In today’s internet world, online reviews are king. What consumers say about your company online can make or break a business, and if your funeral home doesn’t already have a process for managing reviews then you must develop one as soon as possible. In episode 10 of Jake Johnson’s (President and CEO of the Johnson Consulting Group) “M&A Minute” video series, Johnson talks about why online reviews are crucial to growing the value of your funeral business.
Online Reviews Influence Purchase Decisions
A funeral home’s legacy hinges on the service they provide to their families as well as their reputation within the community, and both these relationships are strengthened through word of mouth referrals and online reviews. The simple fact is that consumers trust online reviews, and positive reviews often influence their purchase decisions. “56% of people need at least four customer reviews before purchasing a product,” says Johnson.
Families gauge the trustworthiness of your funeral home by checking reviews on Google, Facebook, and other social media sites. Your customers expect to find information about your business online, which is why managing your funeral home’s online reviews is quickly becoming a “must-do” when it comes to engaging families and ensuring the highest level of service.
Make the Best of Negative Reviews
Some funeral professionals get discouraged when they read negative reviews about their business, especially when they don’t even know the person who made the review. While unfavorable testimonials can be a significant hurdle to building value, it is important to remember that a bad review is not the end of the world. However, you should address it quickly and try to fix the issue as best you can.
“More than half of customers expect businesses to respond to their negative reviews within a week,” says Johnson. With today’s modern technologies it’s easy to monitor and respond to online reviews, and the expert team at Johnson Consulting Group can help you establish a positive online presence and maintain your funeral home’s public image on a regular basis. To learn more about our reputation management tools, please contact us today.
Jake Johnson and the Johnson Consulting team created the M&A Minute to help business owners through the process of buying or selling a business. The M&A Minute utilizes Jake and the JCG team’s knowledge to give advice that helps individuals feel confident and at ease when going through one of the most important times of their lives, selling or purchasing their most valuable asset. The M&A Minute is released every other Thursday. You can watch episode 9 now. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to get M&A Minute updates.