Yelp
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 Yelp is an online guide that reviews all sorts of local businesses and services in the United States and Canada. Its reviews are obtained from people’s opinions and personal experiences with any kind of business establishment or event, which are then compiled, organized and published.
Unlike other websites that review only a few certain categories - on this progressive site its subscribers can review and read about a wide array of markets from restaurants to health and medical services, education to professional services, real estate, pets and even religious organizations. Subscribers are bound to find something or some place to review and read about.
Features for Business Owners
Another cool and useful feature is what is called “Yelp for Business Owners”. When someone reviews a certain business on the website, the business owner can claim their “business page” that enables the owner to communicate with his reviewers and track his online reputation on the site. The customers get their say and the business owners get their feedback.
How does it Work?
Reviews are from real people. That would be real patrons who have been to a certain business establishment or have received a certain service. These reviewers have to be “yelpers” or members, which is easily done by creating a free account. The online reputation of a business on this site is based on the written reviews of its members, and these are shown on the profiles of the reviewed establishments in their respective categories with important information, such as a map and driving directions, attire, open hours, and other details.
Even More Gains for the Business Owner
People will always have an opinion to express about anything, particularly a product bought or a service received. The irony is that people will always need an opinion about something, too, whether it’s a new dress or car, restaurant or hotel. And what better way to get it than from another person, who has been there and done that. That’s the premise of the advantages offered for the businesses that are reviewed on this website.
A review, whether good or bad, always has a benefit for any business. A good one adds to its reputation and is likely to attract more customers, while a bad one offers a chance for improvement and a way of knowing exactly how to do that from people who will give honest but direct feedbacks.
The wide variety of categories allows almost any kind of business to be reviewed. It doesn’t have to be a restaurant or hotel, but it can also be a service or an event.
This large amount of information from people who have experienced what they write attracts a large number of potential customers as well. When a business has a great reputation on this popular review site, other reviewers will notice and will try it out, therefore increasing the number of customers and its reputation. Attracting yelpers to a business is like attracting good karma. When they’re satisfied with what they’ve experienced, they’re bound to spread the news even more.
This feature for Business Owners doesn’t only allow the owner to claim his business page, use that page to communicate with current and potential customers, and track his online reputation. If the reviews for a business are mostly of those 3-5 star ratings, the owner might like to promote that by putting a free Yelp badge on the business website (if available). This allows all other potential customers who drop by the website to know that other people have reviewed the business and have given it these ratings.
Sponsorship Program
Another cool feature for business owners is their Sponsorship Program. With this program, an owner can enhance his business page even more by adding cool features such as a slideshow for photos of the business, a featured favorite review chosen by the owner, space for business news and announcements, and a way to advertise by having the business show up on related search results and even, the business page of the competition!
Yelp doesn’t only allow passionate and opinionated “influencers” a space to express their experience, but it also offers a space for business owners to build their online reputation and advertise. The benefits go both ways, and with the current number of yelpers, this may just be the way to boost your online reputation and reel in those customers.
Your opinion matters. Go to Yelp and cast your vote now!
Still Have More to Say? Follow the Links Below to Cast Your Vote at the Other Top Review Sites:
Vote Here to Voice-Off on CitySearch.com
Vote Here to Voice-Off on Zagat.com
Vote Here to Voice-Off on Metromix
Vote Here to Voice-Off on TripAdvisor.com
Vote Here to Voice-Off on BedandBreakfast
Vote Here to Voice-Off on Aol City Guide
Vote Here to Voice-Off on 10Best.com
Return from Yelp to VoteForUs home page.
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