Ask A Reputation Manager: In-House Reviews

This Month: In-House Reviews

In this month’s edition of “Ask A Reputation Manager,” we spoke with Artise, who is a very important member of our in-house reputation management team because we had some questions about in-house reviews. Artise sat down with us to teach us a little bit about in-house reviews, what they are, how to get them, and how helpful they can be for businesses.

About Artise

Superstar reputation manager, Artise, has been working with Top Rated Local® for about two years and, in his words, has “really found a home” in reputation management. He’s incredibly passionate about helping both businesses and their customers get the best use out of Top Rated Local and other review sites, and he utilizes his experience both working with businesses and being a customer to help his clients form a stellar online reputation.

What are in-house reviews?

“In house reviews are reviews that are generated in-house by the client, taking advantage of what I call the ‘you just finished my cool stuff’ effect, while customers are full of endorphins, happy, and want to express that happiness in some way. For example: say it’s a martial arts school. A student wants to leave a review because it’s the best martial arts school they’ve ever been to. That’s a good time to ask for an in-house review.”

So, should businesses ask for in-house reviews from every client, every time?

“No, and the reason I say that is because if a person wants to leave a review, it’s generally indicated in their tone. If they say, ‘Hey, you did a really great job and I wish there was a way that I could thank you,’ or something along those lines, that’s in-house review territory. If the guy is just like, ‘Hey, thanks for the job,’ you don’t really want them to leave a review. Obviously, when someone hasn’t had the world’s greatest experience, the last thing you want them to do is leave a review. That’d be a big no-no.”

What makes this an effective approach to getting reviews?

“The most immediate thing is the double-pronged approach — you’re requesting a review right then and there and taking the secondary opportunity to send an email requesting a review. Then, of course, there’s the endorphin effect. That makes people even more likely to leave positive reviews. Particularly with service clients, acting quickly is going to give you a much better chance of a review.”

Are there certain industries in particular that can benefit from in-house reviews?

Service industries, definitely, almost exclusively. That, and anyone who’s client-facing. The higher priced the service is, the more it starts to wean in effectiveness. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work can particularly benefit from in-house reviews. 

Can you tell us a few things that most people don’t know about in-house reviews?

“For one, most people don’t know how easy it can be to set up for your business if you have the right tools (like a solid reputation manager through Top Rated Local). Also, people don’t know that in-house reviews have a really high rate of success, especially compared to an email campaign. The reason is simply that you’re in front of their face. If you ask somebody to their face to leave a review, chances are, they aren’t going to leave you one star reviews. Just that alone makes it worth the effort, even if you’re not a social person.”

What else should we know?

In-house reviews have already been shown to boost the amount of reviews businesses receive, versus the standard email method. I would say a lot of my clients are pleasantly surprised by how effective they are. I think they assume that if the opportunity for a review is available, it’ll just present itself. But, that’s not the case. It’s absolutely not the case. Mostly, that’s because customers don’t think like business owners. They simply want to get the job done and get out, unless you change the conversation by asking for a review.


On Top Rated Local®, you get a better glimpse of your business’ online reputation through our cumulative Rating Score™ system. Want to see what Top Rated local® can do for your business? Sign up today and check out your Rating Score™.

Florida’s Top Rated Local® Businesses: 2019

The sunshine state is so much more than just oranges, beaches, and theme parks. It’s home to more than 21 million people and all of the businesses that help them to lead happy, healthy, safe and productive lives. We are ecstatic to announce the best of the best, our 2019 Top Rated Local® award winners in the state of Florida!

The total number of verified review sites, the average overall star rating a business has on those sites, and the total number of ratings/reviews they have posted on those sites all play a role in the overall Rating Score™ calculation. The more ratings/reviews a business has posted on verified review sites, as well as the higher the average overall star rating, the higher the Rating Score. The highest possible Rating Score is 100.

The owners and employees of these Florida businesses have worked tirelessly to prove themselves as the best at what they do. With more than 2.5 million small businesses in the state, the competition is certainly tough, which speaks to the high standard to which our award winners hold themselves. Our Florida award winners have an impressive average Rating Score™ of 98.65 and an average rating on verified review sites of 4.92.

The number one business in Florida is White Orchid spa, with a perfect 100.00 Rating Score and an average rating on verified sites of 4.97 stars. They’ve worked hard to pamper Florida residents and now, they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor!

Congratulations to all of our spectacular Florida award winners, and thank you for your continued work and support for your community!

Why You Shouldn’t Attack Your Competitors’ Reputation

So, You’re Thinking About Attacking. Let’s Talk That Out.

Let us start this off by assuring you that you are not the first business owner or marketing manager to consider attacking your competitors. It’s a natural impulse to have when you know you’re the very best at what you do, and you feel like your competitors can’t, well, compete. Maybe they even practice dirty tactics that you feel like make the market unfair and put you in a corner. It can be really tempting to attack them and the temptation is understandable. Should you actually do it? No way. It will only result in bad things for you and your company. AT Top Rated Local®, we’re here to help you figure out why you shouldn’t and what to do instead. 

Why It’s A Bad Idea

Even though it can definitely be tempting to run a review-based smear campaign on a competitor, it’s really nothing but a good and quick way to make yourself and your business look bad.  Not only could you suffer from legal repercussions like a lawsuit or a cease and desist order, but your entire reputation could be at stake simply because you retaliated.

You Could Get Sued

A lawsuit would be an absolute nightmare for any business to endure, but you already know that. Defaming your competitors is a great way to wind up smack dab in the middle of that nightmare. If you write a bad review for a competitor simply because they are your competitor, that can, in some cases, be legally considered libel. Assuming you don’t want to deal with expensive lawyer fees, time-sucking proceedings, and possible fines, it’s best to keep your eyes on your own paper.

It’s Ineffective

Frankly speaking, it is easy to tell when a bad review is left by a competitor. No matter how sneaky you think you’re being, the fact is, you probably aren’t quite as inconspicuous as you think. Your issues with the competition will sneak out one way or another, and a fake profile can be easily spotted from a mile away (assuming you aren’t boldly using your own personal review site profile). The best way to avoid the risk of getting caught leaving a false review is to never do so in the first place.

It Makes You Look Bad

As Thumper, the cute and wise-beyond-his-years bunny from the classic Disney film entitled ‘Bambi,’ would say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” That logic and wisdom certainly applies here. Nothing makes you look worse than talking trash about your competitors. Think about what you would do if you saw one business defaming another. Our educated guess is that you wouldn’t want to give them any of your money. People will assume that if you were really that good, you wouldn’t have to talk smack. But, you are great at what you do, so don’t diminish and overshadow that by attacking your competitors’ reputations. 

What You Can Do Instead

Now that launching a full-blown attack on your competitors’ online reputation is out of the question, it may seem like you’re out of ideas and back at square one — and that’s okay! Our job is to help you figure out what to do here. Try boosting yourself and your business up. 

Show Your Worth

You are excellent at what you do, and in your book and that of your loyal customers, you’re the best. Make that clear. Amp up your social media and marketing efforts and post valuable content on both social sites and blogs. Make sure everyone in your community knows just what a fantastic business you run. Beyond that, simply make sure you’re responding to feedback positively and taking it into account, and continue to be phenomenal at what you do. 

Ask For Reviews

We can’t say it enough: ASK FOR REVIEWS. Encourage the people you serve to leave their feedback. Having customers honestly vouch for you is an incredible boon to your online reputation and there is truly nothing that will make you look better than doing well and receiving praise for it.

Respond To Feedback Appropriately

This is the true key to making sure your reputation stays spotless. If your customers have complaints or concerns regarding what you do, be understanding. Put their needs first. Respond politely and take their feedback into account. 

What To Do If It Happens to You

If someone launches an attack on your online reputation, it may seem like an impossible situation to get out of. Thankfully, that is absolutely not the case. Your business can bounce back from this. We’re not lawyers, so we won’t recommend any legal action. But, one thing we do know a lot about is reputation management, and we know that if you pull back from the focus on your competition and start focusing on your online reputation, it’ll make a huge difference and help your brand. 

Double Down On Reputation Management Efforts

Your reputation will only improve if you put forth a concerted effort to make it better. That means asking for reviews, making sure all of your online listings are in order, and making reputation management an integral part of your business’ marketing strategy. Whether you hire the professionals or you simply learn to do it yourself, an investment in reputation management always pays off. Strive to make your reputation impenetrable so that you can fight off any attack lobbied against you.


Build A Strong Online Reputation

By using Top Rated Local, you can master your online reputation. We collect data from dozens of verified review sites across the internet to create a cumulative Rating Score™. With this system, you can get an in-depth look into your all over online reputation and completely master your business’ reputation management. Claim your business’ listing and sign up for an account today to see how Top Rated Local can be one of the most valuable tools in your toolbelt and help you rise above the competition.

 

Hawaii’s Top Rated Local® Businesses: 2019

The Aloha State is home to a vibrant culture, gorgeous natural areas, and now, hundreds of Top Rated Local® award winning businesses! We are ecstatic to announce the release of our award winners for 2019 here.

The total number of verified review sites, the average overall star rating a business has on those sites, and the total number of ratings/reviews they have posted on those sites all play a role in the overall Rating Score™ calculation. The more ratings/reviews a business has posted on verified review sites, as well as the higher the average overall star rating, the higher the Rating Score. The highest possible Rating Score is 100.

From mom-and-pop shops to franchises, these businesses truly represent what Hawaii is all about. Hawaii has more than 126,000 small businesses (around 99 percent of the state’s total businesses), making the competition fierce. But our award winners rose to the challenge and set themselves apart from the crowd. Their employees have worked hard to make a difference in their community, and that work has certainly paid off. Our Hawaii award winners have an average Rating Score of 95.85 and an average star rating of 4.88 on verified sites.

We would love to give an extra shoutout to Hawaii’s number one Top Rated Local business for 2019, Chambers Escape Games! With a perfect 100.00 Rating Score, they’ve provided an unforgettable experience to countless Hawaii residents and visitors, and they now have an award to show for it.

Congratulations to all of these spectacular Hawaii businesses! Keep on being great at what you do and serving your customers well!

Vermont’s Top Rated Local® Businesses: 2019

Beyond just beautiful Autumns and maple syrup, Vermont has so much to offer its residents, including tons of fabulous small businesses. That’s why we are so incredibly excited to announce our 2019 Vermont award winners!

The total number of verified review sites, the average overall star rating a business has on those sites, and the total number of ratings/reviews they have posted on those sites all play a role in the overall Rating Score™ calculation. The more ratings/reviews a business has posted on verified review sites, as well as the higher the average overall star rating, the higher the Rating Score. The highest possible Rating Score is 100.

With nearly 78,000 small businesses, the competition to be a Top Rated Local® business in Vermont is certainly fierce. But, that’s part of what makes our award winners so extraordinary. Because of their hard work and dedication to their customers, they’ve earned an average 95.85 Rating Score and an average star rating of 4.23 on verified review sites.

We would love to give an extra shoutout to Vermont’s number one Top Rated Local business for 2019, Amy Bennet Photography! With a perfect 100.00 Rating Score, they’ve captured the memories of countless Vermont residents and visitors, and they now have an award to show for it.

Congratulations to all of our Vermont award winners! Keep up the good work!

Reputation Management 101

Your Guide To Online Reputation Management

It used to be that your business’ reputation relied solely on word of mouth. And although word of mouth is still absolutely an important thing to generate; now, it’s really not what people pay the most attention to when choosing a business to give their money to. In 2019, it’s all about online reputation management. Online reputation, when you first hear of it, can seem vague and maybe even a little bit confusing. What does it mean? Why is it important? How do you incorporate it into your business’ digital marketing strategy? If you don’t know what to do, need a refresher, or don’t even know where to start, we are here to help — Top Rated Local® to the rescue. In this blog, we will give you the rundown on what it takes to make your online reputation work for you.

What It Is

Reputation management is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a way to control how current and potential customers, competitors, or clients see your business. However, it goes far deeper than just that. Reputation management is vital for the success of any business. Nowhttps://www.topratedlocal.com/blog/reputation-management/reputation-management-101/adays, your customers are the ones who sculpt your reputation. Because of that, rather than just being a tool in your tool belt, reputation management should be approached with the same level of seriousness and effort as marketing or accounting for your business. By making it one of your main, day-to-day priorities and long-term goals, you can craft the image you want for your company and truly make your business stand out among the crowd — for the right reasons.

In action, managing your online reputation means managing your footprint online in its totality and involves everything from social media to SEO (social media optimization), but it stands mostly on online reviews. Those can be difficult to navigate, but it is completely doable. By incorporating reputation management into your digital marketing strategy, you take a more proactive role in the success of your business. Countless businesses have benefited from online reputation management, and yours will, too.

Why It’s Important

Now that you know what reputation management is, we can move on to why it matters. Let’s start out with the facts. Here are some quick statistics:

  • Seventy percent of people will leave a review if they are asked
  • Forty-two percent of people will not use a business with less than a three-star average rating
  • Sixty-nine percent of job seekers won’t work for a company if it has a bad online reputation
  • It only takes six reviews for 73 percent of your community to form an opinion about your business
  • Up to 80 percent of people trust reviews as much as a recommendation

Knowing that, you can see why you would want to put as much work as possible into your online reputation. But, why should you start now? One of the most staggering reasons is time. It takes a while to build a truly phenomenal online reputation, and you really want to hit the ground running. That being said, that reputation can be destroyed very quickly by negative reviews if you aren’t careful. By taking a proactive role in managing your business’ online reputation, you can react appropriately and in a timely manner to poor reviews and save the situation before it gets too bad. Reputation management is an artful combination of offense and defense, which is what makes it such an impactful part of any marketing strategy.

What You Can Do

Now that you know what reputation management is and why it’s important, you’re almost certainly wondering how to implement it into your business’ digital marketing strategy. Although it can be incredibly valuable to hire professionals to manage your online reputation, there are certainly aspects you can handle yourself, at least while you’re getting started. Those come down to three things — monitoring, responding, and strategizing.

Monitor

The first step to building a stellar online reputation is monitoring. Take stock of your business’ online reputation by going through popular reviews sites, like Google, Facebook, and Yelp to see how you business is doing at the moment. After that, as you’re implementing the other aspects of online reputation management, continue to monitor your reviews, as well as your social media mentions and comments. Top Rated Local is a great place to station your reputation management, with our cumulative Rating Score™ system and convenient portals to tons of verified review sites.

Respond

Once you see what you’re working with, you can respond. Having an active conversation with your customer base is great for any business’ online reputation. This is particularly important when it comes to bad reviews and other negative feedback. You want to respond promptly (which is part of why you must monitor your online reputation often) and politely, as well as to actually learn and grow from the feedback you receive. After all, most issues are fixable, and resolving the issue quickly can result in return business 95 percent of the time.

Strategize

By addressing the more immediate tasks of monitoring and responding, you can start to strategize, based on the feedback you’ve received and the patterns you observe. One truly invaluable benefit reviews provide is real and direct feedback regarding how you did and what you can improve upon, which is kind of like playing the long game for a better reputation online and off.


Top Rated Local is an invaluable tool that any business looking to strengthen their online reputation can use! With our proprietary Rating Score system, you can get an in-depth look into your business’ online reputation. We collect reviews and ratings from dozens of verified sources all across the web to come up with a cumulative score that gives you a glimpse into where you stand with your online reputation, and even links directly to those review sites so you can easily strategize. Not only that, but your clients or customers can leave reviews directly on the Top Rated Local site or in our convenient app. Think of Top Rated Local as your one-stop shop for reputation management.

Reputation Management For Hair Salons

How do I make my hair salon stand out online?

The beauty industry is extremely competitive, especially online. Not only that, but the vast majority of people are highly vigilant when it comes to which salon they choose and will often pour through countless reviews and social media profiles to make sure they’re picking the right one. That is why it is of the utmost importance that you have a firm grasp on your salon’s online reputation. In this blog, we’ll teach you eight ways to do just that, so that you can increase your client base and come across strong online.

Manage Your Online Reviews

We mention this in almost every blog we write, no matter the industry it’s about. Managing your online reviews is key when it comes to reputation management. However, this has particular importance for hair salons. People want to look their best, and you know that better than anybody. That’s why most really do their research before choosing a hair salon. They’ll pour through as many reviews as possible to make sure they choose the right stylist. In order to make sure your business comes across well on review sites, try the following:

  • Ask your clients to leave reviews (preferably with pictures)
  • Respond politely and in a solution-driven manner to negative reviews
  • Respond positively to positive reviews

Claim All Of Your Listings

Claiming your listings on any and all review sites can help your online reputation incomparably. By claiming your listings, you get to control the information displayed on review sites and social media, and you can respond professionally and actively to any reviews you receive. A claimed listing allows you to upload pictures, provide up-to-date phone numbers and addresses, and take an active role in your online reputation. Don’t have any claimed listings? Start with Top Rated Local®! You can do that here. 

Showcase Positive Reviews On Your Website

We cannot stress this enough: you want to encourage positive reviews! This is your opportunity not to have to be humble. When someone says something nice about you, let everyone know — well, everyone who visits your website, at least. Chances are, random strangers on the street wouldn’t appreciate it if you approached them just to brag about your positive reviews. Just know that if your clients are sharing positive sentiments about you online, it’s because they want them to be heard. Not only that, but it provides a user-friendly experience for your future clients and legitimizes the claims you make on your website that you are great at what you do.

Ask Clients To Fill Out A Survey

In order to do well at anything, you need to be constantly improving. That is something any good business owner already knows. That’s particularly true for salon professionals. You go to conferences, take classes, and are always boosting your hair knowledge. Why should that be any different when it comes to customer service? What often gets overlooked is how important it is that people can see you’re improving and that you care about doing so. Providing a survey for your clients to fill out and then taking the feedback they provide demonstrates that you truly are there to serve the client and that you want your business to be the very best it can be. Try offering incentives and contests for surveys to be filled out, like a discounted or free service.

Don’t Let Special Occasions Pass You By

Your clients always want to look their very best, that’s why they come to you — especially on special occasions. By being incredibly clear across your social media profiles and claimed listings that you offer wedding and special event services and have availability around big holidays, you get a leg up on your competition. We know you’re passionate about making people feel special and confident. Be sure to showcase that you’ll be around for their special occasions, and it will pay off online.

Check-In With Your Clients During Their Visits

You’ve heard it before. Check-in with your clients while they’re in the chair. If you just let loose and run with whatever they originally told you they wanted, you’re playing with fire. Asking confirmation questions throughout the appointment can help to ensure that you aren’t losing your way and, likely, getting a scathingly bad review.  Don’t give clients the opportunity to bash you online by not doing your job to the best of your ability.

Get Social

Social media is a salon’s best friend and an invaluable asset for a stellar online reputation. Because it is so visual, social media is a great place to showcase your work, promote specials, and form a community around your salon. A salon with a solid social media presence will come across as hip and professional, which helps tremendously with your overall online reputation. Plus, many social media sites also function as a one-stop-shop for information, as well as a place to leave reviews.

Give Examples of “Before and Afters”

“Before-and-after” photos are the bread and butter of the beauty industry when it comes to online reputation. They provide a visual example of the transformations you’re capable of that can speak much, much louder than a few negative reviews. We highly encourage that you take as many high-quality shots as possible and spread them throughout your claimed listings to attract new clients and come across as professional, talented, and polished online.


Before you can build a stellar online reputation, you need to know where you stand in the first place. We can help with that. Through our proprietary Rating Score™ system, we collect reviews and scores from all over the internet to comprise a cumulative Rating Score that gives you an accurate glimpse into your online reputation, so that you can best handle it. Not only that, but your clients can leave reviews right here on the Top Rated Local site or on our convenient app! Sign up for Top Rated Local today and see what our Rating Score™ system can do for you.

Tips to Keep Your Online Reputation Healthy

Manage and Maintain Your Business’ Healthy Reputation

Any successful business in 2019 knows the importance of a healthy online reputation. An online reputation plays a huge part in the overall success of a business, and for that reason, it’s wise to focus on it when working on your marketing strategy. In this blog, we’ll teach you a few ways to maintain a healthy reputation across the internet for your business. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to boost your online reputation, be sure to read through more of our blogs, like Reputation Management Tips For Local Businesses and The Many Different Kinds of Reviews and How to Respond to Them.

Get The Right Domain

Even if you don’t want a website for your business (you should absolutely have one, but that’s a different blog), you should own all of the web domains that include your business name. Not only does buying these up early ensure that you have options, but it helps to ensure that no one can overcharge you for a domain later on. So many businesses have made the mistake of leaving their best domain names on the table and have had to pay thousands, if not tens or hundreds (in rare cases) of thousands of dollars to claim them later on. You don’t want to be one of those businesses, so snag your rightful domain name while you can.

Utilize Social Media

Social media is an incomparably valuable tool for businesses. Not only can it be a stellar review source, but its main utility is in its name — it’s social. Your customers can recommend you to their friends and build a community around their affinity for your business. After all, people lead their lives on social media now. Why shouldn’t your business be a part of that? Plus, complete and oft-updated profiles are great for SEO (search engine optimization).

Work To Be On Page One of Google

We’re sure you know this already, but it bears repeating. Being on the front page of Google is a goal each and every business should strive for. There’s a good reason web marketing companies are so heavily SEO focused right now  — being on the first page of Google is vital to a business’ success. You can do this by taking an active role in your business’ SEO strategy. 

Blog Your Heart Out

Speaking of “taking an active role in your business’ SEO strategy,” blogging is the number one way to do that. Uploading new and relevant content on a regular basis is the best way to make sure that you are giving it your all to get your business to rank on Google. Always use relevant keywords and category tags, as that will help address the specific questions your target audience is asking their search engines.

Lean On The Professionals

Allocating funds to pay for professional reputation management is a phenomenal choice for any business. Although it certainly pays to be educated about reputation management and take an active role yourself, the professionals have the tools and knowledge the typical business owner simply does not. Seek out a reputation management solution that accommodates you, your schedule, your budget, and your experience.


Want to make your business’ reputation shine online? Sign up for Top Rated Local® today. We collect reviews from all over the internet to come up with a cumulative Rating Score® that gives us an all-over view of what your online reputation really looks like. See what our proprietary Rating Score system can do to help you get a grasp on your overall online reputation.

Colorado’s Top Rated Local® Businesses: 2019

As the home of Top Rated Local®, Colorado and its businesses have a special place in our hearts. That’s why we are so incredibly thrilled to announce our 2019 Top Rated Local award winners for Colorado!

The total number of verified review sites, the average overall star rating a business has on those sites, and the total number of ratings/reviews they have posted on those sites all play a role in the overall Rating Score™ calculation. The more ratings/reviews a business has posted on verified review sites, as well as the higher the average overall star rating, the higher the Rating Score. The highest possible Rating Score is 100.

All of the hard work, time, and passion that has gone into building these Colorado businesses has certainly paid off. This beautiful state has nearly 564,000 small businesses, with nearly one million people employed by these businesses, making this group truly impressive. Our Colorado award winners have earned an average Rating Score of 95.80 and an average rating of 4.87 stars on verified review sites.

The number one business in Colorado for 2019 is Raintree Animal Hospital, who has done such a service to Colorado pets and their parents that they’ve beat 404 other outstanding businesses for the top spot and earned a perfect 100.00 Rating Score!

Congratulations to all of these phenomenal Colorado businesses. And thank you for your continued work and support for your community!

Tips to Optimize Your Site for Voice Search

As virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa become a fixture in our everyday lives, more and more people are utilizing voice search. Just like with any other search, you want your business to be the first one that pops up. The following are some useful tips and tricks that will help you become a favorite of virtual assistants everywhere (or just in your town, depending on your business).

Thoroughness Is Key

You want your listings on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and other sites to be accurate, complete, and identical. Make sure to include all the details you can. That includes your phone number, business hours, website, and location. Search engines are designed to give your customers the best possible result, which means they drastically favor businesses that provide as much information as possible. Don’t forget to keep the information up-to-date, as well!

Figure Out What Your Customers Are Asking

Some voice search systems allow you to ask follow-up questions. Optimize your site and your listings by providing the answers to those questions and not only will it show your customers that you really have it together, but it will help you get more of the right customers.

Focus on Reviews

Google loves it when businesses have great reviews. In fact, they love it so much that it comes into play for both text and voice searches. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on a wide variety of review sites and put a concerted effort into your overall online reputation.

Go Past Just Google

Google is an invaluable tool for businesses, don’t get us wrong. That being said, there are other sites out there that certain voice search systems turn to first. For example, Alexa uses Bing. Foursquare, Yellowpages, and HomeAdvisor are great places to start. Just make sure you cover as much ground as possible with, again, thorough and up-to-date listings.

Don’t Get Too Technical

When you use voice search, do you speak to your device like a robot or like a person? Chances are, it’s the latter. People are incredibly casual when it comes to how they phrase their voice search queries. Because of that, it’s in your best interest to not only utilize SEO keywords, but simple, conversational phrases. It can be particularly helpful to use local dialect when you optimize your site. For example, say you own a grocery store. Depending on where you are in the country, this could be the market, the supermarket, or of course, a grocery store. Phrase your site the way your audience will understand it, and the way they’ll phrase it to their voice search system.

Keep Up With Your Content

All search engine searches prioritize websites that actively add new content. Add original content on a regular basis. This content should be useful and targeted toward your business’ average customer, so that your company will stand out whenever they ask a question about your industry.

Top Rated Local® can help you keep track of all the profiles voice search will scan to figure out whether or not you’re a good fit for a search query. Sign up today and start working on your online reputation!