Many businesses owners, particularly restaurant owners despise Yelp. It is a forum for customers to either praise your business or drag it through the mud. This is why many local businesses try to avoid adding Yelp to their social media strategy, but we are here to tell you that you should embrace it.

We know it can be hard to listen to what patrons have to say about your pride and joy, but it is important to listen and respond. Yelp plays a big role in your ability to increase revenue, even reservations. So, if those reasons aren’t enough to convince you that Yelp is an essential part of your Social Media Strategy, we are to convince you it is.

Brand Reputation

One of the most important reasons to pay attention to your yelp, is to help sustain your brand’s reputation. When a potential customer decides to Google your restaurant, there is a good chance Yelp will be one of the first websites that pops up. When that potential customer clicks on Yelp, you will want to make sure that all reviews are answered, the good and the bad. Customers will like to see that the manager takes pride in their business and truly cares about making positive changes. This is something that doesn’t always come across on your Facebook business page, and is why Yelp should play an important role in your social media strategy.

Leads

If you have ever dabbled in Facebook leads for your business, you know it can seem hit or miss. Yelp however is a little easier. Every time someone calls, asks for directions, etc. that is logged as a Yelp lead. For businesses like restaurants that won’t run Facebook lead gens, this is a great tool that is able to track actual leads. The important thing to keep in mind is the better your Yelp reputation, the more leads you will see.

Increased Revenue

The goal of most businesses is to see an increase in revenue. One of the best ways to drive revenue is by paying close attention to your Yelp reviews and ratings. According to a study done by the Harvard Business School , “a one-star increase in Yelp rating leads to a 5-9 percent increase in revenue.” This is a huge win for businesses… if your rating is high. For those who have a lower star rating on Yelp, it is important to use your social media channels to help increase positive reviews, which will lead to an increase in stars and revenue for your local business.

Now that you have heard the reasons for adding Yelp to your Social Media Strategy, are you ready to apply good social practices to your Facebook business page? One of the best ways to drive new reviews is by first letting customers know you are on Yelp. Post up a great review with a link and ask your customers to share their experiences, or run an easy promotion like… Share your story with us on Yelp and receive $5 off your next dining purchase! These little additions to your social media strategy could have a great impact. Just remember to answer reviews in a timely fashion and even private message those who have had a negative experience. This attention to customer service tends to go over well with most customers even if they left a 1 or 2 star review. So, get out there and spread the word about your Yelp page and see how this platform can help your brand see true growth!