Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/493450
26 ASCP Skin Deep May/June 2015 professionals to build a positive reputation for their businesses. Even with direct personal referrals, many prospective new clients are still looking online for information and comments about their next spa or facial destination. Reviews can be incredibly powerful tools for growing your business, especially since they provide credible and honest reviews of your services—at all hours of the day and night. One of the most well-known review sites for businesses is Yelp, but there are many others that can help skin care, spa, or wellness professionals. These include Angie's List, CitySearch, Google+, Insider Pages, and TripAdvisor, as well as several others available specifically for our industry, such as SpaFinder. Many social media sites also have some type of review option for members. For example, Facebook provides a "Reviews" tab for Business Pages and LinkedIn offers "Recommendations" on personal profiles. There are plenty of other social sites where reviews can appear, but these are two of the most common you and your clients will see. Other places you can find business reviews include sites such as Demandforce and Schedulicity, both of which are paid services directly connected to your company's scheduling software. Still more reviews come through online discount merchants like Groupon and LivingSocial, which collect reviews directly from customers who purchase their offers. In some areas, you will also find locally based review sites, some of which may be linked to area media or organizations such as the chamber of commerce. All are legitimate, affordable ways to boost the buzz about your business online. Getting Started Many online review sites scour the Internet for businesses to list, while others are waiting for you to find them and set up a listing. Use the list in the "Common Review Sites" on page 27 to determine which sites you're already listed on and which you want to join. Search each website to see if your spa or clinic is already listed. If it is, you will probably need to claim your business by providing some data or other proof of ownership that only you would have. If your clinic isn't listed, the first step is to set up a complete profile for your business. Each listing you create should include the exact name of your business, hours of operation, contact information, logo, and high-quality photos (very important). Some sites will charge for enhanced listings, but many do not. I suggest you give as much information as possible on all listings, but only pay for one enhanced listing, preferably on the site that has the highest number of reviews for your business and is the site your most loyal clients use. Ask them if you aren't sure! How to Get and Use Reviews Once you have completed your profile(s), share links to each of them on your website, social media sites, and with existing clients. Invite those who already do business with you to post a candid and honest review. Then post or link to the reviews on your website. Some services like Yelp can provide a web banner or other eye-catching art. I also suggest creating a Testimonials page on your website that includes reviews and positive comments you've gotten in-house. A few ideas for encouraging new reviews: • Post signage in office. • Hand out "review me" comment cards to clients as they leave. • Send a follow-up email to new clients linking to your profile on review sites. • Periodically conduct client surveys asking for feedback. • Include requests for reviews in enewsletters, blogs, etc. • Just ask!