Online testimonials, reviews and comments provide a connection

We all go blurry-eyed from the endless hours of staring at the computer screen, as we’re on autopilot surfing and searching for things on the internet which we are interested in, or not, as is often the case. We become impressed with how we’re starting to get used to all this surfing malarkey and how we can type and text without looking at the keys that we’re pushing.

Little do we realise waht we’re tpying is worng but it seems to raed rihgt......

Even the old codgers, business and otherwise are getting in on the keyboard finger-tapping act, doing away with their stylish Parker pens and conqueror brilliant white pieces of paper.

Never before has it been easier to get a message out into the ether - especially in regards to testimonials and reviews of other people, businesses, services and products.

Testimonials and Reviews? ..........” What’s the point of these”- you may ask...!

Well....Online testimonials, reviews and comments, are an easily accessible way to connect and allow new and existing businesses and consumers to tap into the experiences of others. Positive testimonials and reviews can increase enquiries and sales; negative testimonials and reviews can decrease enquiries and sales.

If you’ve never before thought about or have and then dismissed the use of testimonials and reviews then don’t underestimate the power which they may hold from this day onwards.

Latest figures are suggesting that by 2012 out of every £50 spent on sales £10 of which will be spent online.

Taking that as an example, exactly what would drive these people to spend online? Or even connect online and then look to spend direct?

The fact that they can only view on screen; what would scream or shout out to them whether what their looking at is worth adding to the basket and then continuing to the checkout, or making contact to make an enquiry with a local business?

Part of the answer, although not necessarily all the answers is testimonials and reviews, other reasons would be they’ve physically seen or had experience of the service or product before, or they have been connected, or referred by someone else.

The use online of testimonials and reviews depending on how the website is set up, can serve a dual purpose, both for the business receiving the review, as well as for the business or person leaving the review.

As the aim for many for online awareness is backlinks and keywords - testimonials and reviews can help provide this as well as champion local business. That said you have to bear in mind that people aren’t stupid and they’ll know and recognise such testimonials and reviews which have been contrived or created by a growing number of tight-knit business circles.

The fact is that online testimonials and reviews and even blog comments can provide an extremely good way to serve a dual purpose, and with this in mind ‘Connect WM’ has developed additions to its site, one of which is now allowing members to be able to submit reviews against members listings.