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Is Yelp Still Relevant (Or Are You Just Wasting Your Time)?

   By: Hayden Jarman


Ever feel like you're pouring your heart into Yelp reviews, but it's a bottomless pit? You're not alone.


So many business owners are stuck in the same cycle, unsure if Yelp's the golden goose or just another wild goose chase.

You've tried the strategies, watched the YouTube videos, read the articles - but nothing's clicked.

Why? Because they didn't address your specific needs.

Enter what we call the "Review Roulette Method".

It's tailored, thorough, and designed to find the best platform for your efforts.

Ready to dive in? Let's get started and uncover where your review efforts will truly shine.
 

BUT WAIT: Looking for a list of easily customizable response templates we've used to successfully respond to our own online reviews? Check out our Instant Copy/Paste Review Response Templates cheat sheet to get results even faster and skyrocket your online reputation effortlessly!


Table of Contents:


Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Yelp Presence

First, we need to see where you currently stand on Yelp. This will help us understand if it's benefiting your business or if it's a waste of time.

  • Read Your Reviews: Go through your Yelp reviews. What are customers saying? Identify common themes, praises, and complaints.
  • Check Your Rating: Note your overall rating. How does it compare to your competitors in the same industry and location?
  • Analyze Engagement: Look at the number of reviews and their frequency. Are you getting consistent feedback, or is it sporadic?


Step 2: Compare Yelp with Other Review Platforms

Now that you've evaluated your current Yelp presence, let's see how it stacks up against other review platforms. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Identify Alternative Platforms: Common options include Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews, TripAdvisor (if relevant), and industry-specific sites (like ZocDoc for healthcare or Angie's List for home services).
  2. Evaluate Each Platform:
    • Google Reviews: Search for your business on Google and see how many reviews and what rating you have. Google Reviews are integrated into search results and Google Maps, which can significantly impact local SEO.
    • Facebook Reviews: Check your business's Facebook page. Look at the number of reviews and overall rating. Facebook is a social platform, so engagement here can also lead to increased visibility.
    • Industry-Specific Sites: Look at any other relevant platforms. For example, if you're in hospitality, check TripAdvisor. If you're in healthcare, check ZocDoc or Healthgrades.
  3. Compare Metrics:
    • Review Quantity: Which platform has the most reviews for your business?
    • Review Quality: Where are the reviews most positive and detailed?
    • Engagement: Which platform has the most interaction (likes, comments, shares)?
    • SEO Impact: Consider which platforms show up most prominently in search results when you search for your business or related keywords.

Once you've compared these metrics, you'll know which platform(s) have the most potential for your business.


Step 3: Assess the Effort vs. Reward for Each Platform

Now that you've identified and compared the review platforms, it's time to assess the effort required to maintain an active presence on each versus the potential rewards. Here's how:

  1. Effort Required:
    • Yelp: How much time do you spend responding to reviews, managing your profile, and dealing with Yelp's sales calls? Is it a daily, weekly, or monthly task?
    • Google Reviews: How easy is it to manage reviews and engage with customers here? Google's interface is user-friendly but consider the time for regular updates and responses.
    • Facebook Reviews: Since Facebook is also a social platform, consider the time spent on both review management and social media engagement (posting updates, responding to comments).
    • Industry-Specific Sites: These can vary widely in terms of effort. Consider any specialized tasks like updating listings, responding to specific types of feedback, or engaging with niche communities.
  2. Potential Rewards:
    • Yelp: Assess the impact of Yelp on your business. Are you getting a significant number of customers mentioning they found you on Yelp? Are positive reviews translating into business growth?
    • Google Reviews: Reviews here can directly influence your local SEO and visibility on Google Maps. A strong presence can drive substantial organic traffic.
    • Facebook Reviews: Reviews combined with social engagement can boost your brand visibility and customer loyalty. Facebook also offers ad opportunities that can complement your review strategy.
    • Industry-Specific Sites: These can offer targeted exposure. For example, being highly rated on a niche platform can enhance your reputation within that specific platform.
  3. Weighing the Balance:
    • Create a simple pros and cons list for each platform based on your effort vs. the rewards. Consider factors like ease of use, impact on SEO, customer reach, and overall business growth.

Once you've completed your pros and cons list, you'll know which platforms seem to offer the best balance of effort and reward.


Step 4: Make a Decision Based on Your Findings

Now that you've evaluated the effort required and the potential rewards for each platform, it's time to make an informed decision. Here's how:

  1. Review Your Pros and Cons Lists:
    • Take a look at the pros and cons lists you created for Yelp, Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews, and any industry-specific sites.
    • Identify which platform(s) offer the best balance between effort and potential rewards.
  2. Consider Your Business Goals:
    • Are you looking to improve your local SEO? Google Reviews might be the best choice.
    • Want to boost social engagement and customer loyalty? Facebook Reviews could be more beneficial.
    • Seeking targeted exposure within a specific industry? Industry-specific sites might be your focus.
    • If Yelp shows significant positive impact despite the effort, it might still be worth your time.
  3. Allocate Your Resources:
    • Decide how much time and resources you can realistically allocate to each platform.
    • Consider setting a schedule for regular review management (e.g., responding to reviews once a week, updating profiles monthly).
  4. Test and Monitor:
    • Implement your strategy on the chosen platforms for a set period (e.g., 3-6 months).
    • Monitor the results: track new reviews, changes in customer engagement, and any impact on your business metrics (like traffic, inquiries, or sales).

Once you have reviewed your pros and cons lists and considered your business goals, make your decision on which platform(s) to focus on.


Additional Resources

For more insights and resources on optimizing your business reviews and choosing the right platforms, check out these valuable articles:


Need personalized assistance?

At BlueTone Media, we specialize in SEO and digital marketing strategies tailored to your business needs.

Check out our SEO services or contact us to learn how we can help you maximize your online presence and grow your business!
 


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