Yelp.com For Business Owners - What it is and Why its Important

We all like to be complimented for a job well done. ItMarch 2009 (that's 5.9 million visitors in March 2009
not only feels good, it also helps spur us on to continuealone). Need I say more?
performing. Best of all, compliments from satisfiedWhy is successful: The social aspect of Yelp is, in my
customers are some of the best advertisements aopinion, the key to the website's success. Whenever I
business can hope for. What better way to let theread a review on Yelp, I can quickly and easily check
world know how well the company is doing than byall of the reviews that person has left. This makes it
publicizing good compliments on our companyeasy for me to "judge" reviewers and decide if their
website?opinions and perspectives are in keeping with my own.
Testimonials about your company are good, yes, butIf I find a reviewer that leaves good reviews, I'm very
when you really think about it, what company in theirlikely to follow their advice and recommendations.
right mind would publish a negative comment on theirHow your business can benefit from Yelp.com: Believe
company website? When you read other websiteit or not, Yelp gives you the chance to list your
testimonials, do you wonder if you're only getting halfbusiness for free. Since so many people are using to
of the story? This is where comes in - to help peoplefind businesses, this is a great source of free
find compliments and testimonials about businessesadvertising. Not only that, but positive reviews about
that they can trust.your business that are left on Yelp can send a lot of
What is: is a website that allows users to search forcustomers your way.
and then rave, rate, and critique a business. TheHow can hurt you: Bad reviews, of course. Reviews
possibilities are endless. You can review your favoritearen't moderated on Yelp, so if an unhappy customer
bookstore, favorite restaurant, even your family doctor.leaves you a scathing review, you'll have to deal with it.
But is more than a simple review website - it's also aYelp does give you a chance to respond to reviews,
social networking site where people can make friends,however, so make the most of it. Be honest if your
compare favorites businesses, and more. Whilebusiness made a mistake, and do your best to fix the
originally became well-known as a source of accurateproblem for the future. Take the high road no matter
restaurant reviews, it is becoming a haven for reviewswhat you do when responding to a bad review.
on just about any type of consumer orientedIf you haven't done so already, it's time to check out
company.Yelp Offers Business Owners Minor Risk Yet Big
Why is important: Yelp is growing more popular withRewards!
every second. QuantCast.com, which ranks websiteCheck out Spork Marketing for more small business
popularity, states that the site has almost doubled itsmarketing information, advice, and tips.
traffic in the months between October 2008 and