RatePoint: First impressions formed online, before visiting in-store
Merchants, listen up. If you’re hoping to make a great first impression by having great curb appeal or friendly in-store staff, you’re not going far enough. Data from RatePoint finds that first impressions are now served up online – through review sites – rather than through your front door.
“Our data clearly shows online reviews are the new way consumers validate a local business before they will set foot inside,” said Keith Cooper, CEO of RatePoint. “Local businesses need to proactively collect and showcase feedback from their satisfied customers. Those who do will be in a much stronger position to gain new business and future revenue directly from online reviews.”
RatePoint’s new Review Report may help local businesses make that good first impression. The platform gathers online ratings and reviews about businesses, allowing them to ‘see’ how they’re doing. Clients can also compare their ratings with local competitors. From there, it is easy enough to create a strategy for improvement.