7 out of 10 customers in the garden industry trust online reviews just as much as word of mouth recommendations.

Online reviews now need to be part of a comprehensive marketing plan.

One way to garner online reviews is by creating sampling programs and sending them to key influencers in different mediums.  

Below, the correlation between online reviews and profitability will be examined, and garden businesses will get insider tips to make their next online review stellar.

Online Reviews and Sales

90% of consumers read online reviews before purchasing their next garden product. And, if your garden product is negatively reviewed, 80% of potential buyers will change their mind on your product.

But, if your garden product has stellar reviews, you'll see the increase in sales. Shoppers will trust your garden brand more, so they'll spend more.

If your garden brand is beloved by all and gets consistent 5/5 star reviews, then consumers will spend 31% more when they checkout.

Online Reviews and the Competition

Online reviews are nothing more than a digital battle between you and the competitors.

82% of consumers looked at online reviews as a deciding factor when choosing between similar products. As you may have guessed, whatever product had the better online reviews is the product that won.

Your garden business needs to know who you competitors are. Then, take it a step further: really analyze the pros and cons of your product vs. theirs.

Knowing the competition's weaknesses and strengths will allow you to position your garden product more effectively in online reviews--and in the heart of the consumers.

How to Get Positive Online Reviews

When a consumer goes out and purchases a product on their own, you have no idea what they'll say.

But, when you handpick influencers who've expressed an interest in your product, you're able to make sure that they have the information that they need. Plus, if they have a question, you're right there to answer it.

A sampling program has been the tried and true method of receiving online and print reviews in public relations for decades.

Public relations firms are able to tap into their industry connections to get the key influencers in blogs, newspapers, magazines, and on social media to review your product.

Experts in the field are already trusted by your consumers, so when they see their favorite morning anchor give a rave review of your product, you can guarantee they'll be interested in trying it for themselves.

As far as the bad reviews go, follow up with the writers. Again, two-way conversations are the best way to change attitudes. Talking with a real human being will often deflate the online bully. After talking with you, a brand representative, the user may delete the review entirely, or update the review to make it more positive.

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Thank you to the Star Tribune for the action-packed image of online reviews.