Yodle: Reviews from websites like Yelp can help your business

Reaching consumers in a particular geographic area is one of the challenges for a local business, but that doesn’t make it any less important. According to BIAKelsey, 20 percent of Google searches have a local focus and 40 percent of searches on mobile devices are local in nature.

One of the easiest ways for local businesses to showcase their services and great customer experiences is by creating a profile on Yelp.com. Yelp was founded in 2004 by a group that included one of the creators of the online payment service PayPal. The creators wanted to take the information of the Yellow Pages and combine it with customer reviews. Today, the site has accrued more than 20 million reviews and receives over 50 million visitors each month, many of whom might be searching for a service you provide.

Yelp is one of the best tools in a small business owner’s arsenal, and using the site as a marketing tool is recommended by professional marketing services, like we suggest here at Yodle. Complaints  that arise can be dealt with right on the site, and business owners will have the opportunity to address them in a public forum. When potential customers see that a business is doing all it can to ensure customer satisfaction, they will feel more confident about making a purchase. And don’t forget - happy customers will leave their remarks as well, which will help a business establish a positive reputation among users.

In order to be found on Yelp, you have to first create a profile for your business.

1. Check Out the Competition
Yelp allows companies to present themselves and their services in different ways, so Yodle recommends finding out how others do so before creating your own profile. Look at similar companies in the area and determine what they’ve included on their profiles. For example, dentists may list services like cleaning, cavity repair and x-rays, as well as links to accredited organizations they belong to. Attorneys might list the professional organizations they belong to, or the law school they graduated from. Think about what might set you apart from your competitors.

2. Create Your Business Account
You’ll begin by searching to see if your business is already listed by going to https://biz.yelp.com/signup/

If your business is already listed, select it by clicking “unlock.” You’ll be prompted to enter in your contact information to create a business account.

To verify you are the owner of the business, Yelp will contact the phone number listed and ask for the verification code that appears on your screen.  Alternative verification methods are available if the phone number listed is incorrect or if you have an automated answering system.

If your business does not appear, you can register it by clicking “Add your business to Yelp” at the bottom of the search results.  Complete all required fields and double-check them for accuracy.  You will receive an email after submitting your information to verify your email address.  The staff at Yelp will then review your listing to confirm it is a real business.

3. Personalize Your Profile
Once you have created and unlocked your business listing, you will be able to upload photos, hours of operation and create a more detailed description of your business and services.

Additional features like responding to customer reviews and tracking page views can also be done inside your Yelp business account. Maps will be included and users can get directions using Google. Business owners can edit their profiles to add information about provided services, hours and more.

While the old adage, “build it and they will come” is somewhat true of your new Yelp profile, having reviews from your actual customers will help make it an effective marketing tool. 

According to small business blogger Carol Higgins, more than 75 percent of adults turn to the internet to make local buying decisions. That means that social media sites like Yelp, which offer reviews on local shops and services, can be an incredibly valuable tool for small, locally based businesses.

Let your customers know you are on Yelp so they can share their positive experiences with your future prospects.