Are you capturing and leveraging online customer reviews to their full potential? Discover how review and reputation management can transform your business, turning customer feedback into your competitive advantage.
Online reviews and reputation can have a significant impact on businesses across all sectors, whether B2C, B2B, or B2B2C—and irrespective of size or geographical reach.
The visibility of customer reviews across key sites and platforms like Google Business Profile, Facebook business pages, and the Better Business Bureau significantly influences reputation across industries.
For B2C companies, review platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Angie’s List are household names. Yet, B2B organizations aren’t left behind, with key review sites such as GlassDoor, Capterra, Clutch, G2, and TrustRadius playing pivotal roles in shaping a company’s online reputation.
Apart from reputation, reviews have a significant impact on sales and revenue. Studies have shown that most B2B buyers use review sites.
According to Clutch, 94% of B2B buyers have used an online review when making purchase decisions. The 2023 G2 Buyer Behavior Report also revealed that 84% of B2B buyers use review sites.
Your company’s presence or absence on these platforms can significantly impact your reputation and growth trajectory.
In this article, we will explore 15 ways that online review and reputation management can impact the success of your B2B company, including:
As a business leader, you’ve worked hard to build a strong reputation, offer excellent products and services, and develop a loyal customer base. However, have you ever wondered if your online customer reviews accurately represent your business?
Online reviews are crucial in shaping a business’s reputation and influencing purchasing decisions. Unfortunately, many business leaders tend to overlook this essential feedback channel. They may not be aware of what customers are saying about their company, products, and services online, how this impacts their offline and online reputation, or how to effectively capture and leverage this feedback for growth.
Moreover, they may not realize just how much their current and potential clients rely on these reviews when making purchase decisions. They might notice that their competitors are getting a lot of customer reviews and wonder why, despite having a satisfied customer base, their own company isn’t receiving the same level of praise online.
Does this situation sound familiar to you?
Managing online reviews and reputation isn’t just about responding to criticism. Instead, reviews can be a valuable asset for growth, customer engagement, and much more. Here are 15 ways.
B2B companies rely heavily on online customer reviews to build trust and credibility with potential customers. Positive feedback showcases previous clients’ satisfaction and reinforces the company’s reliability.
By engaging with reviews—whether positive or negative—companies will demonstrate a commitment to their customers’ satisfaction and a willingness to address concerns, further enhancing trustworthiness and credibility. This active engagement not only helps in building a solid business reputation but also strengthens customer relationships based on transparency and responsiveness.
Positive reviews can have a significant impact on a company’s offline and online reputation. They act as powerful endorsements of the unique value propositions and superior quality of its products or services. This contributes to a positive public perception of the brand.
On the other hand, negative reviews should be viewed as an opportunity for growth and engagement, rather than a setback. They provide a platform for a company to demonstrate its commitment to excellence and attentive customer service. By responding to negative feedback with constructive solutions and genuine dedication to resolving issues, a brand can showcase its resilience and dedication to customer satisfaction.
Taking a proactive and responsive approach to review and reputation management sets a B2B company apart from its competitors. It reinforces its reputation as a customer-focused and continuously improving entity.
Online reviews play a significant role in the decision-making process of B2B buyers. They act as social proof, providing evidence of the satisfaction and success of other companies with your products or services.
Four and five-star reviews serve as external validation of your positive reputation, strengthening buyers’ confidence in your offerings and signaling that they are trustworthy and effective. These endorsements highlight your product’s ability to meet specific business and industry needs.
Online reviews significantly impact B2B buyers’ decision-making process. They directly influence their perceptions and choices, bridging the gap between skepticism and trust. Positive client reviews can make the process smoother by showcasing the positive experiences of peers in the industry.
According to a study by G2, 92% of B2B buyers are more likely to make a purchase after reading a trusted review. This highlights the power of positive feedback in fostering favorable opinions and significantly boosting the likelihood of a purchase.
A Forrester report further emphasizes the importance of quality reviews in shaping purchase intent for B2B buyers. Specifically, reviews that detail specific experiences and value delivered are most impactful.
On the other hand, negative reviews can lead businesses to reconsider their buying decisions, potentially leading them to seek alternative solutions. This is why it is crucial for B2B companies to actively manage reviews and online reputation. Highlighting positive experiences and addressing negative feedback constructively can help guide the decision-making process towards favorable outcomes.
B2B companies can benefit from online customer reviews to set themselves apart from their competitors. They can:
By using genuine reviews and leveraging customer review websites, including google reviews and other review site platforms, businesses can stand out, attract more customers, and gather more reviews, ultimately improving their online reputation.
Furthermore, monitoring competitor reviews can offer valuable insights. Analyzing competitor feedback can help B2B companies identify gaps in the market and develop strategies to position themselves more effectively against their competitors.
Before a B2B buyer reaches out to your company, they’ve already gone on a long journey.
According to Gartner research, B2B buyers complete approximately 60% of their buying process before they have a single conversation with a supplier.
A crucial part of this process is reading online customer reviews, which are an essential search metric. As a result, having a strong review profile is critical.
B2B companies can improve their online presence and search engine rankings by effectively managing their Google Business profile and presence on online review websites. Search engines take into account the number and quality of reviews when determining search rankings. Companies that have a higher volume of positive customer testimonials and reviews are more likely to rank higher in search results, which can help attract potential customers.
Moreover, reviews generate fresh and relevant user-generated content, which is highly valued by search engines. The use of keywords and phrases by customers in their reviews can further enhance B2B SEO efforts. By encouraging customers to leave reviews and responding to them, B2B companies can improve their online visibility and attract a larger audience.
B2B companies can substantially enhance their brand visibility and awareness by effectively utilizing reviews. Clients leaving reviews on various platforms can contribute to the overall online presence of a brand. Positive testimonials and reviews generate buzz and word-of-mouth recommendations, attracting potential customers who may not have previously known about the brand.
Furthermore, reviews can be shared and promoted on social media channels, which further amplifies brand visibility. Favorable reviews shared on social platforms can reach a broader audience, create a positive impression of the brand, lead to increased awareness, and generate potential business opportunities.
B2B companies can benefit greatly from using online reviews to boost their lead generation. Positive reviews serve as recommendations from satisfied customers, which can significantly influence the decision-making process of potential buyers. When potential clients read excellent reviews about a B2B company, they are more likely to consider doing business with them and become interested in the products or services they offer.
Moreover, reviews can act as a form of word-of-mouth marketing. Customers who leave positive ratings may recommend the B2B company to their peers and colleagues, thereby expanding the company’s reach and generating more leads. By actively managing and leveraging reviews, B2B companies can drive lead generation and attract a steady stream of potential clients.
Leveraging online reviews and managing your online reputation can significantly improve marketing ROI by providing critical insights that refine marketing strategies. Customer feedback gathered from reviews helps companies to refine their messaging, tailor their content marketing efforts and enhance their targeting precision in campaigns. This leads to more effective marketing outcomes.
Reviews provide a dual advantage: they offer feedback on products and services and provide insights into brand perception. This rich data allows businesses to align their strategies more accurately with customer expectations and preferences.
By strategically incorporating customer insights into marketing initiatives, companies can significantly increase the efficiency and impact of their marketing investments and achieve improved ROI.
B2B companies can drive conversions and sales by effectively using reviews and optimizing their online reputation.
Positive ratings serve as compelling endorsements, effectively persuading potential buyers of the product’s or service’s value and reliability. The firsthand experiences shared in these reviews can significantly increase trust, pushing prospects closer to a purchase decision.
Furthermore, reviews play a critical role in mitigating doubts and addressing any potential objections a buyer might have. By showcasing how previous customers’ concerns were resolved or how their needs were met, companies can eliminate purchase barriers.
This strategic use of positive feedback not only enhances trust but also directly boosts conversion rates by converting hesitation into action, resulting in increased sales.
By actively managing their online reputation and reviews, B2B companies can shorten their sales cycles.
When potential clients read positive customer reviews about a company, it helps to build trust and confidence in the company’s offerings. This, in turn, can shorten the time it takes for potential customers to make a purchasing decision, as they are more likely to feel confident in their choice.
Additionally, online business reviews provide valuable insights into the experiences of past customers, addressing common questions and concerns. This information can help potential clients make more informed decisions and speed up the sales process.
B2B companies can increase their chances of winning over customers by using online reviews strategically.
Research by the Spiegel Research Center reveals that nearly 95% of B2B buyers read online reviews before deciding to make a purchase. Favorable reviews from satisfied customers not only establish the credibility of a company but also serve as a strong indicator of its success and reliability.
Additionally, according to a report by G2, 90% of B2B buyers are more likely to make a purchase decision after reading a favorable review.
By proactively managing their online reputation and reviews, B2B companies effectively address and preempt common objections or concerns that potential customers may have. Engaging with reviews by providing thoughtful solutions or clarifications demonstrates the company’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. This engagement can decisively influence purchasing decisions.
Furthermore, showcasing a high volume of positive feedback on review sites, their own website, an social media properties can help B2B companies stand out from the competition, thereby increasing their chances of winning over customers.
Implementing a robust online review management and marketing strategy ensures that these valuable customer endorsements are at the forefront, persuading potential clients to choose their products or services over others in the market.
B2B companies can harness the power of reviews and reputation to significantly boost customer satisfaction and retention. By carefully listening to feedback and addressing the concerns or issues mentioned in reviews, companies can demonstrate their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous growth. Additionally, utilizing online reviews in a constructive manner can help companies to:
By prioritizing client feedback and making it a cornerstone of their business strategy, B2B companies not only uplift their customer service but also cultivate a culture of excellence that resonates with their clientele.
Improving customer retention leads to greater profitability. In fact, a classic report from Harvard Business Review suggested that increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by 25%-95%.
Favorable reviews can attract new customers, drive more sales, and increase revenue. Customers are more likely to choose a B2B partner with higher ratings, leading to a larger customer base and higher profitability.
Moreover, online reviews can help reduce B2B marketing and advertising expenses for businesses. They act as free advertising and can generate word-of-mouth referrals, saving B2B companies the expenses associated with traditional marketing channels.
By actively managing and leveraging online reviews, B2B companies can improve their profitability and achieve sustainable growth.
Online reviews and reputation have become crucial factors in the competitive world of talent acquisition and retention. Platforms such as Glassdoor and LinkedIn have a significant impact on the appeal of a company to top talent.
A report by CareerArc found that 55% of job seekers who read a negative review decide against applying for a position at the company in question.
This underscores the importance of favorable reviews in the recruitment process, as candidates prioritize companies that demonstrate a commitment to workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and professional growth opportunities.
Online reviews have a deeper impact beyond recruitment, influencing employee retention as well. Positive client and employee reviews elevate employees’ sense of pride and validation, leading to increased engagement and loyalty.
Conversely, companies with negative reviews face challenges in not only attracting new talent but also retaining their existing workforce, as employees may be influenced by the negative perception of the company in the market and explore alternative employment options.
For employers and staffing firms, proactively managing their online reputation and encouraging employees to share their positive experiences on sites like GlassDoor can lead to substantial improvements in their ability to attract and retain high-quality talent.
Furthermore, emphasizing transparency and responsiveness to feedback, businesses can cultivate a compelling employer brand that resonates with both prospective and current employees, thereby sharpening their competitive edge in the talent marketplace.
For these reasons and more, it’s well worth the time and effort invested into managing your customer reviews and online reputation effectively. Many businesses make the mistake of taking a passive approach, hoping that favorable reviews will appear on their own.
However, a high number of reviews from satisfied customers isn’t an accident. It’s the result of careful review management processes and targeted efforts.
For B2B companies to fully reap the benefits of online reviews, effective online review management is critical. Managing reviews involves actively encouraging, monitoring, and responding to reviews, both positive and negative, in a professional and timely manner.
By sending review requests and quickly responding to reviews, B2B companies can:
Online reviews and reputation have a significant impact on the success of B2B companies. They play a crucial role in building trust, enhancing brand reputation, providing social proof, and influencing decision-making.
Additionally, they improve a company’s positioning against competitors, boost online visibility, increase brand awareness, and drive lead generation. Effective management of these reviews is equally important, as it helps to maximize their benefits.
By actively engaging with reviews and leveraging the valuable insights they provide, B2B companies can foster positive relationships with their customers, enhance their reputation and credibility, boost conversion rates, accelerate sales cycles, and improve customer (and employee) satisfaction and retention. Ultimately, this leads to increased profitability.
Take the next step towards optimizing your reviews and online reputation today. Contact Boundless Marketing to discover how our specialized review and reputation management and services can help you capture more five-star reviews, drive your business forward, improve your marketing ROI, and turn customer feedback into your most powerful asset.
B2B companies can encourage customers to leave reviews by making the process easy and accessible, offering incentives when appropriate, and directly asking for feedback after a positive interaction or successful project completion.
B2B companies can leverage positive reviews by featuring them in case studies, testimonials, and social proof on their website, social media channels, and marketing materials. They can also leverage them in sales discussions and presentations to build credibility.
Lori Angalich is a B2B marketing leader and business strategist with over two decades of experience steering successful marketing initiatives at growth-focused technology companies. She's adept at aligning marketing strategies and tactics with business goals, helping companies stand out in highly-competitive markets, and is committed to helping companies make the most of marketing resources and investments. Her approach is results-focused and strategic — but also deeply human, focusing on building relationships and delivering exceptional value through marketing.