Do Online Business Reviews Really Help?

They are everywhere, just type a business name into Google and you are bound to get reviews from numerous websites. I used to think they would hurt local businesses, because there are a lot of negative people out there, and sometimes they can make an OK experience seem really bad. Plus, they are after all just one persons opinion, and that doesn't necessarily mean you will feel the same way. After a couple recent experiences however, I am beginning to believe that reading online reviews before going to a new place isn't a bad idea. 

I guess it could be stereotyping when I say that the best reviews come from the best writers. If there are 20 words, and 5 of them are spelled wrong bashing on a business I tend to overlook that review. When someone takes the time to write an in depth example of how and why they feel the way they do, don't swear, and use the spell check button, I am more likely to consider what they have to say.

The other thing I look for when using online reviews is trends. If there are 25 reviews and 24 of them are positive, then that business is probably a safe bet. The same goes for the opposite, if everyone feels bad, I would stay away from that business. But, make sure there is a definite trend before assuming that the review is accurate. If there are only two reviews and they are the same, I wouldn't consider that a trend, and would probably throw those reviews out until that business got a few more. Finally, you can't assume that if the reviews are half good and half bad, that the business is bad. Again, these are opinions, and most likely it appeals to a certain type of person and not another.

My experiences over the last month led me to these ways of thinking.

The first experience was before I read any reviews. So, I have been thinking about adopting a puppy over the last few months for my kids. We have looked a shelters and humane societies, but there just aren't many puppies right now. Finally we gave in and decided to go check out a pet store or two. Our friend Google directed us to a pet store in Loveland that has been there for many years that claimed to have puppies. So we went. Worst experience I have had in any business in a long time! From filth, and poor living conditions for the animals, to a pushy very rude owner/operator, the business would have received a 0 on a 1-10 rating scale from me. So after leaving disgusted, I decided to look at some reviews online to see if I was the only one who felt this way. I wasn't. it was actually overwhelming. Hundreds and hundreds of reviews, 99% bad. People feeling and describing the same things I saw and felt. If I had looked at the reviews beforehand I would have never ended up in a bad business.

The second experience was quite different. Looking for a new place to eat, I again went to trusty old Google for help. Along with the names of restaurants in the town i was looking for also came reviews of course. There was an Italian restaurant, that I had driven by numerous times, and always turned my head to because it looked kind of shady, listed on Google. I read reviews, which were majority good, but still not what I would call trending. We decided spaghetti sounded good, and it was worth a shot. Turned out to be great all the way around. Great food, an owner who is in shop and stops by to talk and thank every guest, and even saw that we had kids and gave us a free desert! It was wonderful, and now I know I will be back, and I will definitely be sending people I know to experience this great place too.

So, back to the question... Do online business reviews really help? My answer... Sometimes. In my opinion they are definitely worth looking at if you are going to a new place, but make sure you consider the things I talked about earlier, and never let a single review convince you of anything. Remember, everyone has an opinion, including you, so don't always steal others, make your own!