Why Writing Reviews is a Great Way to Support Local Businesses

Looking for a way to support the local businesses you love?

It’s no secret that small businesses have been hit hard by the coronavirus — and the social distancing requirements necessary to prevent it from spreading. Some small businesses have been able to remain open by changing the way they serve their customers, but others have had to temporarily close their doors completely.

There are lots of ways that you can lend financial support to the local businesses you love. This may include purchasing gift cards, pre-paying for future appointments, and ordering take-out or delivery from restaurants. But, what if your budget doesn’t allow you to financially support the local businesses you love?

There’s one surefire way to support your favorite local businesses without having to spend a dime — write reviews! How does writing reviews benefit the business you love?

5 Ways Writing Reviews Can Impact Local Businesses

#1. It will help them stand out online.

Thanks to the quarantine much of the country is under stay at home orders and lots of people are now online a lot more than they used to be. That means many businesses are also online, which means that your favorite local businesses have a great deal of competition online. A lot of people are under the misconception that all a business needs to be competitive online is a website, but that’s just not the case. The good news, though, is that writing reviews is a great way to help your favorite local businesses stand out online.

The first thing a consumer does when researching a local business online is to look at its reviews. If a business has lots of five-star reviews and a decent overall star average, it helps to build trust and credibility. You can help by writing your own review of your past experience!

#2. It will help them be more visible online.

The most affordable way for a business to be visible online is to show up on page one of the organic search results. Otherwise, that business has to spend money on paid search ads, which can be expensive and especially difficult for businesses facing budgetary issues. Luckily, writing a review can actually help your favorite local business rank higher in the organic search results.

Google’s search ranking algorithm is a multi-faceted, ever-changing beast, but one thing has always remained the same — reviews have always been an important part of it. Think about it, if 10 businesses describe themselves as “the best plumber in Denver,” it doesn’t mean much, but when multiple customers say that about a business in its reviews, it really means something to consumers, and therefore, to Google. By reviewing your favorite local businesses, you can actually help them to be more visible online.

#3. It helps them better serve you.

There are a lot of great reasons to stick with your favorite local businesses, even though they may not be perfect. After all, no one is perfect, but if a business has proven to you that they care and are willing to do what it takes to provide you with a good experience, I’d say that they’re worth it. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t give them feedback.

Five-star reviews are great for any business, but they’re not always indicative of your experience, and that’s OK. You should never lie about your experience with a business, even if you think it will help them. Believe it or not, even a one-star review can help your favorite local business. It may not do much for their average star rating, but it allows you to give them feedback they can use to get better. Plus, when they reach out to you to make it right, you can always go back and revise your star rating and even your review.

#4. It informs other consumers about your experience.

Did you know that most consumers these days trust online reviews written by complete strangers just as much as they trust a personal recommendation from a friend or family member? Surprisingly enough, reviews have become the modern-day version of word of mouth, and by writing your own, you can inform others about your experience.

Reviews aren’t meant to be a platform for venting frustrations or giving undue praise. At the heart of reviews, they’re about sharing your real experience with a business that can inform others of the experience they’re likely to have. If you’ve had a good experience with a local business (or several good experiences) in the past, sharing that experience will absolutely help them perform better online and drum up more business.

#5. It leads to more sales!

When someone reads a business’ reviews, not only are they looking for a good overall average star rating and plenty of five-star reviews, they’re also looking for current reviews. It doesn’t matter if a business has hundreds or even thousands of reviews, if those reviews are months old, they won’t help all that much.

Writing reviews right now will help the local businesses you love remain relevant online, because it helps to keep their reviews current. Not only does this help a business be more visible online and build more trust with potential customers, it will also lead directly to more sales. As much as 63 percent of consumers are more likely to actually make a purchase if the site has current rankings.


Start reviewing your favorite local businesses with Top Rated Local® today!

If you’re not in the position right now to support your favorite local businesses, that’s OK. You’re not alone, and there’s no need to skip your rental payment or electricity bill in order to support the local businesses you love. In fact, you can make an impact just by writing a review.

Support the local businesses that make your community what it is by writing reviews on Top Rated Local today!