{"id":1117,"date":"2022-03-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-06T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-08-15T11:52:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T09:52:36","slug":"online-reviews-for-your-sme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/online-reviews-for-your-sme\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Get More Online Reviews For Your SME Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/benefits-of-inbound-marketing\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - The Benefits of Inbound Marketing for your SME\" title=\"Domains.co.za - The Benefits of Inbound Marketing for your SME\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing<\/a>, tools and platforms change, but one thing always stays the same: the importance of \u201c<strong>word of mouth<\/strong>\u201d, this is where online reviews come in and play a very significant role. People do not necessarily trust brands; but they do trust what other people say about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/get-more-customer-reviews-for-local-business\/349982\/#closeor-local-business\/349982\/#close\" alt=\"Link to Search Engine journal - Article - Get More Customer Reviews\" title=\"Search Engine journal - Article - Get More Customer Reviews\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Statistics show <\/a>that 91% of consumers are more likely to buy products, or make use of a service, after reading positive reviews about the business. Furthermore, 76% of consumers feel the same way about online reviews as they do about recommendations from friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words: reviews matter! That\u2019s why irrespective of the size of your business, <strong>positive online reviews will be your company\u2019s best sales pitch<\/strong>. It\u2019s time to invest in an Online Review Strategy for your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h4>TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/h4><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#things-to-keep-in-mind-when-getting-online-reviews\">Tips to get more Online Reviews <\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1-choose-the-best-approach\">1. Choose the best approach<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-get-your-timing-right\">2. Get your timing right<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-make-it-worth-it\">3. Make it worth it<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-make-it-simple\">4. Make it simple<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-assign-it-to-someone\">5. Assign it to someone<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6-dont-pester-anyone\">6. Don\u2019t pester anyone<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7-dont-ignore-negative-reviews\">7. Don\u2019t ignore negative reviews<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"things-to-keep-in-mind-when-getting-online-reviews\">Tips to get more Online Reviews <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-choose-the-best-approach\">1. Choose the best approach<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the volume of customers you have, and the line of business you are in, the approach you take may differ.&nbsp; If you make 10 sales on average per week, it is completely feasible to phone each customer directly, or to send a personal email. However, if you make 100s of sales weekly, an automated system is better. A B2B company might also consider phoning their customers directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-get-your-timing-right\">2. Get your timing right<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Timing is everything. Reel in Customer Reviews when the experience is still fresh in their memory banks, e.g. like a day or two after their stay at your B&amp;B, or a couple of days after they\u2019ve received their online order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-make-it-worth-it\">3. Make it worth it<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It takes time to compile a good online review and you are asking customers to give up their precious time to do something that will mean more to you than it would to them. So, make it worth their while. Give a discount, or offer a freebie on their next purchase. If they are also willing to share photos, or send a video, then \u2018up\u2019 what you are willing to give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-make-it-simple\">4. Make it simple<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tell your customers why you are asking them for a Customer Review: be transparent.<br>Make the process of submitting a review as simple as possible.<br>Provide links to multiple places where customers can leave a review, then they are able to pick the platform that they are most comfortable with, e.g. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-assign-it-to-someone\">5. Assign it to someone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Obtaining, streamlining and responding to online reviews must be assigned to a responsible person, otherwise, it may not get prioritised. Don\u2019t forget about accidental reviews either; whenever a customer sends a praising email, or WhatsApp, or telephonically thanks a member of your team for a job well done, <strong>take action<\/strong>. The entire team needs to work together to make the process easier!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-dont-pester-anyone\">6. Don\u2019t pester anyone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep it light. Ask once, and if you don\u2019t receive a response \u2013 don\u2019t follow up. A customer may be more willing to write a review the next time. The focus must always be on delivering a great product and service, and because of this reviews will flow more naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-dont-ignore-negative-reviews\">7. Don\u2019t ignore negative reviews<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Negative reviews need to be addressed and sorted out (if possible) as a matter of urgency. Don\u2019t leave any review unanswered, and always learn from the experience. If you are struggling to obtain positive reviews, then it is necessary to ask; \u201cHow I can improve your products or services to turn this around?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don\u2019t have a website?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domains.co.za\u2019s <a alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za - Website Builder Add-on\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Website Builder Add-on\" href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/websitebuilder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">website builder add-on<\/a> can help you get online from as little as R49 per month with our Web Hosting plans (domain name included*). Create a testimonial\/review page or let reviews feed into your home page to assist with conversions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"342\" src=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-1024x342.png\" alt=\"Domains.co.za Website Builder - Blog: How To Get More Online Reviews For Your SME Business\" class=\"wp-image-2651\" title=\"Domains.co.za Website Builder - Blog: How To Get More Online Reviews For Your SME Business\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-1024x342.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-1536x512.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-960x320.png 960w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder-705x235.png 705w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/domains-website-builder.png 1655w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*Ts &amp; Cs Apply.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In marketing, tools and platforms change, but one thing always stays the same: the importance of \u201cword of mouth\u201d, this is where online reviews come in and play a very significant role. People do not necessarily trust brands; but they do trust what other people say about them. Statistics show that 91% of consumers are more likely to buy products, or make use of a service, after reading positive reviews about the business. Furthermore, 76% of consumers feel the same way about online reviews as they do about recommendations from friends and family. In other words: reviews matter! That\u2019s why irrespective of the size of your business, positive online reviews will be your company\u2019s best sales pitch. It\u2019s time to invest i <a alt='How To Get More Online Reviews For Your SME Business' title='How To Get More Online Reviews For Your SME Business' href='https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/online-reviews-for-your-sme\/' class='moreElipsis'>[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1275,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1009],"tags":[1506,1507,1505],"class_list":["post-1117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-domain-tips","tag-adopting-the-best-review-approach-for-your-clients","tag-keep-the-review-process-simple","tag-optimising-your-company-online-review-strategy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1117"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3737,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1117\/revisions\/3737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}