You already understand how quickly trends change as a business owner or marketing specialist, and how important it is to stay up to date. It is crucial to keep an eye out for any new trends or advancements in the handling of online reviews, particularly about Yelp and Google. After instance, how can you be sure that your methods for obtaining and reacting to reviews are effective if you have no idea how customers feel about your company’s evaluations or responses? In a nutshell, the answer is no.
It turns out that 99.9% of buyers look through reviews before deciding what to buy. And they have a great deal of faith in one another. So profound that about half of all shoppers regard internet reviews as highly as guidance from their close friends and family. However, everything isn’t sunshine and rainbows. Up to thirty prospective purchasers can be turned off by one mistake or one unfavorable review.
As we go deeper into the 2023 online reviews trend, this article gives businesses useful insights regarding the state of online reviews and customer attitudes around them. As we go over some of the highlights, make sure to read all the way through.
Do Online Reviews Still Matter Today?
You may be asking if reviews still have the same influence in light of the fall in daily review readership and the rise in suspicion about their veracity.
But think about this before you write them off as old news: A significant portion of consumers continue to rely on reviews and suggestions for local businesses when making substantial purchases, despite a decline in daily involvement.
Let’s examine the trends in online reviews in more detail and discover how companies might benefit from them.
1. Customers who “daily” read internet reviews fell from 34% in 2021 to 21% in 2022.
In just a year, the percentage of people who read daily reviews fell from 34% to 21%, suggesting a change in customer behavior or even a reduction in trust. Companies should monitor this development and modify their review tactics as necessary.
2. While in the store, 8 out of 10 customers use their smartphones to look up product reviews.
Shopping has become more hybrid as a result of the staggering 80% of consumers who pull out their cell phones to read reviews even when they are in-store. Retailers’ plans should take this mobile-first approach into account.
3. When looking into a product online in 2018, 85% of consumers actively looked for bad reviews.
In 2018, eighty-five percent of customers actively looked for bad reviews. Customers are searching for possible warning signs in addition to validation. Companies need to understand that people are looking for their weaknesses.
4. When a product is more expensive, 80% of consumers are more likely to read reviews.
Reviews are becoming more and more important as prices rise. For more expensive products, 80% of consumers are more inclined to read reviews. Customers use reviews as a way to reduce risk, therefore it’s important to be sure there are reliable reviews available for pricey products.
5. An increase from 81% in 2021 to 87% in 2022 occurred when customers used Google to assess local businesses.
In just a single year, Google’s sway over local company reviews increased from 81% to 87%. Because of this, Google is an essential resource for local companies. You’re losing out on a big portion of your prospective market if you’re not on Google.
The Impact of Online Reviews on Consumer Behavior
The new word-of-mouth that is emerging from online evaluations is influencing customer behavior in ways that traditional marketers can only imagine. Reviews are the unseen hand directing our decisions, whether it’s where to get a quick bite to eat or what laptop to buy.
But ratings aren’t the only consideration. Our level of faith in a review and, consequently, in the firm itself is influenced by several factors, ranging from the number of reviews to the speed at which a business responds to negative comments.
The following trends from online reviews illustrate how they impact relationships between customers and brands.
1. Reviewed products are consulted by an astounding 99.9% of internet shoppers.
The majority of people read reviews before clicking “buy.” This almost universal habit highlights the influence of peer opinion in e-commerce. You’re losing out on a huge chance to sway consumers’ decisions to buy if you’re not paying attention to reviews.
2. Within a week after publishing an unfavorable review, 53% of customers demand a reaction.
More than 50% of customers anticipate prompt attention to their unfavorable evaluations. Companies only have a short window of opportunity to properly manage their online reputation. Losing the trust of customers can result from ignoring this.
3. 79% of shoppers proactively look for websites featuring product reviews.
Product reviews are an essential element for eCommerce websites, as evidenced by the nearly 80% of shoppers who actively search for them. Many shoppers won’t even consider you if you don’t have any reviews.
4. When reading reviews, 77% of customers look at the average star rating.
When reading reviews, the majority of customers focus on the average star rating. This implies that a product’s appeal can be greatly increased by having a high average rating. To draw in more clients, businesses should strive to keep their average high.
5. The impact of one negative review can be mitigated by up to 12 fresh positive ones.
The disproportionate influence of negative reviews is highlighted by the fact that it takes twelve positive evaluations to equal the harm caused by one negative one. Positive reviews are a proactive way for businesses to protect their reputation.
How Dangerous Are Today’s Fake Online Reviews?
The authenticity of internet evaluations is being questioned more than ever because of fake Amazon reviews and unusually positive five-star ratings. Do consumers still believe what they read, then? The response is a convoluted combination of “it depends,” “no,” and yes.
We’ll dig into the online review trends in this part to see how consumers now feel about negative online reviews.
1. Consumers will 97% of the time lose faith in a brand as a result of fake reviews.
The majority of customers will stop believing in a company if they believe that the evaluations are phony, demonstrating the harm that phony reviews can do to an establishment’s standing. It’s important not to treat it lightly.
2. 56% of buyers said they wouldn’t purchase a product if they thought the reviews weren’t real.
Because phony reviews cause more than half of shoppers to abandon a purchase, there is a direct impact on sales and a high level of risk. By checking reviews and flagging fraudulent ones, we can make sure that only real feedback is published and that consumers have the knowledge they need to make an informed decision.
3. Consumers are 84% unable to always identify phony reviews.
Most customers acknowledge that they aren’t always able to spot a phony review. This makes the problem even more complicated. Companies might have to go above and beyond to substantiate the veracity of their reviews.
4. When there is no negative feedback, 95% of buyers suspect filtered or falsified evaluations.
It is suggested that having a mix of positive and negative evaluations could boost credibility, as almost all buyers get dubious if they do not see any bad reviews. Companies ought to pause before eliminating unfavorable reviews.
5. 2020 saw the removal of 3 million fake business review accounts and 55 million reviews that had broken Google rules.
In 2020 alone, Google removed 3 million phony business review accounts and an astounding 55 million reviews. Although this indicates that steps are being taken, the sheer volume raises concerns. How many phony reviews might have gotten past the filters is a mystery. What if they were rating products incorrectly? Because of this, there needs to be greater openness regarding reviews.
Trends in Online Reviews You Should Be Aware of!
As you peruse the statistics below, consider the following query: Is your review management approach completely in line with the demands, preferences, and wishes of customers in 2023? Or is your present approach to handling customer reviews costing you prospective business? And isn’t it time for a change if you fall into the second category?
- An astounding 98% of respondents claim to read internet evaluations of nearby companies, with 76% of them doing so “regularly.” This emphasizes how crucial it is to set up a business page on multiple search engines, including Google, and make sure your business listings are current and accurate.
- While Facebook is losing clout, Google is growing much more significantly than it always was. In 2022, 87% of consumers said they used Google to evaluate local businesses, up from 81% in 2021. On the other hand, compared to 54% in 2020, Facebook use for the same purpose decreased to 46% in 2022.
- Customers are more likely to leave a review if the business went above and beyond to guarantee they had an excellent experience. In such a case, 44% of customers believe they’d be “highly likely” to write a review. Customers are second most likely to review your business if they had a terrible experience that was converted into a very positive experience (36%).
- A greater number of customers are submitting good evaluations than unfavorable ones. In 2021, 34% of customers reported having published a favorable review in the previous 12 months, compared to 7% who reported writing a negative one. The first number increased to 37% in 2022 while the second number decreased to 6% from 7%.
- When solicited for reviews, the majority of customers prefer to receive requests via email over other means. Asking via email would increase the likelihood that a customer will provide an online review, according to 34% of respondents. But nearly as many customers stated that if the request was made in person or during the sale (33%), on a receipt or invoice (32%), or via social media (31%), they would be more likely to post a review.
Conclusion
As we delve into the evolving trends of online reviews in 2023, it’s clear that managing your digital reputation is more crucial than ever. This is where CheckTheReviews comes into play, offering a robust solution for online reputation management. By utilizing this software, businesses can effectively align with the latest trends, manage customer feedback across multiple platforms, and enhance their overall customer service.
With its help, your business isn’t just adapting to the changing landscape – it’s positioning itself as a potential contender for the best customer service award, showcasing the power of proactive and responsive review management.
