If Content is considered as the bread and butter of your website, customer reviews are its cakes and ales. Moreover, one of the biggest things that give your website a shot in the arm, thereby moving it up in Google page ranking is a set of online customer reviews. Online customer reviews, also called Testimonials play the role of the word of the mouth in a published form. which remains as a symbol of adoration on your website for as long as you intend to nurture it.

 

However, it may be worthwhile to get reviews on your Google Place page first and then Yahoo! Localpage for apparent reasons. Incidentally, Google not only searches your site for right keywords and unique content, but also looks for your name through the rest of the web. Needless to say, this is best achieved through online reviews. Another significant factor about online reviews indicate that even though many people become influenced by praiseworthy reviews published by known persons, another sizeable group of people are equally influenced by  such reviews that are published by unknown persons. The crux of the matter lies in unbiased appreciation of a product or services which is useful for all and sundry.

How to Deal with Online Reviews

While satisfied customers voluntarily provide praiseworthy online reviews, merely for the asking, others may be pleasantly coaxed (through email) to write a few lines in favor of a product or services. Sending an email with direct links to review sites generally makes it easier for many to respond favorably. Incentives in the form of special discounts are also offered in many cases that often yield encouraging results. However, once a substantial number of reviews have been collected, these are placed on the website on a designated Testimonial or Review Page for the readers to see and act accordingly.

How not to Deal with Online Reviews

• To begin with, do not post your website’s review yourself; nor should it be done by anyone from your organization for fear of reprisals. If it is ever found out that you have beaten your own drum, it would not only affect your Google rank but also make you a target for negative word-of-mouth propaganda.
• Also, prevent anyone sharing your last name (thus suggesting family members) from posting a review as Google dislikes nepotism.
• Do not encourage posting all the reviews in one day. Google likes to look at the scenario in a natural way. As a matter of fact, keep reviews arriving on a consistent scale over a time. Google looks for content update on a continuous basis while preferring to find new reviews each and every month. If this routine is followed on a regular basis, online reviews would be best appreciated by all.