How to get more testimonials for your business
Testimonials are one of the best ways to get social proof. They help to build trust, attract customers and increase conversions. Google reviews can help businesses improve their local rankings, i.e, local results that appear for people who search for businesses and places near their location such as “restaurants near me”.
91% of millennials trust online reviews as much as friends and family (1) and 72% of customers won’t act until they read some reviews (2). The question is, how do we ask for reviews without sounding pushy? Here are our top 5 ways to get more testimonials.
1. Do a good job
It goes without saying, but don’t expect a testimonial if your work is sub par, late or otherwise low quality. If something has gone wrong, ask for feedback and perhaps save your testimonial request for next time.
2. Ask Immediately
Ask immediately after finishing your project for a client (if service based) or after purchase (if product based). If your work is ongoing, use a key milestone to set a reasonable time frame to ask for a testimonial. Why? You will be fresh in their mind, and they will be more likely to give you that all important testimonial.
3. Send a survey
Send out a survey to your customer base by email or weblink. Some good sites you can use to easily make your own surveys are Survey Monkey and Typeform. Not only will this give your business a chance for some valuable feedback, but you can also ask for a testimonial. Use a suggestions like, “Would you mind giving my site a short testimonial.” Remember, the biggest obstacles to your customers giving you a testimonial is time and not knowing what to say. Help them out by suggesting some qualities or even drafting sentences!
4. Make a competition
Remember that survey you sent? (or are about to send!) Why not turn it into a chance to win? Ask clients to fill in all fields to be in the draw to win something! It could be your product or service, or even a small gift card.
5. A social post asking for reviews
Website and Google reviews are not the only sources of testimonials out there. Social media reviews can be invaluable. Ask your customers to leave a Facebook review, or create an Instagram highlight to save reviews. You can also repost your customers using your product or service, especially if they have positive things to say! Encourage this with branded hashtags and by reposting user-generated content. Also consider other sites which may be important to your industry, such as Tripadvisor, Yelp or Amazon reviews.
(1) https://www.brightlocal.com/research/google-reviews-study/#number-of-reviews
(2) https://mytestimonialengine.com/how-reviews-affect-purchasing-decisions-and-seo/
