Today’s consumer is more informed than ever before. Before committing to a brand, they take their time to gather useful information by going online and reading reviews to understand what others are saying about that particular company.
Online reviews and feedback that real consumers provide about your business are critical. This valuable information carries considerable weight, as what is said about your company can have a significant impact on how prospects receive your brand.
Reviews, or social proof, offer consumers pertinent details about your company before they commit to buying. So, maintaining a superior reputation and demonstrating positive social proof of your brand is imperative.
What is Social Proof?
Social proof, as coined by Robert Cialdini, references our willingness to look to others to determine acceptable behaviors. Although we are all individuals who have the capacity to think and operate autonomously, many are drawn to replicate the behaviors and actions of others, especially when they are performed by people we look up to or trust.
Concerning marketing, the premise of social proof remains the same. However, it specifically refers to validation of your brand’s value or popularity as proven by clients and their support of your company. People who are new to your brand will be swayed or influenced by the behaviors of others. So, if your brand is highly regarded by consumers online such as influencers, friends, family, or other trusted people, that new consumer will be more inclined to follow suit.
Why is Reputation Management Crucial?
With the prevalence of social media, online forums, and the willingness of consumers to express their opinion of a company on these platforms, social proof is becoming even more relevant. Social proof has the capacity to make or break a company, as what others have to say either encourages or discourages someone to support a business. If enough people give the “thumbs down,” it could be fatal.
Reputation management can help with social proof as it attempts to manage or structure the information presented online about a company. This can be achieved by having open channels that allow consumers and company representatives to speak freely. Similarly, being transparent, monitoring social media channels, as well as being open to feedback and willing to respond promptly by engaging in conversation despite the criticism is crucial.
B2B and B2C organizations can benefit from social proof and reputation management. Client reviews have the capacity to distinguish companies from their competitors. They offer a cost-efficient approach to marketing, aid in building trust, and encourage business transactions.
How Can You Monitor Reviews?
Grade.us is a review management software that helps increase customer reviews, monitor them, and alerts you of any issues, all while presenting only the best appearance of your company.
According to data by Grade.us, 93% of consumers check online reviews at least some of the time before they make a purchase. This finding implies that consumer reviews play an essential role in the buying behavior of consumers.
Feedback on your company website, online discussion forums, and social media sites all play a role in a consumer’s decision to support your brand. So now more than ever, you need to manage what’s out there.
Wild Coffee Marketing Understands the Importance of Social Proof
Here at Wild Coffee Marketing, we take a unique approach to advertising. For this reason, we proudly offer a range of services for businesses seeking to elevate their social proof and manage how their company is perceived online. We include reputation management, competitive research, and other pertinent elements in our plans to advance your company. For more information on how we can help you, consider reviewing our services and plans.