reputation management Archives - Best Version Media Bringing People Together Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:43:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-BVM_Logo_2023_Round_White-Background-Favicon-18-32x32.png reputation management Archives - Best Version Media 32 32 The Local SEO Advantage: How Online Listings Can Drive Real Results https://www.bestversionmedia.com/the-local-seo-advantage-how-online-listings-can-drive-real-results/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/?p=8151 Local businesses can unlock significant growth by claiming and optimizing their online listings. Whether you’re a neighborhood coffee shop, a plumbing service or a local law firm, SEO is a powerful way to put your business on the map, both literally and digitally. Local online listings are free, high-impact digital assets that connect businesses to […]

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Local businesses can unlock significant growth by claiming and optimizing their online listings. Whether you’re a neighborhood coffee shop, a plumbing service or a local law firm, SEO is a powerful way to put your business on the map, both literally and digitally.

Local online listings are free, high-impact digital assets that connect businesses to nearby customers through platforms like Google, Bing, Yelp, Apple Maps and several other directories. These listings allow local consumers to find accurate contact information, hours of operation and even real-time reviews, all helping to drive foot traffic, calls and conversions.

According to Bright Local and SOCi, 80% of consumers in the United States search online for a local business on a weekly basis, with 32% doing so daily. If businesses aren’t optimizing their local listings, they are missing out on one of the most cost-effective digital marketing strategies available.

Here’s a closer look at why online listings remain one of the most overlooked marketing tools, the impact they can have on businesses and how to optimize listings in order to rank higher in search results.

Local Listings: The Unsung Hero of Digital Marketing

Online listings include mentions of the name, address and phone number (NAP) of your business on directory platforms. These listings act as digital breadcrumbs, which are small pieces of online data left behind by users or businesses that search engines use to validate and rank businesses in local search results.

The most influential listing comes on your Google Business Profile, which directly impacts Google Search and Google Maps results. According to Bright Local, the most trusted platforms for researching local businesses are Google and Google Maps. Yext notes that businesses with a complete Google Business Profile are 2.7x more likely to be found reputable by customers. Consumers are also 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to purchase from businesses with complete and accurate profiles.

However, it is important to remain consistent across other platforms as well, like Bing Places, Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps and other industry-specific directories. Doing so will further strengthen the visibility and credibility of your business.

Even with the proven power that online listings provide, some businesses still tend to leave them unclaimed, or filled with outdated, inconsistent information. According to Bright Local, 62% of consumers will avoid using a business if they find incorrect information online, further highlighting the importance of accurate listings.

Why Online Listings Matter More Than You Might Think

The goal of search engines is to deliver the most accurate and relevant results to users. When businesses have consistent, complete and verified listings across the web, search algorithms view them as trustworthy and relevant. Those factors directly influence rankings in local search results.

One of the most valuable spots for local businesses to be featured in search results is the Google Local Pack, also known as the Map Pack or 3-Pack, featuring three prominent business listings alongside a map of business locations containing NAP information and customer ratings when a user makes a location-based search. 

Appearing in these results can be vital for increased visibility and conversions, as 42% of searchers click on Google Local Pack results for local queries, according to backlinko.com. Moreover, reliqus.com notes that 92% of consumers are more likely to choose a business that appears on the first page of search engine results.

Here’s a closer look at what well-optimized listings can achieve:

 

  • Improve local search visibility – this can be accompanied by appearing in Google’s Local Pack
  • Increase trust and credibility – consistent and complete profiles signal greater credibility to potential consumers
  • Drive direct conversions – listings can often include impactful calls-to-action (CTAs), ranging from “call now” to “get directions,” influencing users to take the next step toward a purchasing decision
  • Collect and showcase reviews – user-generated content like reviews are significant parts of online presence, boosting social proof and SEO

A local business that ensures its name, address, hours and website are updated on Google, Yelp and Apple Maps, among other directories, is significantly more likely to outperform a competitor with an unclaimed or inconsistent online presence, even if that competitor offers better prices or quality.

Common Mistakes Businesses Make With Listings

Even while attempting to manage online listings, businesses can still be prone to some common mistakes, including:

1. Not claiming listings

Unclaimed profiles can be edited by third parties or competitors and are often filled with incorrect information. That is particularly true with Google Business Profile, but it is important for companies to not overlook updating other directories.

2. Inconsistent or outdated NAP data

Search engines cross-reference multiple listings to verify accuracy. Any inconsistencies, even something as small as listing “Street” vs. “St.,” can have an impact and ultimately hurt ranking. Inconsistent NAP data can also decrease trust, as 46% of consumers lose trust in a business after seeing an incorrect address, while 45% lose trust after encountering an incorrect phone number, according to Bright Local.

3. Ignoring reviews

Reviews go hand-in-hand with listings as a significant part of maintaining a positive online reputation. Like listings, reviews influence consumer decisions and SEO. Reviews that go unmanaged or aren’t responded to can create a perception of disengagement and a lack of trust among potential consumers. Inaccurate listings can also be a catalyst for negative reviews. In its Local Consumer Review Survey, Bright Local notes that only 47% of consumers would consider using a business that doesn’t respond to reviews, while 63% of consumers said seeing mostly negative reviews would make them lose trust in a business. 

4. Neglecting categories and photos

Choosing the wrong category for your business, or none at all, can quickly bury your listing. In addition, high-quality photos and a thorough business description can help convert views into customers. BizIQ.com notes that Google believes listings with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to business websites.

The SEO Ripple Effect of Local Listings

The biggest goal of optimized listings is often increasing your ranking in search results. However, the entire digital footprint of a business can be impacted through:

 

  • Increased website traffic – Listings often drive qualified traffic to your website, which can in turn impact some important SEO signals like increasing session duration and reducing bounce rate.
  • Enhanced mobile discovery – According to Semrush, over 60% of Google searches begin on mobile devices. That means accurate listings can help potential customers who may be nearby find you fast.
  • Voice search optimization – Many voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant pull business info directly from listings, giving your company another opportunity to be placed in front of potential consumers.
  • AI – With the continued rise of AI in search, the importance of structured and accurate data has only increased, as these tools rely on verified and up-to-date listings to provide users with instant answers. According to Near Media, 32% of U.S. adults think that AI would provide a better experience and outcome than typical search when looking for a local business, further highlighting AI’s emergence within the marketing space. While AI provides another opportunity for your business to appear in front of potential consumers, failing to maintain accuracy can lead to misinformation, lost leads and reputational harm.

Proper listing management can also have an indirect impact on mitigating reputation damage. A quick, professional response to a negative review can be seen by potential consumers as they come across your business and can build goodwill and trust. The active engagement can also signal to search engines that your business is credible and responsive, further influencing visibility in search rankings. 

How to Optimize Your Listings: A Quick Checklist

Claiming and optimizing your listings is a relatively simple process, but it does require attention to detail. Here’s a list of steps to follow.

1. Claim your Google Business Profile and accounts on any other directories

2. Ensure NAP consistency across all platforms

3. Add high-quality photos (interior, exterior, products, team, etc.)

4. Choose the correct primary and secondary business categories

5. Write a compelling business description that includes relevant keywords

6. Update hours of operation and include any special holiday hours

7. Monitor and respond to reviews regularly

8. Use a listing management tool to sync across platforms

Listings should be checked and updated whenever a change occurs within your business, such as new hours, new products or services, a new phone number or address, or holiday closures. Even if there are no recent changes, it is a good practice to double check your online listings regularly.

Ultimately, optimizing local listings is not a standalone strategy, but should be part of a successful marketing mix for businesses that also includes things like an optimized business website and successful digital ad campaigns

Still, the importance of listings cannot be understated, as they have essentially become a digital version of the yellow pages as a real-time, interactive hub for customer engagement. With the SEO value they can provide businesses at no cost, each step above should be thoroughly completed in order to gain a local edge, improve online visibility and build lasting customer relationships.

Real-World Examples of the Benefits of Online Listings

Kaycan

Kaycan, a manufacturer and distributor of exterior building products since 1974 with multiple branches across the United States and Canada, aimed to grow its online presence. Partnering with Digital Giants, the company sought to increase its visibility on Google Search and Google Maps while increasing engagement at its various locations.

By optimizing its Google Business Profile and posting more content, Kaycan saw a 112% increase on views on Google Search and Google Maps, while its stores appeared in 119% more searches.

Bayada

A few years ago Bayada, a home health care provider since 1975, sought to continue driving local intent while maintaining a strong online presence. To do so, the company aimed to invest more in its digital marketing strategy, focusing on consistent and accurate information across local directories for its various locations.

Partnering with Yext to ensure more accurate and real-time listing information, Bayada launched listings for 267 office locations, immediately seeing improved digital engagement with over 4,000 website visits stemming from Google Business Profile searches in just one month. Bayada also saw page sessions grow by 82% within one year of its new strategy.

Law Office of Thomas O. Mason

The Law Office of Thomas O. Mason, also known as Mason Law Firm, has been serving the local community of Lynn, Massachusetts since 1996. A few years ago, the law firm lacked an online presence and sought to rapidly increase its online visibility.

While partnering with Monster Ranking, the law firm updated its Google Business Profile with up-to-date and accurate information, as well as high-quality images. It also targeted relevant local search terms while creating valuable content that highlighted the firm’s specialties. The results led to increased online visibility, more client inquiries and more appointments. The law firm also ranked within the top two on Google Maps for all targeted keywords in just three months.

As evidenced above, online listings provide multiple benefits, beginning with businesses seeing success thanks to increased discoverability, credibility and conversions without spending. The benefits also trickle down to consumers, as they have the ability to find accurate, trustworthy information that leads to faster and better experiences. Communities can benefit as well, as they gain better access to local services and businesses, perhaps driving local economic growth.

Best Version Media Can Help Your Business Manage Online Listings

Best Version Media helps businesses increase their online presence through management of online reviews and listings, all from one dashboard. 

By overseeing listings across multiple directories, maps and search engines, BVM can help put your business in position to increase visibility, trust and conversions.

Connect with BVM today to optimize your online presence.

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The Snowball Effect of a 1-Star Review (and How to Turn It Around) https://www.bestversionmedia.com/the-snowball-effect-of-a-1-star-review-and-how-to-turn-it-around/ Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/?p=8088 Reviews play a significant role in the reputation of a business, and can ultimately be a key tool when it comes to customer growth. However, a single negative, 1-star review can be damaging to a brand’s reputation, leading to reduced consumer trust, and potentially, less conversions. A 1-star review can happen at any time, stemming […]

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Reviews play a significant role in the reputation of a business, and can ultimately be a key tool when it comes to customer growth. However, a single negative, 1-star review can be damaging to a brand’s reputation, leading to reduced consumer trust, and potentially, less conversions.

A 1-star review can happen at any time, stemming from a miscommunication, a late delivery or simply an unreasonable customer. Once the bad review becomes live, it is visible everywhere, whether that be Google, Yelp or social media – platforms where the story of a negative experience can quickly gain traction.

Negative reviews can be particularly damaging for small and local businesses driven by digital marketing success. According to reviewsonmywebsite.com, 86% of consumers are less likely to purchase from a business that has negative reviews, while 13% of consumers won’t even consider purchasing from a company that has a 1-star or 2-star rating.

While a 1-star review can be detrimental, it doesn’t have to be permanent. Your response, reaction and ability to turn a negative experience into a growth opportunity can be key to turning things around and maintaining customer loyalty.

Here’s a closer look at the impact of receiving a 1-star review, how to manage it and what consistent reputation management can do for your business.

How One Bad Review Can Damage Your Reputation

Consumers rely heavily on online reviews when making purchasing decisions. According to Capital One Shopping, 99% of American consumers read online reviews before making purchases, with 93% of consumers being influenced by reviews when it comes to making a purchasing decision.

This means that negative reviews can immediately impact conversions, as well as how your business is perceived by potential customers. A 1-star review in particular can quickly diminish your average rating, especially if you don’t have that many reviews overall. Fluctuation in average rating is significant, as just a 0.1 rating increase can boost conversion rates by 25%, according to Uberall.

Getting a 1-star review impacts any business, but can be particularly detrimental to local service, SaaS, e-commerce or hospitality companies. Search engines and review platforms like Google and Yelp weigh recency and frequency when it comes to rating average, allowing a negative review to potentially send a damaging blow that might move you down search rankings.

Ultimately, one of the biggest concerns that stems from a 1-star review is a potential snowball effect. After the review is posted, businesses may begin to see a chain reaction of negatives, including fewer clicks, less traffic, lower engagement, declining sales and less visibility in search results. If the negative review goes unaddressed, it is hard to slow these damaging effects.

A Closer Look at the Digital Domino Effect

A negative review can have several significant impacts on your business in real time, including:

  • Drop in search rankings – Google’s algorithm considers your average star rating, so if your business drops lower than a 4.0, you may be less likely to appear in a 3-pack for local SEO.
  • Fall in click-through rates (CTR) – Listings with higher star ratings tend to receive more clicks thanks to a higher trust factor. A bad review that drops your rating could discourage potential customers before they even reach your website.
  • Suffering conversion ratesAccording to an analysis across 40 purchase categories by the Medill Spiegel Research Center at Northwestern University, purchase likelihood peaks when the average star rating of a product or service is between 4.2 and 4.5 stars. A 1-star review, particularly one without a response from the business, can lower your star rating below this threshold, and in turn decrease conversions.
  • Decline in consumer trust – It is easy for negative reviews to create a negative connotation and bias toward a business, potentially leading buyers to weigh bad experiences more heavily than positive ones.

Ultimately, each of these impacts can play off of each other and compound over time. If a business doesn’t react promptly, the negative perception can stick and become reality.

The Human Side of Reviews

It can be easy to forget that reviews come from real people. There will be times when your customer has a bad day, and other times when your team does. It’s also possible that a negative review may be disingenuous. If a business suspects that a review is fake or malicious, it should:

  • Flag or report the review through the platform’s official process
  • Gather documentation such as screenshots, order history or communication logs
  • Stay professional in your response, as other consumers are watching

Even with fake or malicious reviews, your response can set a significant tone as to how your brand is perceived. While some consumers will judge businesses based on what went wrong, they will more often focus on how the company handled a negative situation. It’s not uncommon for a bad review to evoke negative emotion, but remaining calm and professional in all responses should benefit a business in the long run.

Turning It Around: A Step-By-Step Response Plan to a Negative Review

The impact of a 1-star review can be damaging, but it’s not irreversible. The key is responding promptly, authentically and strategically. To begin turning things back to positive, businesses should:

1. Respond publicly, calmly and timely

It’s important to acknowledge the consumer’s concern without getting defensive or personal. Using empathy can attempt to diffuse the situation. A prime example would be:

“We’re sorry to hear about your experience, [Name]. We take feedback very seriously and would like to learn more about what happened. Please contact us at [email and/or phone number].”

Businesses should stay away from responses that are generic or pre-written, which feel impersonal and lack authenticity and empathy. Responding to the review in a timely manner also shows your concern for the issue, and may diffuse it faster. According to ReviewTrackers, 53% of customers expect businesses to respond to a negative review within one week.

2. Take the conversation offline

Once you have responded publicly, the focus should be continuing the conversation offline or through a private channel, which is often where the negative issue is resolved. To do this, businesses should offer a private chat channel such as phone, email or direct messaging to resolve the issue. This will prevent any further public damage, and signals to customers that you are proactive.

3. Investigate and resolve the issue

First and foremost, businesses need to analyze if the complaint was valid, or if it was a miscommunication or just a genuine mistake. The customer feedback should ultimately be used as an internal quality check. If the issue can be fixed through things like a product replacement, refund or policy update, businesses should take action.

4. Request an update

If the reviewer’s issue was resolved satisfactorily in a timely manner, businesses can politely ask if they would consider updating or amending their review. Consumers will often be willing to revise a rating if they feel heard and helped.

5. Bury the bad with the better

To mask the negative review, businesses should further encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. While incentivizing fake reviews is against FTC guidelines, nudging happy customers to leave true, positive reviews can be done through post-purchase emails, QR codes at checkouts or additional follow-ups asking for feedback. According to Bright Local, 96% of customers are open to leaving reviews.

6. Track review metrics

Businesses can use tools like Google Business Profile, Yelp for Business, or third-party platforms to monitor reviews over time, something that should be a priority in today’s business landscape. A proactive approach across all channels will help to recognize patterns and respond faster in the future.

A key takeaway is that while bad reviews are generally unpreventable for most businesses, you can control your response. Negative reviews are impactful, but businesses can also gain positive momentum by attempting to turn them into customer service wins.

The Importance of Proactive Reputation Management

Perhaps the most effective way to mitigate and overcome a 1-star review is through building a consistent and resilient online presence. That means stacking the deck in your favor before anything goes wrong through strong reputation management.

Reputation management consists of monitoring, maintaining and influencing a positive public perception of your business. This entails maintaining accurate online listings that clearly highlight everything a customer needs in order to make a decision on which business to purchase from, including things like phone number, address, location and hours.

The other main focal point of reputation management is handling reviews. Good reviews not only show customer satisfaction, but they also foster loyalty and trust, key factors when it comes to customer retention.

Negative reviews can be unfortunate, but they also give businesses a chance to build their reputation. Responding to negative reviews professionally by addressing the concern and trying to come to a resolution will hopefully solve the issue the customer had. However, the handling of the situation can be the true driver of customer loyalty. In its 2025 consumer survey, Bright Local notes that 89% of consumers are likely to utilize a business that responds to all reviews, both positive and negative.

How to Make the Best of Receiving a Negative Review 

While bad reviews are generally seen to have a negative impact, there are multiple benefits that could derive from them. Most consumers don’t expect any business to have a perfect, 5.0 rating, so a couple of bad reviews can portray your company as legitimate and trustworthy. According to Capital One Shopping, 82% of shoppers look for negative reviews to establish credibility.

In addition, negative reviews can help identify potential customer pain points, and things your business can improve on. Businesses might also be able to gain more insights on what their competitors are doing well or better thanks to a negative review.

Meanwhile, bad reviews can provide opportunity for self reflection for your business team and may strengthen customer service. It can also potentially help marketing, as businesses can use negative feedback as an opportunity to provide additional information or answers to questions that other customers have as well.

Other things you can do to help mitigate the negative impact a 1-star review can have include:

  • Build review volume – The more reviews you have, the less impact one negative review will have. Ask consumers to leave reviews consistently, and make the process to do so easy across multiple touchpoints, including email and SMS, social media platforms, or reminders on receipts, websites and apps.
  • Diversify review channels – Businesses should encourage reviews across multiple channels, including Google, Facebook, Yelp, Trustpilot and industry-specific platforms. Doing so spreads out your online presence, which could also heighten brand awareness and protect against significant damage on any one channel.
  • Showcase positive reviews – Displaying positive reviews helps boost your company’s reputation while reinforcing trust. Businesses should look to showcase their best reviews on their website, in email campaigns or on product pages.
  • Train your team – Whether it’s front-of-house staff, support agents or delivery personnel, all employees should know how to provide an experience that can lead to a positive customer review. In turn, those within the company who manage reviews should be educated on how to respond to all types of feedback, both positive and negative, in a professional manner.

How Businesses Respond to Negative Reviews

Many businesses are regularly faced with having to respond to negative reviews in order to maintain their positive image, whether that be a small local business or an industry giant. Here are some examples of how businesses have excelled at responding to negative reviews in the past.

1. Home Depot, one of the leading home retailers in the United States, was given a negative review and 1-star rating after a customer received the wrong item they had ordered and was told that they would be charged an additional fee to get the correct item. With the customer relationship needing repair, Home Depot responded with this:

“Greetings Mrs. Chance,

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us and bringing this situation to our attention. We are very sorry to hear about your experience. 

We would like an opportunity to review your concerns and discuss this matter with you. Please call us at 1-800-Home Depot or email us at [email address]. 

A representative from our team would be happy to assist you.

Thank you for being a valued Home Depot customer.”

This message is highlighted by a personalized greeting, empathy for the customer and contact information that allows the consumer and the business to get in touch to discuss the matter further. Even if that particular customer’s issue doesn’t get resolved, the professional response helps Home Depot maintain a positive brand image.

2. A consumer left a negative review about Stamford Plaza, a hotel in Brisbane, Australia. The customer, who had previously stayed at the hotel, complimented the staff and aspects of the stay, but was concerned about an issue with the bathtub and flies around the breakfast buffet. At risk of losing a repeat customer, a manager from Stamford Plaza responded with this:

“Dear McMillan2014,

Thank you for sharing your feedback, both positive and constructive. I apologize that we did not exceed the standard you have received during previous stays. I was glad to read that the staff provided great service and the unexpected surprise of a bottle of sparkling wine for your anniversary. Your comments have been discussed at length with our pest control contractor to make sure the hotel maintains its standards.

Warm Regards,

Dale John

Executive Assistant Manager”

This review displays a professional tone and voice. By apologizing, responding to the customer’s issue and addressing the issue with a plan of action, the hotel is positioning itself to ensure that this specific customer’s next stay, and the stays of other potential customers, will be more positive.

3. UK beauty and health retailer Boots sees negative reviews as an opportunity to turn a disgruntled customer into a supporter.

“Responding to negative reviews gives us the chance to shift the way the customer feels toward us based on the way we handle their concerns,” Bonnie Berrio, a former customer service specialist at Boots, said to Bazaarvoice. “They might still share their negative experience about a product or service, but they also immediately follow with how they will always buy from us because of how well we handled the issue.

“We always answer as quickly as we can, even if it is just to let the customer know we received your inquiry, we’re looking for the answer and we’ll be back in touch. Then we direct questions to key people we rely on to answer most questions, and reach out to each other for help as needed so that we can follow through.”

According to Bazaarvoice, responding to a negative review with an apology while also offering a refund or exchange can result in a 92% increase in intent to purchase. Responding with an explanation of how to use a product that is being misused, or giving other guidance information can lead to a 186% increase in intent to purchase.

This further highlights the benefits of responding to all reviews, positive and negative, and simply engaging with customers when they have questions. Not only does it potentially increase conversions, but it also fosters a highly-positive brand image, as potential consumers can see that your business truly cares about the products or services you provide.

How Best Version Media Can Help Manage Your Reviews

Best Version Media can help your business maintain a positive reputation through its management of reviews across directories, maps and search engines – all from one dashboard.

Whether it be positive or negative reviews, BVM can assist in maintaining a positive image of your brand, which can boost your online presence, grow customer loyalty and increase your customer base.

Connect with BVM today to see how our reputation management can assist in your marketing strategy.

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5 Ways That Local Print Advertising Still Beats Digital https://www.bestversionmedia.com/5-ways-that-local-print-advertising-still-beats-digital/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/?p=8063 Digital marketing has emerged as the leading method of advertising, pushing print marketing to the sidelines for many local businesses. According to research by Gartner, the average business now allocates just 28% of its marketing budget to traditional channels. While the shift is not surprising, it reflects the changes many companies have made with the […]

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Digital marketing has emerged as the leading method of advertising, pushing print marketing to the sidelines for many local businesses. According to research by Gartner, the average business now allocates just 28% of its marketing budget to traditional channels. While the shift is not surprising, it reflects the changes many companies have made with the increased accessibility and reach of online marketing. 

However, many local business owners may not realize that print advertising still plays a valuable role in successful marketing strategies. While digital ads certainly have their benefits, print advertising has several ways it can positively affect marketing efforts that digital methods simply can’t match. Some of these advantages are straightforward, while others are less obvious.

If you’re looking to take your advertising strategy to the next level, check out these five key ways that print marketing still outperforms digital methods.

1. Trustworthiness

Fostering a connection with the community is paramount for local businesses. Strong relationships can be powerful tools to enhance marketing efforts, but trust must be established before community members are willing to engage with a business. While digital advertisements are a great way to spread awareness far and wide, print marketing builds trust much more efficiently.

According to Electro IQ, 56% of consumers consider print marketing to be more trustworthy than any other type of advertisement. Several factors contribute to this perception, including the more personal nature of how print materials are distributed.

While the internet can reach nearly every demographic, print media is often consumed by specific, targeted groups of people. As a result, the ads feel more personal and relevant to the reader, which leads to more follow-through and action. Print ads also provide a sense of legitimacy to local businesses, increasing the attention and engagement with the advertisement.

2. Viewership

Building trust opens the door to greater ad engagement that digital media often can’t replicate. Marketing Dive found that only 9% of digital ads exceed one second of viewership and just 4% surpass two seconds.

In contrast, Marketing Week reports that 75% of readers view print ads for an average of 2.2 seconds. This longer engagement not only boosts retention but also provides more time to convey detailed information.

How this opportunity is used depends on the nature of the product or service and the intention of the ad. Including elements like business address, phone number, store hours and customer testimonials are just a few effective ways to maximize a print ad that not all digital ads can match.

3. Comprehension

It’s no surprise that people are more likely to engage with content they can easily comprehend. This is another area where print ads have a significant leg up over digital. A study by Two Sides North America found that, “Direct mail requires 21% less cognitive effort to process than digital media.”

This is important because readers are more likely to understand the information and intent of an ad, which helps maximize the effectiveness of a marketing campaign. When an ad is placed in a local magazine, every reader is valuable, and presenting easily digestible information can extend the ad’s impact.

This also leads to another key reason print marketing beats digital, and that’s stronger brand recall.

4. Brand Recall Rate

Before achieving the ultimate goal of making a sale, an advertisement must resonate with consumers enough to become memorable. After all, presenting a product or service that sparks interest is a critical step, but it becomes irrelevant if the consumer chooses to do business with a competitor.

This is another area where digital can’t keep up with print marketing. According to the study by Two Sides North America, consumers recalled the brand from a print ad at a rate 70% higher than from a digital ad. 

Several factors contribute to this advantage, perhaps none more impactful than the longevity of print. Per Linemark, consumers keep print ads for an average of 17 days. While digital ads may reach a broader audience, print ads tend to stick around longer and are more likely to be revisited after the initial impression.

5. Action

All of these factors show why print remains valuable, but it means nothing without the reader taking action and making a purchase. Fortunately, print ads still excel in that area as well. Southern California News Group revealed that print ads have a 20% higher response rate than digital ads.

This stems from all of the reasons previously discussed. A trustworthy, easy-to-understand ad leads to increased viewership and brand recognition, which ultimately results in readers becoming customers. 

Not only do print ads boast a higher response rate than digital, but they also generate a 112% return on investment, according to Neyenesch. At this point, the advantages of print are obvious, but that doesn’t mean a business should rely solely on physical ads to drive sales.

Combining Print With Digital

Print and digital marketing campaigns each have their areas in which they excel. That’s why implementing an advertising approach that uses both is essential to local business success. Neyenesch found that, “Campaigns that integrate print and digital see response rates increase by up to 400%.”

This boost is largely due to the common marketing principle known as the “Rule of 7,” which suggests that a potential customer needs to see a brand at least seven times before taking action. Combining print and digital is not only the fastest way to reach that goal, but it is also more effective.

While print tends to resonate more deeply with readers and offers higher brand recall, digital ads can appear more frequently and are easier to distribute. Together, they form the most powerful and well-rounded marketing strategy for any business.

How Best Version Media Can Fulfill Your Marketing Needs

Best Version Media offers local businesses a comprehensive marketing strategy through print, digital and online presence advertising solutions all from one easy-to-use dashboard. For nearly two decades, BVM has helped businesses grow within their communities and make the most of their marketing budgets.
Contact BVM today and start growing your business.

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The Ultimate Marketing Checklist for Local Businesses in 2025 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/the-ultimate-marketing-checklist-for-local-businesses-in-2025/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/?p=8057 Local businesses looking to grow and compete in their markets must embrace a holistic marketing strategy that blends digital precisions with real-world presence. In order to thrive, this strategy needs to align with evolving consumer habits, digital tools and trends. The key to winning locally lies in showing up at all touchpoints where your customers […]

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Local businesses looking to grow and compete in their markets must embrace a holistic marketing strategy that blends digital precisions with real-world presence. In order to thrive, this strategy needs to align with evolving consumer habits, digital tools and trends.

The key to winning locally lies in showing up at all touchpoints where your customers are, both online and offline. Remaining relevant and standing out among competitors is perhaps more critical than ever before with consumer attention spread across multiple channels.

Here is the ultimate marketing checklist for local businesses in 2025, including actionable items and strategies that every company can implement in the digital, social media and print landscapes.

1. Determine Your Target Audience and Set Marketing Goals

Above anything else, determining the audience you want to target is the first step in any marketing strategy. From there, businesses should set their main marketing objectives. These processes can be done by:

  • Researching your target market through surveys, social media insights or existing customer data
  • Defining and analyzing local competitors and the strategies they’re using for success by visiting other businesses, talking to local consumers or analyzing Google Trends
  • Determining trends and patterns in customer demographics, behaviors and needs
  • Creating a marketing funnel that analyzes a customer’s journey from finding your business to making a purchase
  • Aligning your marketing goals with business objectives using criteria such as SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound
  • Prioritizing marketing goals that can have the most significant impact on your business and determining where you can set yourself apart

2. Verify and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

A customer’s first impression of a company often stems from viewing its Google Business Profile, or similar listing platforms such as Bing Places for Business. Optimizing each platform is important, but Google Business Profile should be a top priority as reveo.com states that 97% of users discover local businesses online, primarily through Google Business Profile.

Meanwhile, around 64% of consumers use a Google Business Profile to find contact details for a company. Those with a complete listing are 7x more likely to generate clicks. To optimize your Google Business Profile, businesses should: 

  • Simply claim and verify their profile
  • Ensure that listing items like business name, address and phone number (NAP) are accurate
  • Update things like hours, categories and services
  • Upload high-quality, up-to-date photos
  • Add booking, ordering or messaging features
  • Post updates with events, offers or product features

A complete Google Business Profile can be particularly beneficial when it comes to voice or mobile queries, as it may increase visibility in “near me” searches and on Google Maps. According to reveo.com, about 72% of searchers will visit a business that is within five miles of their location, further highlighting the importance of appearing near the top of local search results.

3. Optimize Your Website With Hyperlocal SEO Techniques

First and foremost, businesses should make sure they have a website that provides consumers with a seamless and positive experience. According to Forbes, 88% of users won’t return to a site after a bad experience, while 57% of users won’t recommend a business with a poorly-designed website. 

From there, fine-tuning the site with better SEO practices can help your business appear higher in search results. This can be done by:

  • Creating landing pages for each location or service area
  • Including keywords in meta descriptions, titles, headers and content
  • Embedding Google Maps on your contact page
  • Adding code to your website’s HTML that helps search engines better understand the content on your pages, also known as schema markup
  • Putting yourself in position to earn backlinks from other websites with quality and informative content like blog posts, tips or guides
  • Building citations in directories like Yelp, Bing Places and Apple Maps

Descriptive keywords can prove beneficial when it comes to appearing in search results. Rather than just “restaurants,” customers will often search for something more specific like, “best Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago open now.”

4. Prioritize Reputation Management

Reputation management involves actively monitoring and impacting how your business or brand is perceived in the digital space. By updating listings and tracking reviews, a company puts itself in a better position to be chosen by a customer. Businesses can enhance reputation management by:

  • Making sure all listing information is complete and accurate
  • Adding your business to more directories for additional visibility such as Yelp, Yellow Pages or chamber of commerce websites
  • Creating a review generation strategy through email, SMS or in-store signage
  • Setting up alerts to be made aware of new reviews
  • Responding promptly and professionally to all reviews, positive or negative
  • Promoting and encouraging reviews to customers on Google, Facebook or industry-specific platforms

Reputation management is one of the most significant parts of a company’s digital success. According to Bright Local, 89% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a business that responds to all reviews, positive and negative.

5. Engage Your Audience on Social Media

Social media remains one of the most powerful tools for enhancing the visibility of a business. Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram are two of the most popular social media hubs, as demandsage.com reports that Facebook has 2.11 billion active daily users globally, while Instagram has over 2 billion active monthly users. 

Overall, a strong social media presence can build trust, encourage word-of-mouth and promote community engagement. Businesses should optimize their social media marketing efforts by:

  • Choosing which platforms to utilize based on where your audience spends the most time, with Facebook ideal for community engagement, and Instagram best utilized for visual content, as well as timely, interactive posts that can engage followers
  • Optimizing bios with local keywords and calls-to-action (CTAs)
  • Linking your website and appointment pages 
  • Posting geo-targeted content with consistent branding
  • Sharing engaging content, such as behind-the-scenes stories, customer or employee profiles, product spotlights, seasonal promotions or tutorial videos
  • Using business-specific tools like Instagram Shopping or Facebook Events
  • Responding to all comments and direct messages
  • Joining local Facebook groups or forums
  • Running giveaways with other local businesses
  • Attempting to collaborate with neighborhood influencers or creators
  • Using local hashtags and location stickers

Most social media platforms provide tools for hyperlocal targeting, giving businesses opportunities to engage with potential consumers who are close by and might be ready to make a purchase. 

Also of note is the emergence of short-form video when it comes to social media marketing, with 73% of consumers using short-form videos when searching for new products or services, according to firework.com. Short-form interactive videos also have the potential to increase conversions by up to 80%.

6. Leverage Local Paid Digital Advertising

It’s important for businesses to do all they can to help potential consumers find them organically. However, paid advertising can prove to be one of the biggest drivers toward conversions for small and local businesses, particularly for those that are just starting out. No matter your budget, some form of digital advertising is crucial to drive foot traffic and website visits. Businesses should look to:

  • Create display ads on Google for increased visibility
  • Utilize Meta Ads through Facebook and Instagram, platforms that are both beneficial for geotargeting
  • Take advantage of promoted posts on platforms like Yelp or Nextdoor
  • Retarget potential consumers who have visited your website with local offers
  • Promote events, flash sales or holiday-specific campaigns

Google Ads and Meta Ads dominate the landscape. Google Ads are present on Google Display Network, featuring a group of over 2 million websites, videos and apps that reach about 90% of internet users worldwide. 

Meanwhile, 74% of consumers claim to use Meta’s platforms to discover brands or products online. Pairing a strong ad campaign strategy with a quality online presence and strong social media engagement can be a game-changer for businesses when it comes to increasing conversions.

7. Combine Print Advertising With Digital Efforts

Digital advertising will often be the top focus for many businesses in this day in age, but print advertising still holds significant value, especially when targeting a local audience. To drive foot traffic and keep their brand top of mind through print, businesses should:

  • Print and display branded business cards, flyers and postcards, and distribute them locally
  • Keep signage visible and updated through items like banners or window decals
  • Advertise in neighborhood newsletters, magazines or newspapers
  • Use direct mail campaigns targeting specific neighborhoods
  • Include QR codes that link to your website, social media platforms or Google review page
  • Partner with neighboring businesses for cross-promotion
  • Sponsor local sports teams or community programs
  • Offer “mention this ad” discounts on direct mail advertisements

According to Office Dasher, print ads still have a higher recall rate compared to digital ads, while 82% of consumers still trust print ads the most when making a purchasing decision. Print and digital advertising efforts don’t necessarily need to be equal when it comes to advertising budget. However, they should complement each other while creating greater brand visibility and targeting customers at multiple touchpoints.

8. Build and Nurture a Local Email List

Turning back to digital, email remains one of the greatest tools to reach consumers and increase customer retention. That makes building and utilizing a local email list of potential consumers and existing customers important. This can be done through:

  • Collecting emails via in-store prompts, website pop ups or events
  • Segmenting the list by customer interest or location
  • Sending newsletters with local updates, promotions and loyalty rewards
  • Utilizing tools that help businesses build, manage and automate email lists while tracking performance
  • Testing different versions of your email campaigns to see what works best, and analyzing results
  • Introducing loyalty or rewards programs to further grow your customer base and encourage repeat purchases 

One of the best strategies for email campaigns involves personalization. Tailoring a message to specific customers or audiences creates a higher likelihood of that message being opened. Adobe for Business notes that emails with a personalized subject line have a 20% higher open rate than those with generic subject lines. Personalized emails have also produced a 139% increase in click rate.

9. Implement Mobile-Friendly, Localized Website Features

The frequency of consumers finding businesses and purchasing from them through mobile continues to increase, as 76% of adults in the United States use a smartphone to shop or buy online, with over 30% doing so on a weekly basis, according to Capital One Shopping

While it is important to ensure things are optimized across all platforms, there are some specific items that businesses should prioritize to give themselves a better chance of converting mobile users, including:

  • Ensuring a responsive and fast loading design
  • Adding click-to-call and map integration
  • Using customer testimonials from local patrons
  • Displaying key information like hours, address and offers prominently on their home page
  • Using live chat or AI bots for real-time assistance

As mentioned when optimizing your Google Business Profile, “near me” searches are commonplace for mobile users. After appearing in these searches, it is important the steps above are implemented to keep potential customers around and interested in your product or service.

10. Sponsor and Participate In Community Events

Once a balance is struck between digital, print and social media strategies, businesses can also look to increase visibility through some extra steps, such as getting involved in community outings by:

  • Sponsoring school events and fundraisers
  • Setting up booths at local markets or festivals
  • Hosting workshops and classes that are relevant to your business
  • Partnering with other local businesses on collaborative events

Doing these things further strengthens your brand and may also encourage greater word-of-mouth promotion. In addition, it gives businesses a trusted image within the community, likely translating to increased loyalty and customer retention.

11. Embrace AI and Automation Tools

It’s no secret that AI has continued to play a greater role within the business world in recent years. Businesses don’t need to completely rely on AI when implementing a marketing strategy, but it is worth exploring the benefits it can provide, including:

  • Content creation for things like blog posts or ad copy
  • Automation of email sequences and appointment reminders
  • Providing chatbots to handle real-time FAQs
  • Helping leverage analytics for future campaign planning

Being able to hand off smaller and perhaps time-consuming details to AI allows businesses to focus greater resources on more significant parts of their marketing strategy, a benefit that can help foster growth.

12. Analyze Performance and Adjust Strategy

Any marketing strategy requires data analysis. This allows businesses to see what is working and what is not, and what they can potentially do to adjust or further optimize their marketing plan. Some key ways to track performance include:

  • Setting up your business on Google Analytics with location-based goals
  • Tracking Google Business Profile insights
  • Using UTM parameters to track effectiveness of individual campaigns
  • Discovering top performing keywords and adjusting content based on results
  • Scheduling regular reviews to adjust tactics and strategies
  • Analyzing unique visitors, page views, bounce rates and session duration on your website
  • Measuring cost-per-lead (CPL) and conversion rates within your marketing funnel
  • Tracking open rates, click-through rates (CTRs) and unsubscribes in email campaigns
  • Monitoring likes, comments, follows, shares and engagement rates on social media platforms
  • Evaluating ad performance through metrics like cost-per-click (CPC) and CTRs

Once these metrics are analyzed, businesses can adapt their marketing strategy accordingly in order to put themselves in the best position for continued growth.

How Best Version Media Can Help Achieve Your Marketing Goals

Best Version Media can help guide your business through several parts of this checklist and enhance your overall marketing strategy through management of your digital and print advertising solutions. Manage your listings and reviews from one convenient dashboard, reach potential customers through geo-targeted display and social media ads, and enter local homes within our neighborhood print publications.

Connect with BVM today to help grow your business through a convenient and effective local marketing strategy.

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Top 5 Reasons Local Businesses Fail at Digital Advertising (And How to Fix Them) https://www.bestversionmedia.com/top-5-reasons-local-businesses-fail-at-digital-advertising/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/?p=8026 Digital advertising isn’t a new concept, but it’s playing an increasingly vital role for local businesses year after year. According to Taradel’s 2023 Small Business Marketing Survey Report, which collected responses from 218 business professionals and advertisers, 94% of small businesses planned to maintain or increase their digital marketing budget in the new year. This […]

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Digital advertising isn’t a new concept, but it’s playing an increasingly vital role for local businesses year after year. According to Taradel’s 2023 Small Business Marketing Survey Report, which collected responses from 218 business professionals and advertisers, 94% of small businesses planned to maintain or increase their digital marketing budget in the new year.

This means that even if a digital marketing plan has worked in the past, other marketing efforts could surpass it as more businesses present competition. To stay ahead, it’s important to strengthen your digital presence proactively and avoid these five common pitfalls that can squander resources and ultimately cost you customers.

Wasting Your Marketing Budget

While large businesses have the luxury of significant marketing resources, local businesses typically face tighter financial constraints. As Taradel notes, “SMBs reported that their biggest marketing challenge is budget.”

That’s why making every dollar count is crucial for local business success. Digital advertising offers the flexibility to fit any budget while still delivering measurable results. However, selecting the right channels and strategies is key to maximizing that investment. If mismanaged, it could lead to fewer impressions and, as a result, fewer conversions into sales.

Don’t Exclude Audience Targeting in Digital Campaigns

The first step in building a strong digital footprint is investing in marketing your business. However, it’s just as important to recognize when your strategy isn’t delivering the desired results, so regularly evaluating the success of your efforts is essential. 

Taradel found that just 37% of small businesses believe their marketing campaigns are “somewhat effective,” while 22% rate them as “not effective.” When contrasted with the fact that only 11% say their approach is “highly effective,” it becomes clear that every small business should ensure its approach is the best for them.

Acknowledging when your current strategy isn’t working creates an opportunity to improve and prevent further setbacks for your business, and among the most effective methods of improvement is to prioritize audience targeting.

Taradel’s survey revealed that audience targeting is the biggest “pain point” when it comes to the execution of marketing strategies. Putting your business in front of the right audience can significantly boost conversions while making the most of every dollar invested. Whether your budget is big or small, regularly evaluating and optimizing your digital advertising efforts is critical to long-term success.

Ignoring Analytics When Tracking Performance

You may recognize that your marketing efforts are falling short of expectations, but how exactly can you measure performance to ensure improvements as changes are made? Tracking the effectiveness of your digital marketing campaigns through analytical data is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. It may seem simple, yet many local businesses neglect this tool.

Clutch reports that “over 52% of SMB decision-makers view data analytics tools as critical for growth, and 42% are prioritizing strengthening data-driven decision-making in 2025.”

Embracing the power of analytics can give you a leg up on the competition and help you make the most of your budget. In the ever-evolving digital landscape, local businesses can’t afford to ignore the value of tracking and evaluating their results.

Restricting Reach By Limiting Marketing Channels

Local businesses that rely on just one or two marketing channels risk significantly limiting their results. An effective digital advertising strategy leverages multiple platforms and geo-targeting to increase visibility and improve the chances of converting potential customers.

Facebook remains one of the most widely used marketing channels, and for good reason. According to Taradel’s survey, ~29% of small businesses reported that Facebook delivers the highest ROI, outperforming both digital and print alternatives. With 2.9 billion users, it’s the largest social media platform, making it an ideal starting point for local businesses launching their digital marketing efforts.

However, Taradel also revealed that “it takes 7 impressions to influence consumer purchasing decisions.” While Facebook can serve as a strong foundation, diversifying your approach by adding more channels can accelerate how quickly customers discover and engage with your brand.

Instagram is another platform consistently delivering results, but social media isn’t the only option. Google Ads and display advertising can extend your reach well beyond what Meta platforms alone can offer, while still taking advantage of audience targeting to optimize your marketing budget. 

Employing both Google ads and display advertising allows your business to appear across the internet for your highest value customers, even when they aren’t actively searching for what you offer.

When the goal is to get your business in front of as many potential customers in your local area as possible, using multiple marketing channels isn’t just a best practice; it’s essential.

Neglecting the Power of Outsourcing

By now, it’s clear how important it is for local businesses to maximize their digital advertising efforts. When you pair that with the need to manage your business’s online listings, it can feel overwhelming, and you’re not alone.

Marketing Charts found that “Lack of time is the leading reason why SMBs delay or procrastinate marketing tasks, particularly for posting on social media, entering/integrating data, and managing their email campaigns. Lack of knowledge is also a key reason for procrastination, and is more acutely felt in the areas of planning/creating a strategy and determining what is working/measuring performance.”

That’s why outsourcing is the best option for many business owners, as it frees them up to focus on their products, services and customers. 

Many local businesses have already chosen that route, and more are expected to follow suit. Clutch reported in 2024 that 84% of small businesses already outsource some operations, and 70% planned to increase outsourcing in 2025. 

This is a result of the growing marketing space that business owners can struggle to keep up with. Often, a specialized team is required to optimize resources, and that’s usually easier and cheaper to do with a hired service rather than in-house. 

Find Success With Your Digital Advertising Today

Best Version Media can be your one-stop shop for all your digital advertising needs. With over 13,000 digital campaigns and 3 billion annual impressions for local businesses, BVM has a proven track record of delivering results, no matter the budget.

From listings and reputation management to social media and display ad campaigns, BVM makes it easy to increase your online presence, all in one convenient dashboard. This means you can focus on what matters most, growing your business.
Contact BVM today to reach more customers in your community.

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Turning Stars into Sales: The Hidden Value in Your Online Reputation https://www.bestversionmedia.com/turning-stars-into-sales-the-hidden-value-in-your-online-reputation/ Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.bestversionmedia.com/?p=8023 Online presence has become increasingly important for businesses over the last several years. This includes listings and reviews, which are both key elements for success in today’s digital landscape. Customers utilize search engines every day to find a business that will fulfill their service or product needs. When it comes to listings, accurate and consistent […]

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Online presence has become increasingly important for businesses over the last several years. This includes listings and reviews, which are both key elements for success in today’s digital landscape.

Customers utilize search engines every day to find a business that will fulfill their service or product needs. When it comes to listings, accurate and consistent information is necessary to enhance consumer trust while turning clicks into conversions.

The same can be said for reviews, as a 2025 local consumer survey from Bright Local states that only 4% of consumers “never” read online business reviews. While many companies are focused on positive, five-star ratings, all reviews can prove beneficial to driving conversions. However, potential growth from reviews ultimately depends on reputation management.

The Power of Accurate Listings

Listings are essentially part of a digital phone book found via search engines, directories, maps and voice assistants. Each listing displays what a customer needs in order to make a decision on which business to choose, including basics like phone number, address, location and hours.

When a potential customer is searching for a product or service, they’re likely to choose a business with consistent and accurate listing information. According to synup.com, 70% of consumers will go to a store based on the information they find about a particular business online. The goal should be to look credible and trustworthy through online listings, while also being found easily for potential customers.

Perhaps just as important is the fact that accurate listings can help improve visibility. Through customer suggestions, interactions with the listings and direct updates from the business, a company has the opportunity to climb search engine rankings.

Why Reviews Can Also Improve Your Bottom Line

Reviews are also important when it comes to maintaining a strong online presence. While getting good reviews shows customer satisfaction, they also help promote visibility and trust.

Negative reviews may be viewed as blemishes for a business, but they actually can provide opportunity. According to Bright Local, 89% of consumers are more likely to use a business if it responds to all reviews, both positive and negative. Responding to negative reviews in a professional manner by addressing the concern and offering a resolution can not only help resolve that case with a specific customer, but can also strengthen loyalty and reputation. 

This directly correlates to reputation management, which influences how a business is viewed by the public through monitoring conversations and feedback such as reviews, responding to them, and taking steps to maintain and improve its image. Responding to reviews across all platforms can assist with reputation management.

Platforms That Are Key to Listings

Businesses may appear across hundreds of directories online, which can all prove important in regards to a consumer finding your company. Some of the most essential listing sites to focus on include:

Google Business Profile – This allows local customers to find your business in Google Search and Maps while being able to personalize your listing with photos, offers and posts. According to Google, customers are 2.7 times more likely to find a company with a complete Business Profile reputable. Consumers are also 70% more likely to visit a company with a complete Business Profile, and 50% more likely to consider purchasing from them.

Apple Maps – This is the default navigation tool for iPhone users. While not as popular as Google Maps, Reputation estimates that around 100 million people use Apple Maps in the United States, making it a valuable tool for your business to be found.

Bing Places for Business – This is a similar platform to Google Business Profile. Although impressiondigital.com estimates Bing to have 100 million daily users compared to one billion for Google, Bing Places for Business still gives companies an opportunity to target another large audience.

Yelp – A hub to find service providers, Yelp estimates that it has 2.5 million visitors daily, with 57% of users contacting a business that they found on the platform within one day. Yelp also claims that 82% of users hire or purchase from a business found on the platform within a week.

Platforms That Are Key to Reviews

Reviews can also appear in multiple places. Focusing on managing and responding to all reviews is key, particularly on some of the major platforms like:

Google – The most frequently used platform, with Bright Local noting that 83% of potential consumers come across business reviews on Google.

Yelp – Bright Local’s survey also mentions that 44% of consumers utilized Yelp for business reviews, with greater focus on service providers.

Facebook – Despite being down from recent years, 40% of consumers still utilize reviews on Facebook in 2025, which offers recommendations and allows businesses to directly interact with potential customers.

Industry-specific review sites are also important, such as TripAdvisor for hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions, or Healthgrades for medical and healthcare facilities.

The Importance of “Near Me” Searches

When a consumer is seeking a local product or service, “near me” searches become common, particularly on mobile devices. “Restaurants near me,” “dentists near me” or “plumbers near me” are all typical search engine queries.

According to Blue Tone Media, “near me” searches have increased by 500% in recent years, with 76% of consumers who conduct a “near me” search on mobile visiting a related business within a day, further highlighting the importance of appearing in search results.

For better chances to appear in “near me” searches, businesses should be sure to include keywords in their business description, such as “boutique clothing store” or “24/7 plumber.” They should also ensure their location is accurate on maps, encourage and respond to reviews, and add high-quality photos and service/product details.

A “near me” search typically signals that consumers are ready to take action, often looking for the fastest or best option in their area. Ranking high in search results can help businesses be among the first to appear in “near me” searches, aided through things like updating your listings and responding to reviews. 

How Best Version Media Can Boost Your Online Presence

Best Version Media helps businesses increase their online presence through listings, reviews and reputation management. BVM makes it easy for customers to find and trust your business with accurate listings and managed reviews across directories, maps and search engines — all from one dashboard.

BVM offers social media and display ad campaign bundles, while also helping maintain reputation management. This will help ensure that your company will grow its online presence, have the opportunity to rank higher in search results and ultimately increase its bottom line.

Connect with BVM today to create a marketing strategy that fits your needs.

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