+1-800-298-3165
New research underpins the value of free customer reviews
Ilya Nasedkin • 11 December 2018
The eighth annual Local Consumer Review Survey has been released this week with some interesting findings for all business owners. Conducted by BrightLocal, the survey focuses on consumer attitudes to online reviews and it sheds some interesting light on the importance of reviews going into 2019. The findings are a must read, especially if your business website is an ecommerce design.Here, we’ve summarised the key data and conclusions to help you stay on track for success in the New Year.
1. Reviews are now more important than ever If you were in any doubt as to how important reviews actually are, the 2018 Local Consumer Review Survey has a definitive answer with the finding that 91% of consumers now trust online reviews as much as they do a personal recommendation from someone they know. 2. More and more consumers only read reviews less than two weeks old We know that reviews are important, but did you know that keeping reviews fresh is really important? An average of 40% of consumers will only read reviews that are less than two weeks old. This proportion increases to a huge 64% for those in the 18-34 year old age bracket – so if your web site is targeted at Millennials or Generation Z shoppers, you’ll need to have a very strong review acquisition process with a steady influx of new reviews daily. 3. Most consumers disregard reviews older than three months While the younger demographic often won’t read reviews that are more than two weeks old, a massive 84% of consumers disregard reviews older than three months entirely. With old reviews just not being considered relevant any more, it’s crucial to stay on top of new reviews and continue to prompt customers to leave feedback following each purchase. 4. Consumers read a lot of reviews before trusting you The survey determined that the average consumer will read 10 online reviews before feeling that they can trust your business and over half (57%) will only do business with you if you have a minimum of a four-star rating. 5. Shoppers monitor your responses It’s not just important to have a steady stream of new reviews, of four-star ratings or higher – 89% of consumers also read your responses to the reviews you receive. The speed you respond to reviews has been recognised as an SEO ranking factor for a while now but, shopper consideration of your responses makes this of even higher importance.
Share this post:
Recent Posts
For modern entrepreneurs, building a sustainable business model is no longer just about chasing the next big sale. The future belongs to recurring revenue — a model that allows you to earn predictable, ongoing income month after month. And for those looking to build freedom, flexibility, and financial stability, it’s a game-changer.
For anyone launching a digital agency today, the smartest move is to start with a business-in-a-box solution like Eazi-Business. It’s not just a tool—it’s a complete solution built to help entrepreneurs hit the ground running, even with no prior tech experience. Here’s the streamlined, modern tech stack Eazi-Business recommends for new agency owners:
Your homepage is your agency’s first handshake. If it’s unclear, cluttered, or generic—you’re losing potential clients in seconds. Here's what your homepage actually needs to convert visitors into leads. 1. A Headline That Tells Them What You Do “Helping local businesses grow with mobile apps and digital tools.” Make it specific, client-focused, and benefit-driven. If it could apply to anyone, it applies to no one. 2. A Strong Subheadline That Builds Trust “Trusted by 1,000+ entrepreneurs across 20 countries.” This is your social proof shortcut. Numbers work. So do logos and testimonials. 3. A Visual That Shows the Result Use mockups, screenshots, or lifestyle photos. Help visitors see what they’ll get—a mobile app, a dashboard, a website, a client smiling. 4. A Short List of Benefits (Not Features) Launch your digital presence fast No tech skills required Support and tools included Keep it tight. Think “what’s in it for me?” from the client’s point of view. 5. A Clear Call to Action (CTA) “Book a free call” “Get your launch pack” “See what’s possible” CTAs should stand out visually and be repeated 2–3 times on the page. 6. A Simple Contact Form or Button Make it easy to get in touch or book. Remove friction. Don’t ask for more than name, email, and one question. Pro tip: You don’t need to design from scratch. The Eazi-Business Business-in-a-Box gives you ready-made homepage templates with proven structure, persuasive copy blocks, and branding flexibility. Use our pre-built website framework to launch with confidence and convert faster.
