It’s a route one approach, but the Blackpool Gazette’s story on local garages with five-star Google reviews highlights the importance of positive online feedback.
“Blackpool is awash with talented mechanics,” it says, “whether you need a quick service, a dent fixing or a full engine overhaul.”
It found 21 garages with a perfect rating from at least ten online reviews, along with dozens of others with a rating of 4.5 to 4.9.
Although the website didn’t include a link to the 21 garages, it did list a name, telephone number and a photo from Google Street View. A quick look at the garage at the top of the list reveals a five-star rating generated from 43 satisfied customers.
The challenge for every five-star garage in the country is to maintain the high standards, as feedback from just one dissatisfied customer would put a dent in perfection.
Garage Wire comment
Online reviews are the modern equivalent of word of mouth recommendations (or otherwise). A garage that delivers an excellent service should be encouraging its customers to post feedback on Google, because figures suggest that 89 percent of consumers read online reviews before buying a product or service.
A further 93 percent have made a purchase decision based on an online review. The fact that 60 percent of customers would leave a review if a business asks for one should encourage garages to request feedback. It doesn’t have to be in person; why not stick a request on the bottom of an invoice or display a poster at the front desk?
While you’re at it, why not pester your local news website for a similar article? If you’ve got a five-star rating, you’ve got nothing to lose…
Source: Blackpool Gazette
Neil Pattemore
Looking at these 21 garages on the Blackpool Gazette’s website, it seems that main dealers are ‘conspicuous by their absence’. A perfect example of how independent workshops provide the best customer experience. Well done to these businesses and to the Blackpool Gazette for highlighting them!