Online Reviews in the Uniform Industry

By Meghan Leboff

In today’s high-tech world, the internet reigns supreme. What do we do when we’re interested in purchasing a product or service? Whether it’s a business, a person, or anything else, we log onto the world wide web to decide if it’s worth our money.

That means, when people are looking for linen and uniform services in their area, they’re likely going straight to their favorite search engine to find a provider they think will suit their needs.

First impressions are everything. As a business owner in the linen and uniform industry, you want your company to shine on the web. When a curious prospect searches your name, you want them to find a top-notch, informative website, your contact information front and center, and, without a doubt, positive reviews that assure them your business is the best choice.

Why Reviews Matter 

Imagine that you’re looking for a new restaurant to try. You remember an advertisement for a new cafe that’s right around the corner from your house. You look up their menu, and everything looks delicious. But, then you see it — their reviews.

To your dismay, there are dozens of negative reviews. Some people complain about the food quality, and the restaurant responds a little too defensively. You see a couple of positive reviews as well, but the negative ones have left a sour impression in your mind. As a result, you look for another restaurant.

We’ve all experienced this situation before, and the same scenario could happen with your linen and uniform business. If you have negative reviews, people searching your business’s name may decide to look elsewhere for service. Whether the reviews are accurate or not, they can leave a lasting impact on both prospects and customers alike. Once they feel like they can’t trust your business, it’s extremely difficult to earn that trust back.

Managing Your Online Reviews

It goes without saying that the more positive reviews you have, the better your business will look to prospects. Online reviews come from real people, who are honest and usually unbiased. Even though your website is full of assurances that your company is the best choice, real customers’ feedback can be an even more powerful marketing tool.

Unfortunately, a negative review here and there is inevitable. The best way to manage your online reviews is to be responsive on all of the websites your business could be reviewed on (Google, Yelp, Bing, etc.).

A good first step is to explore each reviewing site. Get familiar with their features, and make sure you have a business account connected to your company’s page so you can respond directly to the reviews.

Engagement is Essential

Google My Business and Yelp are two of the most popular websites for online reviews. You should be checking these platforms regularly, as reviews can come in at any time. Make sure to respond to both positive and negative reviews. Being active online is essential for monitoring reviews and helping customers find solutions quickly and efficiently.

The longer a review sits on the web, the more time it has to be seen. That’s why it’s important to act fast. If the review is positive, thank the customer for their kind words. This simple gesture not only shows that you gave the customer a great experience, but it also shows that you are thankful and appreciative of their business. It’s going the extra mile, and it will not go unnoticed.

If the review is negative, respond to the customer as politely as possible. Yelp isn’t the place to go into extreme detail about the situation, but rather a place for you to offer a solution. You can apologize to the reviewer for their negative experience and offer them to reach out to you directly. Make them feel like their concerns are important to you, and that you’ll do everything in your power to rectify the situation.

Use Reviews to Your Advantage

Your company will get reviews, so why not use them to your benefit? Positive reviews from real people are an excellent marketing tool. Create a section on your website to display positive reviews. Make it flashy and display it somewhere people will see. The home page is a great option.

Additionally, you don’t have to sit back and wait for positive reviews to roll in. Ask your sales reps and delivery drivers to encourage customers to leave reviews. Something as simple as putting “Don’t forget to leave us a review!” on the bottom of customer receipts could help increase positive reviews for your business, especially if they’re genuinely happy with their experience.

You can also incentivize happy customers to leave reviews by offering them something in return. Whether it’s a nice pen with your company’s logo or 5% off their next order, there are endless ways to encourage customers further to leave complimentary reviews.

Work with a Review Management Service

As important as reviews are in today’s market, they’re often not a top priority. In the hustle and bustle of the linen and uniform industry, monitoring reviews on a daily basis is a commonly shelved task. Review monitoring isn’t difficult, but it does consume time depending on how many reviews you receive daily.

Because reviews are so essential, and responding to them quickly is extremely important, it is beneficial to work with a review management service. A review management service will check for reviews multiple times a day from different platforms and notify you when one appears. That way, you can respond directly and quickly without consuming time that should be spent on other aspects of your business. A review management service streamlines the process and allows you to respond to customers quickly and efficiently.

Shine Online with the Power of Positive Reviews

Whether you use a review monitoring service or monitor reviews yourself, this simple strategy will do wonders for your linen and uniform company. By engaging with customers, giving them solutions, understanding their needs, and thanking them for their support, you’re building a positive online image that will only increase business in the long run.

Ultimately, reviews are important because they connect you directly to your customers. They allow you to build relationships and learn from mistakes. They are not only a great marketing tool, but an opportunity to learn, grow, and make your linen and uniform business the best that it can be.

Contact:
Infinite Laundry
(888) 557-0262
info@infinitelaundry.com