Use Testimonials to Help Seal the Deal
Jen / March 16, 2022
Client testimonials are a mighty way to influence buyers of breakroom services – and operators who incorporate them into their digital marketing strategy are using a proven tactic to drive sales. Here we explore why testimonials work, how to obtain them, and where to incorporate them in your digital marketing strategy.
Why testimonials work
Buyers in every industry use the internet to search for new products and services and the refreshment services industry is no different. A great company website can impress and inform but client testimonials go one step further in establishing trust and converting leads to customers. In fact, 85% of buyers find testimonials as valuable as a personal recommendation from a friend or colleague.
Client testimonials can also have a positive impact on SEO. When testimonials are specific, they often contain “search worthy” keywords. And, if properly promoted, they can boost your website’s ranking in organic search results. Better rankings drive more traffic to your site. Testimonials that include specific recommendations are also a great way to increase the awareness of particular products or services. This can lead to upgrades with your existing customers too.
Obtaining testimonials
A great testimonial is often the result of great timing, so always keep the idea of collecting a testimonial top of mind. Guide your customers toward providing the information you seek by asking them questions. Did your customer recently switch to single-cup coffee equipment? Ask them how their employees are enjoying the convenience. Did they recently upgrade to pantry service? Invite them to tell you about their employees’ positive reaction to free snacks and beverages. Also ask them to share how your company handled communication, logistics, and service issues along the way.
Make it easy – The key to obtaining testimonials is to make it easy for your customers to contribute. Email long-term customers to ask for a few words on your company’s behalf – and give them a prompt or a few simple questions to answer. If your customers are willing to provide you with a testimonial but are short on time, offer to co-write one with them or prepare one for them. Remember, if you are writing a testimonial on your customer’s behalf, be sure to get their approval before using it.
If you are reaching out to a relatively new customer, a quick call to check in on how things are going might be a better option. If they respond favorably them, follow up with a request to quote them in an upcoming testimonial. They will be pleased to know you value their comments.
Consider video – Video testimonials are growing in popularity, so consider getting a few of your own. According to LinkedIn, 79% of consumers say they have watched a video testimonial to learn more about a company, product, or service. Video testimonials don’t have to be rehearsed. Many buyers love their authenticity. So, if you are on-site installing a new micro-market or hosting a fresh food or coffee tasting, seize the moment! Speak with your client directly and obtain a video testimonial on the spot.
Regardless of how you obtain your testimonials, tailor them to be as detailed as possible. In addition to the SEO benefits, buyers find detailed testimonials more unique, relevant, and tangible.
Marketing testimonials
Once you have obtained a variety of testimonials, it’s time to put them to work!
Showcase them on your website – If your company has acquired a lot of testimonials, it deserves a testimonial page on your website. But, if you are still gathering them, don’t wait to show them off. Testimonials are a perfect addition to a company’s home page or about page. Sprinkling relevant testimonials on pages dedicated to specific breakroom products or services can provide key information right where buyers are seeking it too.
Post on Social Media – A steady stream of positive customer feedback posted on social media has many benefits. Fresh new content that validates your breakroom services is always a win. Including backlinks will drive traffic to specific pages on your website that pertain to your client’s testimonial too. Also, don’t forget to tag your clients who provide the testimonial. Your post will be seen by all of your clients’ connections and your company will gain valuable exposure to prospects who value your client’s opinions.
Share as a Google Review – Ask your customers to post their testimonial (or a portion of it) as a Google Review and offer to show them how. A positive Google Review will further enhance your company’s credibility and boost its ranking on Google search.
Client testimonials are an important component of your digital marketing strategy and can go a long way in influencing buyers of breakroom services. Unbiased input from customers in similar circumstances can certainly enhance lead generation and validate a buyer’s decision to become a customer. But, don’t underestimate how the process of collecting testimonials can enhance your relationships with existing customers too. The experience shows them you value their honest feedback and care about their input. The information your clients share can praise what you are doing right, identify employees who are going above and beyond or offer chances for breakroom upgrades. However, it can also reveal opportunities for improvement. Acting on your clients’ feedback, positive or negative, will help ensure you retain them for years to come.
VendCentral helps operators and manufacturers in the refreshment services industry with digital marketing strategies, website development, written content and creative design. Contact us for a free consultation.
A brand-new Coolbreakrooms has launched for 2022 – just in time for a year that is sure to be filled with new opportunities for the refreshment services industry. As an extension of VendCentral, Coolbreakrooms offers an online community where operators and manufacturers can thrive.
Coolbreakrooms speaks directly to breakroom decision-makers. It is a platform designed for operators and manufacturers to promote their goods and services directly to HR and facility managers. With its expansion this year, Coolbreakrooms is developing new industry partnerships. How it can help you reach your business goals for 2022?
Promotes the Industry
Coolbreakrooms’ main initiative is to promote breakroom operators and the refreshment services industry as a whole. Its website inspires breakroom upgrades by showcasing how better breakrooms positively impact employees and improve workplace culture.
The website’s Featured Breakrooms page highlights gold-standard breakrooms that deliver modern technology, satisfying food and beverages and a welcoming environment for employees. It provides customers interested in updating their company breakroom with the inspiration they need to get started.
Coolbreakrooms intends to rapidly expand their featured breakrooms gallery with pictures of breakrooms in all sizes. This is a great opportunity for operators to showcase their work. Operators are invited to submit photos of their premium breakroom installs for inclusion on the site. Selected operators may receive free marketing exposure through photo credits, in-depth articles, and social media promotions.
Boosts Business for Operators
Coolbreakrooms is focused on providing more leads to top-notch operators in the refreshment services industry. It does this by consulting with breakroom customers and matching them with Authorized Providers in their own hometown. They enhance the service by guiding customers to products and equipment best suited for their workplace environment.
Coolbreakrooms is valuable for larger companies that are interested in breakroom upgrades but have limited time or resources to dedicate to the process. It’s particularly useful for companies with workplaces in multiple cities, as it provides one turnkey solution for breakroom services across the US and internationally.
To become part of the Coolbreakrooms Authorized Provider network, breakroom operators must satisfy certain quality standards. There is no fee to join.
Drives Sales for Manufacturers
Manufacturers in the refreshment services industry have long found themselves short on channel-specific marketing opportunities. But the Coolbreakrooms website provides a new way to promote products and equipment directly to breakroom customers. Those partnering with Coolbreakrooms can now drive demand for food and beverages, gourmet office coffee, water filtration systems, breakroom technology, and more.
As it grows, Coolbreakrooms will shine a larger spotlight on the best of the best from all business categories. It will develop key relationships with industry manufacturers and create an impactful way for them to market directly to breakroom customers and influence sales.
The website will promote newness and innovation in a constantly evolving industry and educate customers on the latest breakroom options available.
VendCentral’s goal with Coolbreakrooms is straightforward – to promote breakroom upgrades and support the growth of the refreshment services industry. This year, the new Coolbreakrooms website will generate content geared towards breakroom decision-makers and provide a unique platform for all members of the industry community to participate and benefit. If you are interested in realizing greater demand for your goods and services VendCentral welcomes you to contact them to discuss joining the Coolbreakrooms movement.
A healthy website is a cornerstone of business success. More consumers are opting to shop online rather than in-store, so a robust digital presence is more essential than ever before. In fact, it takes a user about 0.05 seconds to decide if they’re going to continue exploring your website or jump ship. That means if your site is outdated, unattractive, or tough to navigate, you’ve just lost a potential customer in less than one second.
Just like regularly maintaining your health is necessary for a thriving body, continual updates and enhancements are key to an optimized website. Your site is a living, breathing mechanism that need to be reviewed, updated, and maintained regularly.
If your website has been collecting dust, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to take a deeper look and reassess the health of your company website.
The Importance of a Healthy Website
Your business website is your brand’s piece of digital real estate on the internet. You wouldn’t walk into a dilapidated storefront expecting five-star service, would you? The same thing applies to online shoppers. If your website is poorly designed, consumers will surely look elsewhere.
While 38% of people will immediately stop engaging with a site if the content or layout is unappealing, 88% of consumers are less likely to return to a website after a bad experience. That’s a significant number! If your website crashes, hasn’t been redesigned since 2009, or is stuffed with irrelevant information, it will cost you valuable leads.
A website health check is a valuable way to identify how to optimize your online presence, generate leads, and boost revenues.
Your Complete Website Health Checklist
When conducting a health check of your website, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is my website user-centric?
A high-performing website is all about the user experience (UX). To be successful, your site must be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provide immediate value to the customer. It’s important to keep in mind that every visitor who comes to your website has a problem to solve. Whether they want to buy a new sweater or find a new vending machine for their office break room, they have a problem. Your website’s goal is to help them solve that problem as quickly as possible.
A site that is visually appealing and clearly laid out will intuitively guide a visitor from one step to the next.
2. Does it have clear branding and effectively represent who I am as a company?
Your site is a digital representation of your brand. When a user lands on your website, they should immediately know what products or services you offer, what pain points you solve, and what your brand’s personality is like. Branding can effectively be conveyed through engaging copy, color palettes, and imagery.
3. Is it updated and fresh?
Websites that are outdated or include irrelevant information will negatively impact your marketing efforts. Ensure that your company site highlights your latest products and services and highlights pertinent information.
4. Is it mobile responsive?
Consumers engage with their smartphones for an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes on a daily basis. If your website isn’t mobile friendly, you could be losing potential customers. Your site needs to quickly load, be easy to scan on a smartphone, and provide a seamless experience across all devices.
5. Is it optimized to ensure your website ranks high on search?
Search Engine Optimization is crucial when it comes to your website because it makes it more visible, and that means more traffic and more opportunities to convert prospects into customers. It’s also a valuable tool for brand awareness, building relationships with prospects, and positioning yourself as an authoritative and trustworthy expert in your industry.
6. Is it accessible to all users and ADA compliant?
To be successful, a website must be inclusive. This means that its content is accessible to all users, regardless of physical or situational disabilities. It isn’t just good business practice; web accessibility legislation is continuing to evolve. Making your site more compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) could reduce your exposure to hefty fines.
The Reality
Your website can make or break your business. Regular site health checks, now and throughout the year, ensure that your website is user-friendly, updated, and inclusive.
To learn how VendCentral’s marketing solutions can benefit your website, contact us today by calling (866) 699-8363.