Product and service reviews may not be something you regularly seek out and take time to read, but the fact is they can be incredibly helpful. They can point out features, flaws, and even benefits you weren’t aware of, allowing you to make a more informed purchase decision.
If you’re new to the world of reviews, read on for useful tips on how you can use reviews to your advantage.
The Majority of Customers Rely on Reviews
Before we look at how reviews can help you as a customer, let’s examine how important reviews are. According to online survey data, a whopping 95% of customers read reviews before they make a purchase. Some even make a point to read a review before every purchase, big or small. Customers specifically seek out reviews that are deemed trustworthy, relevant, and recent.
Companies and brands are well aware of how critical product and service reviews are. Obtaining high-quality and trusted reviews is now a priority for businesses of all sizes and in every industry. It’s one of the top ways to attract customers and create a loyal following.
Learn How to Spot Trusted Reviews
This brings us to the first tip: learning how to spot trusted reviews. Reviews are helpful only if they come from a real customer. There are plenty of fake reviews (both good and bad) online, so it’s up to you to watch for the red flags. If you see several reviewers using the same language or phrasing, there’s a good chance they are fake.
As well, those who receive a free product in exchange for a review aren’t always the best sources of information. This means the brand has provided them with that product or service to try for free in exchange for posting a review. It’s not a guarantee they will lie, but remember that they got something for free, which can alter their opinion.
Another indicator is the time and date stamp of the review. If several posts were published on the same date around the same time, this can be a red flag.
Customers Often Include Photos and/or Videos
One huge benefit of online reviews is that customers often include product or service photos and even videos. These will offer a true sense of a product’s colour, size, scope, usage, and more. These aren’t flashy images, such as the brand would post, so you get a much more realistic look at the product.
Depending on the brand or the product, the company behind it may include few images. While this may not seem like a big deal for some items, for others, you want as many detailed images as possible. This is even more important if you’re purchasing a product online without ever seeing it in person.
Reviewers May Point Out Similar Experiences
Experiences with products and services can be positive or negative, but the information is helpful either way for potential customers. As you scroll through reviews, you may start to notice trends in customer observations. If you’re seeing a bunch of similar experiences, then you can probably trust what they are saying. Sure, there will always be people who just want to vent and complain, but when you notice patterns and trends, they are more likely to be accurate.
Remember, pointing out the bad features is just as important as pointing out the good. All of this information will help you decide if the product or service is right for you.
Learn How to Better Use the Product
Here’s something you may not even factor in regarding customer reviews; sometimes, they can help you learn how to better use a product. Reviewers may point out features you didn’t know the product had, ingenious ways to use it, and even cleaning and storage tips.
One of the best examples of this can be found with kitchen tools, gadgets, and small appliances. Reviewers will often comment about a specific ingredient or recipe they used the tool with, allowing you to picture how it would fit with your routine and needs. Sometimes, it will help you to be more creative with the product or make it clear that it’s not the right item for you.
Don’t Waste Time on Purchases That Aren’t What You’re Looking For
Not all purchases are products; perhaps you’re looking for a service instead. In terms of services, customers tend to have a very specific set of priorities and needs, so you want to be sure all are met. The last thing you want is to waste your time and money on a service that isn’t what you thought it would be.
Reading reviews when searching for a service, like reviews about gameplay on slots, is wise. In this case, you can get a sense of the games available, the types of promotions, a potential welcome bonus, customer support, and more just from the reviews that people post. By the time you create an account and give the slots a try, you’ll already have a good idea of whether or not you’ll like the site.
Reviews Should Be Part of the Decision and Purchasing Process
Any time you make a purchase, you take a chance. You hope you get what you paid for, but that’s not always the case. Taking the time to locate trusted and helpful reviews means you’ll be getting additional information that makes the decision and purchasing process much simpler.