Simple yet effective

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/01/2024 (629 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Marketing managers and small business owners face a consistent challenge — how can they get more awareness and customers with limited budgets? There’s only so much that digital ads, radio reads or physical billboards can do. And all come with a price tag. These professionals are constantly tasked to think outside the box to make the most of the resources they have.

What’s often overlooked is business reviews. This seemingly small avenue goes a long way. According to Invesp, up to 90 per cent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. And 88 per cent trust those reviews as much as personal recommendations.

With reviews playing such a large role in a company’s success, it only makes sense to list yours with the Better Business Bureau. Doing so is easy and completely free. You do not need to be accredited to have a profile. If your business is not already there, visit bbb.org/get-listed and follow the instructions on screen. If your business spans multiple locations, be sure to list one as the primary then follow up with BBB representatives in the area in which you wish to list.

With millions of reviews moving through the trusted, third-party organization, the BBB website is a prime place to let consumers know what your business stands for, to interact with customers (both good and bad) and to show that you care about making consumers happy.

It’s possible your business is already listed with the BBB. You can claim your business as yours to complete your company’s profile, which will attract more customers. Again, this service is completely free. Simply set your location on bbb.org to ensure you are directed to the right local office, create an account (under “Business Login” at the top of the page). Once you’ve created an account, visit bbb.org/search and look up your business. If yours pops up, click “Is this your business” near the top right corner, then again follow instructions on screen. If you’re not able to claim it, a previous owner of the business may have already done so and you’ll need to reach out directly to your local BBB for help.

Remember, the BBB is all about accountability. The support team will be more than happy to help you, but you may have to provide supporting documents to prove you are who you say and that you do, in fact, run the company in question. While they may seem burdensome, these practices are what encourage consumers to turn to the BBB. The BBB has done the work to ensure consumers are getting the most accurate information possible, a rarity in today’s online world.

Claiming or updating your profile on bbb.org is a simple yet effective way to push your company’s dollars farther, gain and retain customers, and increase brand awareness. Get started now at bbb.org.