This summer, small business owners say business is booming, with 59 percent anticipating their revenue to increase over the next 12 months, 67 percent looking to expand and 24 percent planning to hire in the year ahead, according to our spring 2019 Bank of America Small Business Owner Report.

The survey, which explores the perspectives, aspirations and concerns of business owners across the country, revealed that a majority of business owners believe technology is a key contributor to their growth. Nearly two out of three entrepreneurs report that online reviews specifically are important to the success of their business, and 80 percent say a positive online review has led to a new business opportunity. Word of mouth has long been key to small business success, and online reviews provide a new,relevant channel to do so. That said, while more respondents say online reviews are more helpful than not, there is also awareness of the damage a negative write-up can have. Of those who have had a negative online review, nearly one-third say it led to a loss of business.

In the digital era, customer compliments and criticisms – whether on social platforms or online review sites – hold tremendous sway. Here are a few tips on making the most of the positive reviews, as well as mitigating the impact of negative ones:

• Remember, the process starts before a review is even written. Whether good or bad, online reviews stem from everyday customer interactions. As these occur, encourage your staff to keep notes of why an experience was either positive or negative. If a customer is complimentary, take advantage of the moment by asking them to share that feedback in a review or social platform. If a customer recommends an improvement, write it down and make a point to follow up. By taking notes you’ll have a cheat sheet should a customer comment online, enabling you to respond accurately and quickly.
• Have a response plan for negative reviews. According to the Bank of America survey, a majority of business owners who’ve had a negative online review believe responding as soon as possible is key to mitigating impact. And the key to a timely response is having a plan. Think about the most likely comments you’d get and write sample responses to keep on file. While every comment scenario will be unique, you’ll at least have a head start on a response and can customize accordingly. To avoid getting into a back and forth, consider a response that addresses the issue and recommends moving the conversation offline.
• Monitor platforms to track what’s said – and respond.A major benefit of online reviews is that, as a business owner, you can respond directly and in your own voice. Look to engage with comments of all kinds, showing appreciation for positive feedback and approaching negative reviews with humility and a resolution in mind.
• Amplify the positive on social media. A rave review is a huge boon for your business. To extend the reach of these testimonials, create a template including the text of the review and a picture of the product or service to be shared for your social channels. If available, provide a link back to the product or service when posting the review on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or in your Instagram bio. This type of amplification is essentially free marketing.

Entrepreneurs must embrace the world of online reviews and learn to strategically use them to their advantage. As small business owners anticipate a year of steady growth, embracing online reviews as a tool in a marketing kit can be helpful in achieving these plans.

Editor’s Note: For more research findings on the small business landscape, please click here.