If you want to make an informed purchase decision, it’s a good idea to check reviews left by previous customers. Online reviews can give you valuable insights into the quality and reliability of a business’ offerings. Furthermore, going through these reviews will tell you what kind of customer service you’re likely to experience.
If you’re looking to check out genuine reviews for a business you will be purchasing from or visiting soon, these websites can help.
Yelp is a free review site that allows customers to rate businesses on a five-point scale. While you will need to set up a profile on Yelp to write reviews, you’re able to read them for free. The types of businesses reviewed on Yelp include restaurants, bars, dry cleaners, and salons, among others.
If you want to read the reviews for a particular business, all you need to do is key in its name in Yelp’s search bar. Apart from the reviews, you’ll also be able to view the business’ contact details, address, and whether abusiness requires proof of vaccination.
Some businesses even have messaging via Yelp enabled, so you can get in touch with a rep directly through the platform.
2.Google Reviews
Formerly known as Google My Business, Google Business Profile allows entrepreneurs to list their businesses on the search engine. This gives customers the ability to look up essential information about a business, like its address, hours, and contact number, among other things. More importantly, customers can also gauge a business’ trustworthiness and customer service by reading reviews.
To look up a business' Google reviews, all you need to do is search for the name of the business on Google’s search engine or Maps. You can access these reviews without having to sign in to your Google account. However, you’ll need to be logged in if you want towrite a review.
When looking up a business’ reviews on Google, make sure to sort byNewestif you want to know what the latest reviews have been like. A number of recent positive reviews is a good sign, while the opposite may be a red flag.
3.Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau (BBB) is one of the best ways to check how reliable a business is. The bureau’s mission is to foster marketplace trust, which it achieves by grading businesses based on their performance and trustworthiness. What’s more, since BBB acts as an intermediary, customers can review businesses andpublish any complaintsthey might have on the platform.
So, whether you’re looking to hire a new realtor in the area or an out-of-state lawyer you’re not familiar with, it’s a good idea to check the BBB profile of the business or professional.
Businesses that are registered on BBB are typically given a rating on a scale of A to F, with a higher rating indicating better reliability and performance, and vice versa.
4.ConsumerAffairs
If you’re looking to make a purchase from a business or apply to a lender for a loan, ConsumerAffairs is a great resource to help you make an informed decision.
The platform uses a multifaceted approach to consumer education. This includes a combination of expertly written buyer’s guides and articles, a collection of real consumer reviews, and a repository of importantbusiness news.
By accessing the reviews and opinions of other consumers, you can gain valuable insights into the reliability of services and the quality of products offered by businesses.
What’s more, if you read the reviews and decide that a certain company’s services are not suitable for your needs, you may explore similarly-rated competitors on the platform.
5.Foursquare
Foursquare is a location-based business review platform that compiles userreviews for restaurants, bars, parks, and various other establishments across cities. This platform can be especially useful if you’re looking to make an important dinner reservation or even uncover hidden local gems.
By tapping into the insights of fellow patrons, you’ll have a better idea of an establishment’s service quality, menu offerings, ambiance, and highlights.
Customers also typically upload photos of establishments to support their reviews. This can help you visualize the experience and make a more informed decision. Furthermore, once you’ve signed up for the site, you can also follow local experts and friends to see the places they’ve visited and recommended.
6.Glassdoor
Glassdoor is an employee-centric platform that offers authenticreviews about working conditionsin different organizations.
Besides reviews, users can also check salary data, interview insights, and information regarding company benefits on the platform.
That said, Glassdoor doesn’t just cater to employees. The platform can also come in handy if you are considering doing business with a company, since you’re likely to get a pretty good idea about the business’ reputation and overall reliability through the reviews.
A company with numerous negative reviews may be a red flag and could indicate trouble. So, whether you’re looking for your next career opportunity or are trying to find a credible, upstanding business to engage with, Glassdoor is a great resource.
7.Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is a greatplatform for travelers, given that it lists comprehensive reviews about various types of businesses across the world, from hotels to restaurants to cruises and more.
Looking up a certain business on the platform will help you access its address and contact details, map location, and, most importantly, reviews left by its customers. The platform also allows you to dig deeper by searching for specific reviews.
For instance, if you want to know how good the breakfast at a restaurant is, you can simply type the keyword “breakfast” in the review search bar, so only relevant reviews are populated. This user-friendly approach can help you access quick feedback and insights, helping you make decisions that suit your preferences.
Make Informed Decisions With Review Platforms
Thanks to these business-review platforms, making informed decisions as a consumer is pretty easy. That said, while reviews can give you genuine insights into what you can expect from a business, it’s important to take what you read with a grain of salt.
Reviews reflect an individual’s experience that may not apply to you. What’s more, there’s also a chance that what you’re reading is a fake review left to undermine a business’ reputation or oversell a product or service. So, while reviews serve as a good starting point, ensure to also trust your own judgment and consider different perspectives before making a decision.
