We often hear about the downsides of Yelp: the impact negative reviews may have on businesses, issues with filtered reviews and so on. However, the damage you could be doing by not maintaining a listing on Yelp is much worse. Let’s examine why you should list your business on the platform and review Yelp best practices.

You Should Be Yelping

We’ve seen the impact Yelp listings can make on businesses, both personally and professionally. But don’t take our word for it. Listed below are statistics demonstrating the power of Yelp.

• Yelp boasts 108 million unique visitors per month who turn to the site to search for businesses and find feedback from real customers
• 72% of consumers say that they believe that online reviews are just as trustworthy as personal recommendations
• 90% of Yelp users state that positive reviews affect their buying choices
• 93% of individuals who uses review sites to research businesses say that they typically make purchases at all of the businesses they look up
• A recent survey from Boston Consulting Group Small businesses with Yelp listings saw an $8,000 increase in annual revenue
• 87% of small businesses surveyed by Merchant Warehouse stated that they do not actively use review sites

Yelp Best Practices

Create a Listing: First and foremost, you’ll need to create a listing for your business. Be sure to include all of your contact information, including your phone number, address and website. Also ensure that you fill out all of the information provided, especially your hours, whether or not you accept credit cards and price range. There are also business specific categories, such as whether or not your restaurant caters or serves alcohol. These fields are extremely important to fill out as often Yelp users turn to the platform to find out quick details on your business.

Fill Out Your About Section: In addition to the general profile, Yelp allows you to add a written piece about your business, as well as business specialties. Not only is this a chance to give your customers a little bit more information about your business, it is an excellent SEO opportunity. Thus, you should work your keywords into your About and Specialties copy naturally.

Add Photos: Photos add credibility to your Yelp listing. They show users what they can expect when they visit your business. Include photos of your location, both interior and exterior, as well as photos of your products or representing your services. If you are using pictures of customers be sure to ask for their permission before posting.

Check Your Listing & Respond to Your Reviews: Your job is not over once you complete your profile listing. You must check it on a regular basis in order to see how users are interacting with your profile. Read your reviews and be sure to respond to them. Note that you may respond publicly with a public comment or privately. We advise that business owners respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. Thank the customers singing your praises and acknowledge those whose comments are not so positive. Encourage them to come back to your business and let them know that you are working on the items they commented on.

Use Reviews to Your Advantage: Reviews are a great source of feedback. They show you your strong points and reveal any weaknesses you may not have otherwise noticed. For instance, you may see patterns in complaints about service that correspond with a particular employee’s shifts. This would allow you to identify which employees need to be retrained, or even let go. Once you’ve righted these wrongs your reviews will begin to reflect the change. Your potentially lost customers will be more willing to give you another try and newcomers will be eager to visit you for the first time.