{"id":117248,"date":"2022-06-08T19:13:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T00:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dacgroup.com\/5-ways-to-use-bad-reviews-to-your-advantage\/"},"modified":"2024-12-19T16:44:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T21:44:24","slug":"5-ways-to-use-bad-reviews-to-your-advantage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dacgroup.com\/en-ca\/insights\/blog\/local-search\/5-ways-to-use-bad-reviews-to-your-advantage\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to use bad reviews to your advantage"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to reputation management<\/a>, customer reviews are everything. Not only are they free content and marketing for your brand, but they can also help increase search engine ranking, drive sales, and help build credibility for your company. But just like good reviews can create positive signals, bad reviews can bring you right back down.<\/p>\n

Luckily, negative reviews play an important role and can actually be a good thing\u2014as long as you handle them properly. Here are five ways you can use bad reviews to your advantage and improve your business in the long run.<\/p>\n

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    Take them as an opportunity to interact with your customers<\/h2>\n

    Consumers don\u2019t want to feel like they\u2019re yelling into a void if they leave a review, so responding to reviews\u2014both good and bad\u2014is an essential part of reputation management for any brand. If a customer is upset enough to leave a negative review, it\u2019s your job to find a way to make it up to them. Empathetic, sincere responses can go a long way, both for the customer that left the original review and as an example to future customers as to what they can expect from you if they experience an issue.<\/p>\n

    Responding to all reviews can also be a lucrative habit to get into. According to one study, consumers spend 49% more with companies that respond to their reviews than those that don\u2019t. Just be careful with how you use templated responses. If customers notice that you respond the same way to every two-star review, they\u2019re going to get the impression you aren\u2019t being genuine. Personalized responses can go a long way to increasing a sense of belonging and loyalty.<\/li>\n

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    Use them to gain insight into how you can improve<\/h2>\n

    Without critical feedback here and there, it can be harder to pinpoint where you need to focus your efforts to improve. Running a business involves keeping tabs on a lot of moving parts, so a bad review could be that squeaky wheel you need to focus your attention on and make much-needed changes.<\/p>\n

    \"5<\/p>\n

    For businesses with multiple locations, reviews can also be invaluable for understanding differences in the market. What works in one location might not be as effective somewhere else. You can also rely on reviews\u2014good and bad\u2014to get insight into how your staff is representing your brand and pinpoint any adjustments that need to be made.<\/li>\n

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    Consider them a valuable source of information for your customers<\/h2>\n

    Consumers who read reviews are looking for more information about a product or service before they buy. While they aren\u2019t expecting perfection, they do expect authenticity. For example, a restaurant review might call out something like a lack of vegetarian options as a negative feature. If that\u2019s a deal-breaker for a potential customer, the review has let them know your restaurant isn\u2019t the right place for them. For other people, that particular detail won\u2019t be a concern and it won\u2019t affect their opinion of your business. Simply put, a lower review accompanied with comments is much more valuable than a perfect 5-star review without any comments.<\/p>\n

    Overall, a couple 2\u20134-star reviews can go a long way in building credibility for your business\u2019s online presence. Less-than-perfect reviews tend to be more thoughtful and will often include specific pros and cons that may be helpful to other potential customers. A Trustpilot study found that over half of consumers believe that a less-than-perfect review is more authentic<\/a>. Consumers appreciate hearing firsthand, unbiased experiences that can help them decide whether your business is right for them.<\/li>\n

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