Nov
15
2016
Your Alaska web design needs customer review section
Bragging (or letting others brag for you). Style. Communication. Being first in line for attracting Alaskan tourism basically boils down to those 3 things. Competition for customers is short but fierce, and they are online looking for you right now. Don't miss your opportunity.
If customization is the golden ticket, then reviews are the chocolate inside. 88% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. That is why reviews are the ultimate word of mouth tool. But beyond actually garnering the good reviews, you have to:
- Point customers in the right direction with links to Tripadvisor reviews, customer testimonials, awards featured on your website's front page
- Show with pictures and videos how much fun dropping their almighty with you will be
- Get busy on social media so that customers actually see you
Just consider that customers are likely to spend 31% more on a business with “excellent” reviews, 86% of people will hesitate to purchase from a business with negative online reviews, and 72% say reading positive reviews increases their trust in a business You probably know as much from your own shopping habits. One damning review can send your mouse clicks elsewhere.
Alaskan images and blog give your business style
Whereas reviews and social media largely influence the way customers perceive your business’s interest in forming relationships, the actual content will dictate business’s style and personality. And it counts for a lot:
For example, dated web design might be indicative of “old fashioned.” People will perceive your company differently if you have an active blog (more emotional connection points) because they will have more data to decide whether they “trust” your business or not.
Digital content such as videos and images will imbue your business with a certain aesthetic style. All of these internet marketing tools create your online personality. New customers will walk into their experience with a prefabricated opinion about your company based on reviews, website media, and social media. Having a quality digital “personality” and giving every reason for customers to perceive your business as positive from the beginning is like meeting someone for the first time with a nice smile and a firm handshake.
Be the fastest to respond
As you probably know, March through May is when Alaskan tourism customers are online making plans for their trip to Alaska. The average person visits 38 relevant websites in the two weeks leading up to booking. Which means if you are just one business in a line.
That is to say, you are only as special as your communication skills. Mainly, how efficiently you can get back to and reply to customers' questions. If a customer sends out an email to 7 businesses requesting more information, the first company to go through the back and forth of Q&A is first in line. Which also means you have to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Respond ASAP - like, drop what you are doing and email back right away
- Respond with resources - i.e. Q&A documents, packing checklists, etc.
- Anticipate questions and answer them before they ask
- Write professional emails without silly spelling/grammatical errors
Speed, helpfullness, anticipation, professionalism. That's how you make your business special. Here is resource that is a great example of something you can include in emails to prospective customers, that will very well answer many of their questions before they ask.