FEBRUARY is typically the month of love. But what do you do when your veterinary client leaves you a poor review online?
Is it over for good? Not necessarily.
Online Reviews – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Managed correctly, client reviews on Google and Facebook can be one of your most valuable marketing tools. They engender trust in your services, create a buzz around your brand and best of all, they don’t cost anything. However, as powerful as a 5-star review can be, a poor review can be equally damaging. Online reviews can’t be deleted, so the way you respond publicly will determine how much harm is done to your practice’s reputation.
How Clients Are Perceiving Poor Reviews
The veterinary industry has always been emotionally charged, and challenges imposed by the pandemic and staff shortages have only exacerbated the problem. Thankfully, most people with any commonsense will be able to spot a baseless complaint from a mile away – especially when they include vague criticisms and accusations without mentioning any specific facts. Customer behaviour has deteriorated significantly in recent years, both in person and online. So much so, that many of our good clients are starting to become more cynical and less tolerant of tantrums levelled at overworked vets and nurses. I’ve often found that when a disgruntled client posts a nasty comment on a Facebook post, others are quick to jump to the defence of the vet practice. They’ve had enough!
Of course not all poor reviews are retaliatory. There ARE going to be genuine complaints, so you should see these as an opportunity to improve your business reputation.
How to Manage Poor Online Reviews
1. Monitor
Monitor your Google reviews and Facebook recommendations regularly. You should be receiving notifications on email every time a new review is posted. There’s nothing worse than a bad review with no reply from the business owner. It sends a message that the complaint is not important to you.
2. Thank
Thank your client for taking the time to leave you a review. Yes – even the bad ones!
3. Apologise
Apologise for the fact that they’ve had a disappointing experience. You’re not admitting fault, but you’re showing your client empathy.
4. Take it off-line
Invite the client to take the conversation offline. Remember – this is a public forum. Offer to give them a call so that you can address their complaint privately.
5. Find a solution
Aim to find a solution. At this stage, you’ll find that clients without a genuine complaint will often back down as poor reviews are often posted after a miscommunication. Those with a genuine grievance will want to know that you are listening to them and that you want to address their concerns about their pet.
6. Ask them to amend or delete
Ask them if they will amend or delete their poor review. When you have resolved a complaint or misunderstanding, the client may even apologise. They might feel embarrassed about posting a bad review in the heat of the moment and offer to remove it. Demonstrate your understanding. Let them know that you would be grateful if they deleted their review and then reassure them that you want to help with their pet’s health issues.
7. Stand your ground.
If the review is abusive, you are within your rights to defend your practice and to refuse them service. Reply assertively, state the facts and maintain your professionalism.
When you maintain control of your client reviews and see them as an opportunity to build trust and loyalty with your clients, you can turn an online complaint into a positive customer experience. If not, then your ability to rise above the hate will show others that you have complete confidence in your staff, your expertise and your business practices.
But who has the time or resources to manage online reviews – Good OR Bad?
We do!
If you don’t have the time or resources to keep on top of your client reviews – good OR bad – then give me a call (Donna: 0434 886 182) or send an email because at Waggy Dog Marketing – that’s exactly what we do (among other things!).
I can manage your social media with customised posts, educational content and fun stories for both Facebook and Instagram AND I’ll follow up on reactions, replies and reviews for you – 7 days a week.
To find out more, click HERE to see how I can work with you and take away the stress of managing your social media posts and comments.
Here’s what one of our amazing clients thinks…
Donna has been nothing short of amazing! Before connecting with Donna at Waggy Dog Marketing trying to keep up with our presence on social media was impossible. Donna is so easy-going, very kind, and wonderful to liaise with. She keeps me up to date on posts that she is scheduling and works in line with our practice culture. We love that at the end of every month we get a report detailing what is performing and what is not. It takes the stress off me and I can focus more on important business opportunities. I cannot recommend Donna enough. She has been a blessing!
Thank you from High St Vet Surgery.
– Jamee Robertson – Practice Manager, High Street Vet Surgery, QLD
A version of this post first appeared on the Waggy Dog Blog – click HERE to visit the original post and subscribe!
