Review platforms can help you build trust with your audience, improve online visibility, and gain a competitive edge.
To choose the right review platform(s) for your business, consider:
- Which platforms are popular with your target audience
- How much effort and expense is needed to remain active on each platform
- What features you want from your chosen platform(s)—e.g., review widgets
We’ve rounded up some of the best online review platforms to help you make a decision:
1. Google // Best for Local Search Visibility
Google reviews can boost your business’s visibility in local search results, which can help you convert more searchers into customers.
According to Google, “High-quality, positive reviews from your customers can improve your business visibility and increase the likelihood that a shopper will visit your location.”
These reviews can appear in local search results like below:
To start getting Google reviews, add or claim your free Google Business Profile (the listing that appears in Google’s map-based results). And verify your location.
Then, search “my business” in Google and click “View profile.”
On the next page, click “Read reviews.”
Respond to your Google reviews in the pop-up that appears. And report or flag any inappropriate reviews.
You can also copy a direct link to your Google reviews page. And share the link online to make the review process easier for customers.
Or turn the link into a scannable QR code to display on in-store posters, business cards, and other printed materials.
For more tips and strategies, check out our guide to asking for Google reviews.
2. Facebook // Best for Social Engagement
Facebook reviews are valuable because Facebook is the world’s most popular social platform, and many people use the platform to engage with businesses.
Plus, Bing sometimes displays Facebook reviews in search results:
To start collecting Facebook reviews, create a free Facebook business Page.
From your account, click on your profile picture, then “Settings & privacy” > “Settings.”
Then, go to your “Page and tagging” settings. And toggle on the switch beside “Allow others to view and leave reviews on your Page?”
Go to your page’s “Reviews” tab to see your reviews.
Copy the URL for this reviews page so you can link to it directly. The page will ask visitors if they recommend your business and prompt them to leave a review.
Enable review notifications. So you can respond to negative reviews—and positive reviews—as quickly as possible.
3. Yelp // Best for Local Businesses in the U.S.
Yelp is a local business reviews website that attracts over 120 million U.S. visits per month, according to Traffic Analytics data.
Yelp reviews also sometimes appear in Yahoo’s local search results:
Which means getting listed on Yelp could be a great way to attract more customers.
To start collecting Yelp reviews, create a free Yelp account. And add or claim your business listing.
Then go to your page to see the ratings, reviews, and photos provided by users.
The quality and quantity of reviews impact your ranking in Yelp’s “Recommended” search results.
4. Tripadvisor // Best for Travel and Hospitality
Tripadvisor is a customer review platform that gets 78.8 million travelers U.S. visits per month, according to Traffic Analytics data.
Earning positive reviews on a regular basis can help you rank prominently in Tripadvisor’s search results. Which may convert more users into customers.
To get started with Tripadvisor, find out if your business is already listed:
- If so, follow the process to claim the listing
- If not, click “Add a missing place” to add the listing yourself
After setting up your free account, read and respond to reviews via the Management Center.
Once you earn some good reviews, consider installing a Tripadvisor widget on your website. To display your average rating, encourage people to leave reviews, and more.
Like so:
5. G2 // Best for SaaS Businesses
G2 is a customer review site for software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses that features more than 2 million reviews.
G2 assigns every profile a G2 score “based on reviews gathered from the user community as well as data aggregated from online sources and social networks.”
The higher your G2 score, the higher you can rank in relevant categories and search results.
To start getting G2 reviews, do one of two things:
- Claim an existing profile and wait for G2 to verify your claim
- Request a profile, wait for G2 to approve your request, then claim your profile
G2 offers a free plan that lets you create a basic profile and collect reviews.
You need a paid G2 subscription to respond to reviews, add custom questions to the review form, or access other advanced features.
6. Trustpilot // Best for Ecommerce and Global Brands
Trustpilot is a popular review site that lets customers review almost any online business.
Customers rate companies out of five and provide written feedback. Trustpilot then calculates a star rating (Trust Score) based on numerous factors, including the frequency and recency of reviews.
To get started, create your Trustpilot account. And claim or add your listing.
The free plan lets you customize your profile, collect and respond to reviews, display a review collection widget on your website, and more.
Choose a paid plan for advanced features like custom website widgets, ad-free profiles, and review tagging.
7. Angi // Best for Home Service Businesses
Angi is a reviews website that helps homeowners find and hire home service professionals like plumbers, roofers, electrical workers, and landscapers.
Optimizing your profile and collecting good reviews can help you get more leads and jobs.
You can register your business on Angi for free. And manage your profile, quotes, and reviews through the Angi website or app.
But you need to pay a “lead fee” every time you accept an opportunity through the platform.
After completing a job, ask the customer to leave a review on your profile. (Whether they came through Angi or not.)
You can use Angi’s “Request a Review” feature to send review requests via email or text message. Use the communication method that you’ve already used with the customer.
8. Better Business Bureau // Best for BBB-Accredited Businesses
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has an online directory that attracts over 140 million users per year.
The organization is a trusted source of consumer advice in North America. So getting featured on this reviews website can be a great way to build trust with consumers.
You can list a non-accredited business on the BBB directory, but BBB-accredited businesses are more likely to succeed on the platform.
If you’re based in North America, you can apply for BBB accreditation online. You’ll need to pay a fee and prove your business meets the required standards.
Once you have a BBB login, you can optimize your business listing and respond to reviews.
9. Foursquare // Best for Audience Insights
Foursquare is a map-based website and app that lets users discover and rate local businesses.
Users can add tips, reviews, and photos to a business’s page. And rate the business using the “Like,” “Okay,” or “Dislike” icons.
A better business rating can increase your chances of ranking well in Foursquare’s suggestions.
To start, list your venue on Foursquare for free.
Then optimize your page, respond to customers, and use FourSquare Analytics to learn about the users who check in to your venue.
These analytics can provide valuable insight into customer demographics, footfall trends, and more.
FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Customer Review Platforms?
The benefits of customer review platforms is that they help you build trust with consumers and potentially convert users into customers.
Good reviews reassure potential customers about your product’s quality and your company’s reliability.
And potential customers generally see reviews hosted on independent platforms as more trustworthy than reviews hosted on your own website.
Review sites also boost your online visibility because they let you reach users on different platforms. And potentially influence your visibility in search engine results.
How to Respond to Customer Reviews
Respond to reviews quickly and strategically to show you value customer feedback.
Responding to negative reviews can also reduce the risk of reputational damage.
Start by thanking the user for sharing their review. Then, provide a professional response tailored to their feedback. If you’re responding to a negative review, take responsibility, provide an apology, and offer a solution.
If you receive a fake or inappropriate review, report it to the review platform.
How to Display Customer Reviews on Your Website
Display customer reviews on your website using business review site widgets.
These widgets can help you convert more visitors into customers. And encourage more people to leave reviews.
Generally, you install the widget by copying an HTML code and saving it in the relevant section of your website.
For example, you might want to display a reviews carousel on your homepage:
If you’re unsure what to do or can’t find a suitable widget, reach out to a web developer.
Simplify Review Platform Management
Simplify review platform management with Semrush’s Review Management tool.
The tool can collect reviews from multiple review websites, so you can see them all in one place and monitor your overall performance.
Plus, you can respond to Google reviews without leaving the tool.
Use the AI feature to draft responses you can personalize. Or, allow the AI to respond to negative or positive reviews automatically.
Review Management is part of the Semrush Local toolkit, which can also help you:
- Optimize your Google Business Profile
- Add your business to online directories
- Track your local search visibility
Sign up now and start growing your business through popular review sites.
