Recently, we have had a few articles focusing on the new Google Places Search and Google+ (read more on Google+'s "+1" in the right hand column).  The internet is blossoming for business and personal relationships and that means that it is more important than ever to have exceptional online reviews.

Customer review and testimonials have always been an essential part of gaining new business.  Reviews for your company and services was previously done via written testimonials,  phone calls between prospective and past clients, and simply word of mouth.

In the "new" online world,  reviews have transitioned from paper and pencil to "likes" (Facebook), "+1" (Google+), customer ratings (see Google Places, Yelp!, Angie's List, etc.).  More and more websites are allowing customers to leave feedback and ratings on companies and services they have worked with, which allows you to build a virtual repository of credibility for your company.

How do I get started?

A great place to start is by simply adding a comment form on your website, creating a Facebook page, and claiming yourself on Google Places.

Looking for a boost? 

If you are looking for a bit more of a boost, IMPACT is offering a new Review Collection service focused on surveying your customer base, enticing them to post reviews to your various on-line destinations (Facebook, website, YouTube, etc.) and working with responding customers to get their permission to post their reviews on-line.  This can not only help kick-start the review process, but help bring it full-circle to actually  develop quality, in-depth reviews that will positively affect your company. 

Interested in learning more? Contact IMPACT! 

Facebook has a new competitor in the market.  Google+ just launched the BRAND NEW +1 functionality.  Think of this as the Google equivalent of Facebook's "like" button. View the introduction video. 

Many applications and websites are already integrating this new type of marker, including the popular website builder WordPress.

If you are a logged in member of Google+, you can see the +1 in action by searching on Google for anything.  If you like a site, click the +1 to the right of that site, and you just gave that site your public stamp of approval.  You can even add a comment about why.  You can easily see your own +1's under your Google+ account information in it's own tab.  They can be public or private, or only available to your "circle".

All of those +1s really add up.  You can even add a button and tally to your website to show off your aggregate +1 recommendations. 

+1 search allows you to take it one step further by customizing the search results you see depending on the recommendations posted by yourself, your friends, your Google+ circle.  Just like with Google Place Search allowing nearby businesses and websites to show up first in your search list, Google+ allows recommended (+1'd) content to show up first, as well.

What does this mean for your business?

Want to get recognized and be at the top of search lists? If your customers are recommending you through +1s, you have the advantage over other sites in your area, and will show up closer to the top of your consumers search lists.