Saturday, 23 June 2012

29Prime: Yelp and Bing Become One

By Jessica Stevenson


Search engines can be a business owner's best friend or absolute worst enemy. There is always going to be someone who is not happy with your services or what you provide. People like this often turn to review websites to vent their frustrations and this can negatively affect a business. On the other hand, happy customers can turn to a review website and write a fantastic review about your business. It all depends on the experience that the customer has with your business.

Google recently integrated the Zagat ratings into their search engine. Other search engines have taken notice and are now making necessary changes within their systems to keep up with Google. As a business owner, you may be wondering: what does this mean for me? Well, reviews are now going to pop up in search results whenever someone is looking for a specific business. This means that potential customers will be able to see these reviews immediately.

This week, Bing tried to one-up Google by purchasing Yelp. Yelp is a review-based website that shows reviews written by consumers about various businesses. From electricians to doctors, you can find a review about anything on Yelp. Bing also now allows their users to link their Facebook account with the search engine. This means that the consumer can read reviews written by their family or friends about a certain business. People trust reviews written by people they know and are credible.

Search engines are struggling when trying to compete with the powerhouse that is Google. Right now, Bing is the second most popular search engine and Yahoo! Search trails behind in third place. These two search engines will have to work extremely hard to try and topple Google.

Business owners must pay careful attention to what is being written about them on the Internet. With the recent additions to the previously mentioned search engines, it is much easier for consumers to search for a certain business and read reviews immediately. If someone writes a negative review about your business, make sure you address it in a respectful and professional manner. Consumers enjoy acknowledgement and a response from the business owner. Start perusing the Internet for reviews written about you and your business!




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