For local businesses, staying ahead of the competition can be challenging. Ensuring your business continues to capture the local market is crucial to its sustenance and growth. So, how does your business thrive in a highly competitive local market?
The answer is to leverage the power of online reviews for local businesses.
So, what are online reviews and why do they matter?
Online reviews are testimonials or comments from users of your business products or services that are posted on online platforms. These reviews are genuine comments or feedback from customers who have tried or tested your business brand.
It is an effective local SEO strategy that can boost visibility and drive sales for your business. In fact, online reviews can make or break your business. That is why it is essential to positively leverage the power of online reviews for local SEO to catapult your business to greater heights.
The importance of online reviews for Local SEO for small businesses in Toronto
Small businesses in Toronto have an uphill task of keeping up with tough competition. Customer reviews are an effective method of staying ahead of the competition. In fact, a 2023 survey by Power Reviews reveals that more than 93% of consumers rely heavily on online reviews before proceeding to invest in a product or service. Therefore, the power of online reviews cannot be undermined. Further online reviews for local SEO for small businesses are crucial for several reasons including:
Builds credibility
Positive online reviews from customers are a great local SEO strategy. It not only builds trust with customers but also enhances the brand’s credibility in public. For example, between the choices of two similar products from two different sources, a customer would prefer the product that has positive reviews over the product that has no reviews. So, that is why, online reviews for local SEO for small businesses in Toronto are crucial.
Online reviews boost local search ratings
Google algorithms crawl websites before ranking them. These algorithms consider certain factors to rank a website. Positive online reviews, frequency of reviews, and genuineness of reviews are just some of the metrics to rank a website. Therefore, genuine positive online reviews boost local search ratings. Also, Google detects proactive businesses. So, it is important to respond to customer reviews.
Click Through Rate
Backlinko’s statistical research reveals that ranking on top of the SERP generates more than 39.8% Click-Through Rates. So, with Google considering online reviews to rank your website, it also means that online reviews boost click-through Rates.
More sales and increased profits
An increase in click-through rates leads to a possibility of more conversions and consequently increased sales and profits for your business. Therefore, online reviews as a local SEO strategy are undoubtedly a winning approach.
How can you get more online reviews?
V Code IT Solutions is a leading digital marketing company offering local SEO services for small businesses in Canada. We go to lengths to obtain online reviews for our clients. As part of our services, we encourage customers to write reviews. We also manage and monitor reviews. We respond to reviews to engage customers and personalize interactions.
Contact V Code IT Solutions for local SEO strategies in Canada.
Also check: SEO vs PPC: What Works Best for Toronto Businesses?