Transparency is becoming more relevant to consumers. Emphasis on transparency has been placed on...

Transparency is becoming more relevant to consumers. The importance of transparency can largely be attributed to the access to vast amounts of information about any business. Nowadays, it's no surprise that consumers research a business before purchasing a product or service. In fact, nearly 88% of consumers have read reviews to determine the quality of a local business. A significant portion of this research is often conducted through Google.

To truly highlight the business implications of Google, a similar survey reported that 72% of consumers were amazed that positive reviews made them trust a local business more than they might have otherwise. This provides an excellent opportunity for local businesses to gain a competitive edge over the next business by collecting Google reviews. Conversely, promptly addressing negative reviews creates a sense of urgency, which continues to build customer trust.