When we shop for anything online, the first thing we do is type in the key words to find more relatable products. We may not have a specific store in mind, so our experience becomes a tough decision-making process – how do online reviews play their part in this?

Let’s head back to the last time you bought something online, unless you only go out shopping in town (boring!) It may be that it took a google search to find several similar stores that deliver what you’re wanting.

Click this link here as an example. As we can see, the obvious big brands pop up such as Matalan and H&M pop up. As they have such a reputation, they’re usually the only brands to earn real reviews

It is said that around 90% of consumers tend to look up online reviews before approaching a business.

Online ratings can be an unhealthy however very firm way to compete as a business. It isn’t rare for businesses to hire writers to make bogus reviews for new products. Online supergiant Yelp for example offered a $25 PayPal transfer to post a legitimate-looking review to help boost restaurant ratings and online performance.

This is just as easy to carry out as it is to get caught, Google and Amazon can trace reviews to writer’s social media accounts. If your employment is listed the same as the company you’re reviewing, both you and the company could face bans from domains or even fines of over £100,000 for a company.

This can be a huge loophole in industries where online presence is a key factor, e.g. clothing, broadband. A study by podium states that 68% of consumers are willing to pay significantly more (15%+) for products/services that they trust in getting a better experience.

For more about the Podium study, click here

As a business, it is vitally important that reviews are legitimate and are tracked across different social media channels and websites.

Written By Harrison Jones

References : https://www.business2community.com/infographics/impact-online-reviews-customers-buying-decisions-infographic-01280945 https://www.reviewtrackers.com/online-reviews-shopping/ http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/03/27/online-reviews-impact-purchasing-decisions-over-93-consumers-report-suggests