Online Review Building Tips for 2025: How to Boost Your Business with Customer Feedback
The role of online reviews in influencing buyers’ decisions has continued to grow exponentially. As we head into 2025, businesses must leverage reviews more strategically than ever. A 2024 study by Podium revealed that over 70% of consumers check online reviews at least once a week, highlighting their growing importance in the modern marketplace. Online reviews enhance credibility and boost conversions, making them vital to any digital marketing strategy. To help you stay ahead, here are the top tips for building a strong online review presence in 2025.
How Online Reviews Affect Conversions
According to BrightLocal’s 2024Local Consumer Review Survey, 93% of millennials and Gen Z (ages 18-35) trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. These reviews serve as a form of social proof that increases customer confidence. Positive reviews showcase the value of your product or service, while negative reviews can significantly impact potential buyers’ trust.
Here are some key takeaways from the latest BrightLocal survey:
- 88% of consumers read reviews for local businesses.
- On average, consumers read 12 reviews before trusting a local business.
- 42% of consumers only consider reviews from the past two weeks.
- 59% of consumers will only engage with companies with an average rating of at least four stars or higher.
- 92% of consumers read businesses’ responses to reviews.
Given their impact, building and managing online reviews has become essential to digital marketing in 2025.
Top Tips for Building Reviews in 2025
- Provide Outstanding Customer Service
Exceptional customer service is the foundation of positive reviews. While you may not always have control over every product detail, delivering memorable and positive customer interactions is within your reach. This includes clear communication, prompt follow-ups, and personalized experiences. Ensuring employees are trained to handle customer concerns with care and empathy is essential. If satisfied customers are far more likely to leave a positive review, their reputation can be elevated online.
- Optimize for Key Review Platforms
In 2025, there are even more platforms where customers can leave reviews—beyond just Google or Yelp, Industry-specific sites like Trustpilot TripAdvisor or social platforms like Facebook and Instagram are vital. It is essential to understand which platforms are popular within your industry and optimize your presence on them. Build profiles where necessary, ensure accurate contact details, and regularly engage with users on these platforms.
- Monitor Reviews with AI-Driven Tools
Consistent monitoring of reviews has never been more critical. In 2025, advanced AI-driven tools like Reputology, Podium, and Yext will allow businesses to track and manage reviews across multiple platforms more efficiently. These tools can notify you of new reviews, sentiment shifts, or fake reviews, enabling you to respond quickly. Responding promptly—whether to positive or negative feedback—helps build trust and shows that you value your customers’ input.
- Engage on Social Media for Reviews
Social media has become a key player in the online review ecosystem. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become central for user-generated content, such as photos or videos, which function as reviews. Restaurants, for example, can benefit significantly from the visual nature of Instagram reviews, where customers post images of their meals. In 2025, monitoring these platforms for direct reviews and user mentions of your brand is crucial.
- Request Reviews the Right Way
It’s acceptable—and often recommended—to request reviews, but each platform has its guidelines. For instance, Yelp still discourages solicited reviews, while Google allows businesses to request reviews as long as they aren’t exclusively asking for positive feedback. The key in 2025 is transparency and respect when asking for reviews. You can request reviews via email, at the end of a transaction, or by including a call-to-action on receipts. Many businesses also utilize QR codes to make it easier for customers to leave reviews on the spot.
- Personalize Review Requests with Specific Questions
By asking customers specific questions, you can help guide their responses. For example, a restaurant might ask, “Did you enjoy our new outdoor seating area?” This encourages reviews and helps highlight particular features or services you want to promote. These targeted reviews can enhance your search engine optimization (SEO) by increasing the use of relevant keywords in customer feedback.
The Bottom Line
Online reviews are critical to conversions and overall business success in 2025. Positive reviews build trust, influence purchasing decisions, and enhance SEO, which is key to staying competitive in today’s market. Implementing these tips will help your business attract positive feedback and boost conversions.
Follow Lounge Lizard’s blog for more actionable tips on enhancing your digital marketing strategy in 2025.
