Yelp: Why this Review Service is More Important than Ever for Businesses

This past year, Social Media Today reported that Yelp had emerged as the leading consumer review site for real-world business fronts. In 2010 Yelp traffic grew around 75% in the first quarter alone, and the company is now receiving high priority from Google Search Engine results making it the first result many users see when typing in the address of a restaurant or store front.

Business owners greatly benefit when their location is claimed on Yelp. Claiming a location allows the business to personalize their Yelp page in a number of ways.

1. Updating Specific Business Details – Users of Yelp and similar services want information that is current and accurate. For example, opening and closing times are often the most sought out information on a restaurant’s page, but end up being the least readily available as well.
2. Offering Promotions or Announcements – A business owner should always strive to create a personal connection between him/her and his/her customers. Yelp allows business owners to set up special promotions or announcements so as to reward users for using the service and to build future loyalty.
3. Review Alerts – A claimed business on Yelp will receive notifications of new reviews straight to the owner’s inbox, allowing these individuals to quickly reply to reviews and consider them in moving forward with their business.
4. Messaging Reviewers – This is one of the greatest benefits business owners acquire after claiming their company on Yelp. This feature allows the owner to directly or publicly reply to people who have left reviews or comments on their site. Once again, this allows the business owner to establish a personal connection and build loyalty with past customers.
5. Viewing Location From a Dashboard – For every business a business owner claims, they will be provided with a Dashboard. This is a convenient component, which includes, the summary (number of page views), offers and announcements for the current location, easy editing for business information, the opportunity to upload professional photos (as opposed to those provided by past customers either by smart phones or other cameras), and a summation of all messages sent to reviewers.

Yelp is quickly outgrowing its competitors by offering a user-friendly, community-based website. It is the number one website consumers use to read and review local businesses such as store fronts and restaurants. Blog What? Design recognizes the growing importance of Yelp for local business owners, and integrates Yelp management within our social media packages. Feel free to contact us today for a quote.