In this article, we look at how online reviews can help build trust in your business. We also explore the benefits of online reviews for boosting the performance of your website.
Online reviews are a great way to build trust in your funeral business. Seeing that others have had a positive experience helps to reassure families at a difficult time. They want to feel confident that their loved one will be treated with respect and care, arrangements will be managed professionally, and their wishes fulfilled.
Today’s consumers routinely refer to online reviews to help them choose a product or service. In a competitive market, reviews can serve as a decisive factor when potential clients are comparing your services with local funeral homes or national providers.
Posting responses to online reviews, whether positive or negative, shows that you value feedback from your families. This can also lead to a positive perception of your business and greater trust.
Your website is one of your business’s greatest assets, helping you to reach and connect with potential clients. Online reviews are a useful tool for ensuring that your website works hard for you not just to help win the trust of your clients but also ensuring that anyone searching for the services you offer can find you.
Online reviews drive search engine optimisation (SEO) by providing fresh content that Google, and other search engines, index. This ongoing stream of new content improves your website’s SEO, ensuring that it appears high up any search results. Simply featuring reviews is helpful in its own right, so don’t feel that you have to have dozens of glowing reviews to start with.
SEO performance relies on frequently updated content and a benefit of reviews is that you do not need to create the content yourselves.
Occasionally, you might receive negative feedback which could harm your business’s reputation. Posting a prompt and public response will show that you care about your client’s feedback. A balance of positive and less glowing feedback may also convey the authenticity of your reviews.
A potential issue with some online reviews services is that anyone can post a review, and there is no verification process to ensure it is genuine. The impact on your business can be enough to put you off adding reviews to your site. However, reviews are so powerful that it is worth weighing up the options available. You can use more than one service, and any suspicious activity can be reported to the service provider.
In our article earlier this year, we looked at three different options for collecting and sharing reviews:
MuchLoved reviews service - Our independent, moderated reviews service, is included in our paid subscription package. Reviews are easily added to your website using our widget and can be integrated into your website design. Review requests can be emailed to chosen clients, via your MuchLoved partner area, so families receive a personal request from you.
Google Reviews are some of the most accessible business ratings online. Reviews are shown next to your business profile when someone does an internet search. As Google is the most used search engine in the UK, reviews posted via their service are likely to get high visibility.
Facebook Reviews give you the option of collecting reviews via one of your social media channels. Anyone visiting your Facebook page can access your reviews via the tab below your cover picture. They can post a review if they have a Facebook account.
Find out more about all three options in our article on How online reviews can boost your business.
By strategically leveraging online reviews, you can build trust, enhance your online presence and attract more clients. Here are a few practical tips:
If you have queries about the MuchLoved service, you can contact us on support@muchloved.com or call our team on 01494 722818.
These links may also be useful: Google Reviews and Facebook reviews and ratings.
