Essential Online Review Statistics To Know For 2020

Today, more customers than ever read online reviews before making a purchase, and I can't deny that I'm among them. That's why I gathered essential online review statistics to show the power of online reviews.

35 Online Review Statistics To Grow Your Business In 2020

Online reviews are an integral part of the digital marketplace, and consumers continue to flock to the digital marketplace more and more every year -- which is great news for enterprising business owners and marketers everywhere.

Here's a chart from Statista that confirms this claim:

2.05 billion digital buyers in 2020 are no joke!

When these 2.05 billion buyers want extra confidence before making a purchasing decision, where do you think they'll turn for advice? That's right, you guessed it: online reviews!

With that said, here are 35 online review statistics to know for 2020.

Let's jump to it!

1. A 0.1-star increase in a brand’s average rating can increase conversion rate by 25%. - StreetFight

You know what they say about progress - however small, it's still progress. This stat only means that a little improvement in your online rating could mean more business.

2. According to consumers, businesses that respond to reviews are 1.7X more trustworthy than businesses who don't (76% vs. 46%). - Google

Being responsive to online reviews has become critical to your business. You should already know that trust is a hot commodity in business. Without it, your business is dead in the water.

3. Yelp has over 192 million reviews and counting. - Yelp

Yelp is undeniably one of the best review sites for business, big and small, all over the world. One hundred ninety-two million reviews are just crazy, y'all! If you want your business to grow, you need to be on Yelp.

4. There are over 760 million reviews on TripAdvisor. - PR Newswire

TripAdvisor is the largest travel platform today, and this online review statistic is a big deal for travel agencies, hotels, and travelers. Make sure to have an account with TripAdvisor if you are planning to be part of the travel industry next year.

5. In the healthcare industry, the average review rating in the last 3 months was 3.06 stars with all review ratings ranked below from lowest to highest. - Chatmeter.

Well, the healthcare industry needs to step up their game next year if they care about increasing their customer base through online reviews. Remember that online reviews are one of the SEO ranking factors, so, without strong reviews, it's not going to happen.

6. Reviews shared on Twitter increase eCommerce sales by 6.46%. - Yotpo

Wow! This stat only proves one thing - reviews on Twitter means more sales. If you fell short on sales this year, rethink your Twitter strategy in 2020.

7. 84% of shoppers now read online reviews. - Charged

This number is not surprising at all! It only makes sense to read online reviews before buying something online. It all boils down to the word TRUST. Without online reviews, buyers will not trust an online store at all.

8. 70% of consumers say helpful online reviews as one of their primary reasons for visiting the site. - TripAdvisor

In 2020, use online reviews to drive traffic to your website. It's not a secret that consumers trust the opinions of other consumers, so take advantage.

9. Eighty-eight percent of small businesses (88%) monitor their online reputation at least quarterly. - Clutch

Are you part of the 88%? If you aren't, then you need to start monitoring your online presence. The majority of small business owners are already doing it. Start by asking customers to leave you feedback.

10. 80% of shoppers used a mobile phone inside of a physical store to either look up product reviews, compare prices or find alternative store locations. - OuterBox

This stat shows how important mobile phones are in increasing sales. Customers can access online reviews anytime, anywhere. Remember that going into 2020.

11. About 6 in 10 individuals said that the inclusion of pros and cons was a key indicator of review quality and validity. - Trustpilot

Who doesn't want to know the pros and cons of a product before buying it? Consumers are smart nowadays. Entrepreneurs must push for quality reviews to gain more buyers.

12. Most small business owners find SEO providers through referrals, Google searches and online reviews. - Backlinko

Digital marketing providers need to work extra hard on getting more online reviews in 2020. Online reviews are a type of social proof that clients look for before doing business.

13. Positive reviews make 73% of consumers trust a local business more. - ReputationX

This one is a given. The reality is that customers trust any business with positive reviews over the ones who don't.

14. 30% of survey respondents between ages 18 and 44 look at reviews before every single purchase. - Power Reviews

Looking at the chart, it's evident that your ORM (online review management) focus should shift to the age group who rely on online reviews before making a purchase.

15. You run the risk of increasing your customer churn by 15% for not responding to reviews. - Chatmeter

Responding to reviews is necessary for growth in an age where customers spend a lot of time online. Make sure to respond to all reviews that you will get next year.

16. Over half (52%) of consumers agree that they would never book a hotel with no reviews. - TripAdvisor

I wouldn't book a room with these hotels either. As a small business owner, I always encourage my clients to leave an online review. It's my proof that my business is legitimate. You should do the same in 2020.

17. 50% of the reviews on Yelp are 5-stars. - Yelp

If you own a local business, then Yelp is a great place to gain customers and build momentum. This rating distribution chart shows how fair, reasonable, and serious Yelp users are on the platform.

18. 46% of online buyers check star ratings before committing to an online purchase. - Charged

Star ratings show the level of trustworthiness a business has built with its consumer base online. No matter where you stand, it's important to work on your online reputation. A high star rating means you need to maintain your current status. A low star rating means you need to work on how you do business.

19. Only 13% of consumers will consider a business with 1 or 2 stars. - Finances Online

I am pretty sure you don't want to worry about closing business next year. Work on your online reputation now to avoid it. 13% is bad news if you ask me.

20. 78% focus on the most recent reviews. - TripAdvisor

Recent customer reviews are the most relevant and will most accurately reflect the current state of your business. It's one of the most important reasons to encourage customers to leave reviews.

21. Two-thirds of small businesses (66%) use social media to monitor their online reputation, and nearly half of these small businesses (48%) use social media with other platforms to round out their monitoring efforts. - Clutch

Social media offers a lot of opportunities for your business, one of which is the opportunity to manage your online reputation. Listen to your social media followers and respond to their feedback. It's one of the best ways to grow in 2020.

22. 49% of consumers need at least a four-star rating before they choose to use a business. - ReputationX

Now just because your current rating is below four stars doesn't mean it's the end of the world. You could still improve your products, services, and business process next year to improve your rating.

23. 59% shoppers need a few weeks with a product before giving feedback. - Power Reviews

Follow up with your buyers through email or phone a week after they buy your product or service. It only makes sense to let them use your product first before asking for a review.

24. Restaurant businesses are the most reviewed category on Yelp in 2019. - Yelp

At 19%, local restaurants could use Yelp as a business awareness tool. This number proves that a directory listing like Yelp is vital for small business success. If you are planning to be in the restaurant business next year, be on Yelp!

25. Nearly half of small businesses (44%) use only human resources, such as in-house employees and public relations agencies, to monitor their online reputation. - Clutch

I believe this is one of the biggest mistakes one could make in 2020. Traditional methods in handling business reputation are still useful, but using online tools to help monitor your reputation can make things much easier.

26. Reviews that only gave 1 or 2 stars, failed to convert 86% of prospective customers. - ReputationX

Well, it's hard to do business with someone who doesn't have great reviews. 86% of lost opportunities is a huge deal!

27. 45% of companies do not ask users for feedback once the chat has ended. - Super Office

If you don't ask for feedback, how can you possibly get better?

28. Close to 50% of online users search for product videos before they make a purchase. - SmallBizGenius

Product or service video reviews on Youtube and Facebook drive purchase decisions. In 2020, it would be a great idea to work with influencers who review products on Youtube.

29. 64% of consumers are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it. - Social Media Today

This is another one that could prove the power of Youtube or Facebook product reviews.

30. 84% of US online shoppers review at least one social media site before making a purchase. - HostingFacts

In 2020, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will drive more customers to local businesses who have a presence there.

31. 77% of mobile shoppers are more likely to purchase an item if the website or app offers product reviews. - Power Reviews

Having product reviews on your website is a simple way to encourage more mobile shoppers to purchase.

32. Consumers read an average of 7 reviews before trusting a business. - ReputationX

If you currently have six or below, then you have to have more next year. Remember that customers love to know more about a business, and a few reviews will not satisfy that.

33. Millennial-owned small businesses use digital tools (69%), such as Google Alerts or social listening software, almost as much as human resources (68%), such as in-house employees and PR/online reputation management agencies. - Clutch

There are a lot of social listening tools available at your disposal right now. Some examples include Trackur and Mention. Use these tools to manage your online reputation.

34. 87% of people write online reviews because they want to share good experiences with others - TripAdvisor

Here are some facts - consumers want others to experience the same great experience from a business. In the same way, consumers DON'T want others to go through the same bad experience.

35. Almost two-thirds of online shoppers are likely to leave a negative review following a bad experience – with 60% having done so within the last year. - Charged

Negative online reviews call for a stronger online reputation management strategy. What do you do when you get one? Handle it by responding to the review.

Well, that was a long list. I know! Use these online review statistics to guide your marketing strategy next year.

It's imperative to manage your online reputation to drive more sales to your business in 2020. If you need help in handling your online presence, don't hesitate to talk to us!

So what do you think about this article? Are you ready to handle online reviews next year?

Leave a comment below and let's discuss.

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Header image courtesy of Stockunlimited.

About the Author Tim Fitzpatrick

Tim Fitzpatrick is the President of Rialto Marketing. At Rialto Marketing, we help take the guesswork out of marketing so your small business can grow. Marketing your business shouldn't be a constant challenge. If you are ready to eliminate the uncertainty and confusion of marketing your business, we can help.