Consumer Reviews Freak Businesses Out
Research done by Bazaarvoice and Vizu, the two companies hired to power Wal-Mart’s social-sphere venture, says this about consumer reviews:
- 80% of shoppers have more trust in brands that feature reviews and that 75% of shoppers say it’s extremely or very important to read customer reviews before making a purchase. Peer reviews are preferred over expert reviews by a margin of 6 to 1. (adagemobile)
Stick this in the back of your mind and take a trot around the internet. More companies these days are welcoming customer feedback (not Sprint) and creating online platforms for user reviews. Web browsers (people using the web) are looking for convenience online as well as off. If a site can provide information as well as community, then it’s good to go > or at least live on someone’s toolbar for a while.
The question on companies’ lips is: Will social networking sites make people buy more products? Answer: No, via Jupiter Research. But maybe the question should be: Will social networking sites make my products better, in turn creating greater customer love and loyalty? Consider this: from IT Business Edge:
- “Your customers are out there saying things about you, whether it’s on Yelp or on some blog. The faster you can fix problems, the better you’re going to do. Customer service is the new marketing.” (itbusinessedge)
via PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/consumer-review-freaks-business-out.html#ixzz1Roi3lCoJ
By: Erin Middleton
http://www.psfk.com/2007/08/consumer-review-freaks-business-out.html