds of consumers look at reviews before they buy something¹³

By using online reviews, businesses can:

Build trust and credibility among potential customers
Improve online visibility and search engine rankings
Drive more sales and revenue through positive reviews
Gain valuable insights into customer experiences and preferences
Showcase their commitment to customer satisfaction by responding to reviews

In today’s market, managing online presence and leveraging customer reviews can lead to success. By focusing on great products and services, encouraging honest feedback, and engaging with customers online, businesses can excel.

Strategies for Managing Online Reviews

For local businesses, managing online reviews well is key. It helps draw in buyers and keep customers coming back. Almost all consumers look at online reviews before choosing a local business¹⁴. Over 80% check Google reviews specifically¹⁵. This shows how much reviews influence purchases.

Strategies for managing online reviews

Getting satisfied customers to leave Google reviews is a smart move. Reviews on Google can boost conversion rates by 380%¹⁵. Asking customers for reviews works – 65% will write one if you ask¹⁵.

Create well-made business profiles on review platforms. Include info like your address and operating hours. Also, put up photos. This helps attract new customers and gives them important details. Respond to all reviews, good and bad. This shows you care about feedback. Nearly half of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recs¹⁴.

Around 80% of online reviews come from follow-up emails¹⁵. So, sending a post-purchase email asking for feedback is wise.

Use tools like Semrush’s Listing Management for better review handling. They help keep track of reviews and maintain a good online image. This makes managing multiple review platforms much easier.

These tools use machine learning to spot what customers like or dislike. Insights from reviews can help you improve services or products. This lets you enhance customer service and product quality.

Encourage customers to leave reviews on Google Business Profile
Optimize business profiles with relevant information
Respond directly to both positive and negative reviews
Utilize review management tools to streamline the process

Half of a company’s value is tied to its reputation¹⁵. So, it’s crucial to manage reviews well. By interacting with customers online and rewarding them for feedback, you can boost trust. This may lead to more business for you.

Conclusion

In today’s world, online review sites are key for small businesses. They help build trust, boost visibility, and increase sales. Nearly everyone reads these reviews, with 84% trusting them like advice from a friend¹⁶. The main places for reviews are Google and Facebook, where most customers look first¹¹⁷. Companies must focus on these and other specific review platforms. It lets them target their audience and highlight what they do best.

Having a good review strategy sets you apart from the crowd. It means keeping your business details online updated and interacting with the feedback you get. Showing you care about what customers say boosts your image. Also, using tools to manage reviews on different sites makes life easier. These steps help a company stand out, drive more web traffic, and expand its customer base in the digital world.

Online reviews are super important, more trusted than ads or sales pitches by a long shot¹⁶. They can make people spend more and impact what they buy¹⁷. Almost everyone checks reviews before buying something¹⁷, and most trust real comments when they do¹⁷. So, knowing how to handle customer feedback is critical for any small business. It can lead to a strong online image, keep folks coming back, and ensure success in today’s competitive digital scene.

FAQ

What are the most popular online review platforms businesses should focus on?

Businesses should focus on Google Business Profile, Facebook, and Yelp. These sites are widely used and trusted by customers.

How can businesses effectively manage their online reviews?

For good review management, businesses need to work on getting reviews, handling negative ones, and keeping their info updated. Ask customers for feedback, reply to bad reviews fast, and check your info on all sites.

What are the benefits of leveraging online review platforms for businesses?

Online reviews really help businesses gain trust and visibility. They boost sales by assuring people about quality and reliability. Good reviews can lead to more sales and success online.

How do online reviews influence local search rankings?

Customer reviews can boost your online visibility and local ranking. Google looks at your review count and score on Google Business Profile. More reviews on other sites help too, helping you reach more people.

What are some industry-specific review platforms businesses should be aware of?

Airbnb is great for hotels, Angi for home repairs, and Avvo for legal work. Look to Caring.com for health services. There are also Glassdoor for jobs, websites like HomeAdvisor for houses, and Capterra for tech reviews.

How can businesses encourage customers to leave reviews on Google Business Profile?

To get more Google reviews, ask customers directly and give them an easy review link. Offer small rewards for reviews. Make sure leaving a review is simple for them.

What role do review management tools play in streamlining the process?

Tools like Semrush’s Listing Management make handling reviews easier. They help manage your listings and keep your info accurate everywhere. This saves a lot of time and makes your business look reliable.