12 Business Review Sites You Should Know

If you were planning a yard sale, how would you advertise it? You could staple neon posters to telephone poles at major intersections. You could visit bustling coffee shops and pin flyers to their bulletin boards. You could even take out an advertisement in the local paper, or post on your social media accounts.

But if you really wanted your yard sale to succeed, you'd want to invest in a healthy mix of these options. Each approach would put your ads in front of a slightly different audience. Together, the mix would spread the word far and wide.

Business review sites operate in a similar manner. Sure, you could spend all your time perfecting your Yelp profile. But why would you? Without a broad strategy, you'd be ignoring customers who frequent dozens of other business review sites.

You don't necessarily need a profile on every business review site. But you should invest in a mix of the platforms your customers are most likely to visit. Read on to learn more about your options.

Map-Based Business Review Sites

With "near me" search queries on the rise, map-based business review sites are a must. These platforms work especially well for local businesses looking to attract new customers. With time, locals might become loyal shoppers who return again and again.

Top map-based business review sites include:

• Google Maps: Google is the world's most popular search platform. Best of all, adding your business to Google Maps is completely free!
• Apple Maps: Apple devices come pre-loaded with this app, which includes local business listings.
• MapQuest: Loyal MapQuest users can now access local business information through the app.
• Bing Places: Bing users skew older (and wealthier) than other platforms. Creating a Bing profile is also quick and easy.
• Yahoo! Local: Yahoo! offers news, search capabilities and more. Be sure your business stands out to the site's users.

Bonus: Looking for more inspiration? Discover even more local directories on our in-depth guide.

Social Media-Based Business Review Sites

Social media has transformed the way customers interact with businesses. Instead of writing formal emails, many customers now tag businesses in public posts or dash off direct messages.

In fact, one of the best ways to increase your web presence is to start posting on social.

It's no wonder some social media platforms have embraced their role as de facto business review sites. Two of the biggest social media-based business review sites are:

• Facebook: Business profiles on Facebook now feature messaging and online reviews.
• Foursquare: This platform allows users to see where friends have "checked in." It's a great way to build powerful word-of-mouth buzz about your business.

These community-based review sites can create vital social proof for your business.

Category-Based Business Review Sites

Next, let's talk about business review sites organized around specific categories. These sites typically feature built-in maps. But they're primarily organized around types of goods or services.

For example, users might search for a restaurant based on the type of food you want to eat. Or users might search for a handyman based on their specialty.

Top category-based business review sites include:

• TripAdvisor: Tourists and locals alike flock to TripAdvisor for in-depth reviews. You'll access a broad swath of the market by creating a profile here.
• Yelp: One of the most popular business review sites, Yelp is a one stop shop for recommendations. Be sure to choose your category carefully, and to be as detailed as possible.
• Angie's List: Does your business provide services such as construction or plumbing? If so, Angie's List can help you connect with customers, fast.

Because these business review sites are so popular, it's worth the effort to get listed. Stand out by optimizing your profile around a specific product or service. 

Miscellaneous Business Review Sites

Finally, what about the business review sites that don't quite fit into other categories? Reviews on these platforms can still help build trust with potential customers.

• Better Business Bureau: This nonprofit aims to increase trust in the marketplace.
• Yellowpages: The old phonebooks you remember are now a sleek, searchable website.

These professional sites might seem old-school. But that's exactly what makes them feel so trustworthy to consumers. 

Manage Dozens of Business Review Sites From One Simple Dashboard

By now, you might be wondering how other businesses manage to do it all. Who has time to check and manage a dozen or more business review platforms each week?

The honest answer: No one does. That's why you need digital marketing tools that streamline the process. GoSite's increase your web presence allows you to manage all your profiles from a central dashboard. Want to update your hours across all profiles? It's as easy as a few clicks.

Once your business review site profiles are up and running, you'll need help keeping up with online reviews. That's where GoSite's Reviews tool comes in. It helps you stay one step ahead of your reviews—whether they're positive, negative or anywhere in between.

Interested in learning more about how simple managing online reviews can be? get reviews today!