I had to turn this feature off. For some reason we get lots of messages either for a service we don’t do or are clearly outside our service area. If we don’t respond in a timely manner then our response time takes a hit. What a joke. Why can’t I report these to Yelp as not being relevant? And why is it this only happens in email, the people who call don’t ask if we replace roofs!
Our Yelp referrals are also down because instead of seeing 6 businesses now you can only see 3 if they all have request a quote enabled! Plus one will be a duplicate because of their paid placement at the top. I understand why they want to show the same business twice, but now it takes 2/3 of the screen if they are #1.
On a brighter note, they seem to have cut way back on the sales calls. Have not heard from them in 2 months.
I’ve been getting a call from a saleswoman from them for a few months now. I keep missing our ‘phone meeting’. I use yelp pretty often, but I’m just not sure its where I would go for a service business. I’m open to seeing what she says, but I’m also working hard on my Google Reviews right now. I think they will play a bigger role in the future, but that’s just me speculating.
I wouldn’t say so. You dont have to advertise with Yelp. Seems to be a pretty powerful tool.
Say someone moves into your area, doesn’t know a soul, but needs their windows cleaned. Who do you think they call first, your competitor which is a shot in the dark, or you who has dozens of their neighbors raving about you?
EDDM, yard signs, truck lettering is what seems to work for me. Very rural area.
I think Yelp/Google reviews work best to close the sale. Customer sees your flyer and considers but is a little nervous to use someone for the first time. When they see their neighbors have used you and are in love it makes it that much easier for them to pick up the phone.
Its like a product review. I pretty much always at least briefly check out the reviews for a product I’m thinking of buying. 100’s of 5 star reviews? Sold.
"It’s like a product review. I pretty much always at least briefly check out the reviews for a product I’m thinking of buying. 100’s of 5 star reviews? Sold."
I’m the same way.
Nope! It depends on how competitive your market is I suppose. Say, a guy in Seattle might have 30 reviews, but won’t even be on the first page, which is where there might be value in advertising and getting your company at the top.
If you’re the only guy in town, all you need is one review and they put you right at the top.
I literally just read about that. I think that’s a good sign for us in the service industry that these referral companies are having trouble staying solvent.
