Do you know what customers are saying about your business online?

 Online reviews can have a significant impact on your business. In fact, the majority of consumers rely on online reviews before making a purchase decision. Maintaining a positive online reputation on sites like Google, Yelp and Facebook is something your business can’t afford to ignore. 

97% of consumers search for local businesses online. 

86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses. 

78% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. 

57% of consumers will only use a business if it has four or more stars. 

According to a Harvard Study, a one-star increase in your Yelp rating can lead to a 9% increase in revenue. 

Meanwhile, a one-star decrease in your overall Yelp rating could lead to a 5% loss in revenue. 

Not only does having a high star rating encourage people to use your product or service, maintaining a positive online reputation is a great way to rank higher on search results. Search Engines favor businesses with higher star ratings to determine which websites are the most authoritative and relevant for answering a search query. Regularly check your reviews and make sure to respond to them quickly, whether they are good or bad.

A few tips to increase your website's ranking on the search engines

At Martinez Site Design, we do not believe in THE perfect website. Instead, we believe that a great website should change with time. The internet is changing faster than ever before, and so are the search engines. Here are some tips to improve your website and help increase your website's ranking:

-Use transparent, core keywords at the start of your Title Tag; keep it simple but enticing for your customers.

-Your Meta Description should feature similar core keywords while sending the message of what your business is all about.

-Upload images with a description of precisely what they are; for example, "dog at the beach."

-Have a responsive design versus a separate mobile design.

-Make your business logo a link to your homepage for easy navigation through your website.

-Redirect your HTTP pages to HTTPS after you purchase your SSL Certificate.

You don't need to OWN a business to BE in business

Many professionals can benefit from having a website even if they don't own the company they are working for. These individuals are called Independent Contractors. They include massage therapists, tutors, personal trainers, real estate agents, counselors/therapists, tattoo artists, doctors, attorneys, tax consultants, even your barber/hairstylist cutting your hair every month. The list goes on and on...

So, what value does a website bring these people?

-A well-designed website helps build credibility in your products or services. An online website is a great medium to show local customers what you are capable of.

-A well-designed website separates you from the competition. When shopping for a product or service online, you are more likely to choose the option with the best-looking website, the best reviews, and the most relevant information to what you are looking for.

-A well-designed website makes you available 24/7/365. If a potential customer is browsing online for your product or services after business hours, a website keeps them connected to you by displaying prices, hours, location, and contact information.

In conclusion, a well-designed website allows you to market yourself by being "findable" online and stay ahead with top search engine results keeping you engaged with your local market. This can help increase repeat business and referrals, driving overall growth simply by being where your customers are online.