Why online reviews are the new word of mouth

According to a report by Infusionsoft, customer referrals and word of mouth marketing are the most effective marketing strategy for small businesses.

Consumers are always looking for validation from their family and friends that they are making the right decision and recommendations do just that. The problem for dealerships is the reach of a customer’s word of mouth is only as far as that individual’s personal network, or at least it used to be.

Now with the proliferation of online review sites, a customer referral can reach thousands of potential customers it wouldn’t have in the past. That’s why dealerships should shift their focus from cultivating offline word of mouth and instead encourage customers to leave reviews online.

Consumer trust

At first, it might seem strange that a star rating and words on a screen could have as much sway as a recommendation from someone you actually know, but it’s true. A study by BrightLocal found that 80% of consumers surveyed trusted online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Online research has now become the norm. People now spend hours of time reading about products and services online before actually making a purchase. We are now living in a ROBO economy, which means consumers research online and buy offline. That’s why it is important for even small businesses to cultivate a robust online presence, so when consumers inevitably look you up online they won’t be left wanting.

Join Podium and AutoTalk on May 2nd for a FREE webinar to learn why online reviews are the new word of mouth and how they will help your business stand out from the crowd and ultimately influence purchase decisions.

Key takeaways include: How online reviews impact local search ranking, which online review sites are best for your dealership, and tips and tricks for collecting 100s of reviews