How Important Are Customer Reviews?

[Blue Wren]

Source

 

[chris]

Thanks for sharing Ian!

 

[Cooper Mills DomainLawyer]

nice infographic - I always look for reviews from trusted sources before making a purchase

 

[Jamie-AU]

The problem with some customer reviews is that you may get ones that appear to be totally at odds with each other due to differences in people's expectations and their attitude. Accommodation reviews on TripAdvisor are classic examples. Someone will praise the hotel they stay at and compliment the staff, then another reviewer will complain the room was awful and the manager was rude.

 

[Tom]

Thanks so much for posting these facts. Most useful!

 

[Mat]

Thanks for the info graph.

Personally, I just see honest reviews as a form of word of mouth. As these are the strongest of recommendations and advertising. It just makes sense to have such reviews online.

While they aren't as powerful as your typical word of mouth, due to the reader not actually knowing the person whom made the review, they are certainly stronger than forms of self-edification. Especially when the person reading the views notes, that there are multiple reviews spread out in a natural progression. eg, reviews with varying dates over time (months and years, not days) and with unique and natural phrasing.