Your potential customer relies on checking your dealership reviews before making a purchasing decision. 9 out of 10 customers read online reviews before making a purchase decision. In addition, 72% of consumers trust online reviews as much as recommendations from friends and family.

So how can you get a substantial amount of positive reviews? By providing a great experience. Usually the customers who write positive online reviews are because they had a great experience with someone from your team or with their entire experience at your dealership.

If they're extremely pleased with their experience, they will usually invest time into providing positive feedback because they want to express their satisfaction with the product or the customer service they received.

This kind of review could help potential new customers make an informed decision when choosing your dealership versus your competitor. Let's review the benefits of online reviews.

How to Make the Most of Positive Reviews

Positive online reviews can be a great asset for businesses. Here are a few ways to make the most of them

Promote Your Business

One of the most obvious ways to use positive online reviews is to showcase them on your website or social media pages. This can help build trust with potential customers and provide support that others have had a great experience with your business.

Here are some specific examples of how you can showcase positive online reviews:

1. Display them prominently on your website: One way to showcase positive online reviews is to display them prominently on your website. This could mean creating a dedicated page where you highlight the best reviews, or simply including a section on your homepage that features a few select reviews at a time.
   
   
2. Share them on social media: Another way to showcase positive online reviews is to share them on your social media pages. This could mean posting the reviews as standalone posts, or just sharing a screenshot of the review along with a brief comment on it.
   
   
3. Use them in your marketing materials: You can also use positive online reviews in your marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, or advertisements. This could mean including all reviews or highlighting some of your business’ positive customer feedback.
   
   
4. Mention them in your email newsletters: If you have an email newsletter, you can also use positive online reviews in your newsletters. This could mean featuring a review in each newsletter.
   
   
5. Include them in your stores: Identify a high-traffic area in each of your locations where you can showcase your positive online presence if the space allows. Alternatively, you can display them near the checkout area. You can display the reviews on posters or signage, or simply bring them to the attention of customers when they come into the store.

Overall, the key is to be creative and find ways to showcase the positive feedback you have received in a way that can provide an impact to your business and your customers. The hard work is already done: you provided excellent service, the customer provided positive feedback, and the only step left is to share it with the world!

Connect with your Customers

Responding to positive online reviews is important because it helps to reinforce positive experiences and can encourage customers to continue doing business with you. When you receive a positive online review, take the time to respond to it. Thank the reviewer for their feedback and let them know that you appreciate their support. This can help strengthen your relationship with your customers and show that you value their opinions.

Here are some tips on how to respond to positive online reviews:

1. Start with a thank you: Begin your response by thanking the reviewer for taking the time to share their positive experience.
   
   
2. Personalize your response: Address the reviewer by name and mention something specific about their experience that you appreciated.
   
   
3. Express your appreciation: Let the reviewer know that their feedback is valuable to you and that you appreciate their business.
   
   
4. Highlight your commitment: Reaffirm your commitment to providing excellent service or products and let the reviewer know that you are looking forward to serving them again.
   
   
5. Invite them back: Encourage the reviewer to visit again and offer any promotions or discounts that may be relevant to them.

Remember to keep your responses personal, concise, and professional. By responding to positive reviews, you not only show appreciation for your customers but also reinforce your commitment to providing excellent service.

Improve Business Processes

In addition to promoting your business, positive online reviews can also be a valuable source of feedback. Use them to identify areas where your business is excelling, and to identify areas where you can improve. This can help you make adjustments to provide an even better experience for your customers.

We had the opportunity to chat with Rob Durham, Vice President of Human Resources and Marketing, for Lakeside International Trucks about his experience leveraging positive reviews to improve business processes in the dealership, and this is what he shared with us:

Finally, don't be afraid to ask your customers to leave reviews. Let them know how much you value their feedback and that it would be appreciated if they could take a few minutes to write a review. This can help increase the number of positive reviews you receive and provide even more opportunities to promote your business.

Want to learn more about how to take control of your online reputation? Start by finding out what your online reputation is today.