How Online Reviews Impact the Way We Live

Whether it’s constant communication with a wider network of people or the ability to get information at our fingertips,

09:50 02 March 2020

the internet has transformed almost every aspect of our lives in some way or another. Online reviews are arguably the epitome of that.

Gone are the days where trying and buying were a shot in the dark. Nowadays, there’s a vast array of information about different products, services businesses and even people.

Tourism

Nowhere have we seen more effects of online reviews than in how we use the internet to plan our vacations. Travel agents have slowly been disappearing thanks to online booking sites, as consumers are finding that online reviews allow them to become informed in whatever way they choose, rather than have something blindly sold to them.

Use any holiday booking site or dedicated review sites like Tripadvisor and the first thing you’ll see – after the price – is how many stars it has or what average score its garnered from collected user reviews. Through the means of giving the people a voice, travel sites have seen a massive shift in how they appeal to potential customers, with much of the process being out of their control.

Online games

But it’s not just big purchases. We can even find out the best games to play or sites to use rather than wasting time trying out several poor options. There are a multitude of casino reviews, which allow users to compare free spins, welcome offers and of course the games available.

Typically, these come with an overall rating out of five stars – much like the aforementioned holiday reviews – so consumers can get a quick and easy overview of the product or service on offer. This is something that has become increasingly common with online reviews, given the quick and on-demand nature that goes hand in hand with the internet and modern life.

Shopping

One of the biggest impacts the internet has had on our day-to-day lives comes through the advent of online shopping. Many people no longer shop in-store, instead ordering products online and having them delivered to their door.

The only issue here is that you don’t have the reassurance of seeing, feeling and even trying a product in-store before buying. That’s where online reviews come in handy.

From reselling sites like Amazon and eBay to well-known retailers, almost every site has a facility to review specific products so customers can get a better idea of its features, longevity and any issues other buyers have encountered.

But that’s not all. You can also review the retailer itself. Let’s say your delivery was delayed, or you encountered poor customer service. It would be slightly harsh to leave a poor review on the product itself because of this. Instead, you can review the business to warn or welcome other customers.

How does it affect service?

The key question is whether online reviews have a positive or negative impact on modern life. Broadly speaking, it’s positive. Online reviews empower customers, giving them a voice and a platform on which to use it.

It’s never been easier for consumers to spread the word about poor service or bad products. Crucially, businesses known this. Whether it’s an online casino or a retailer, companies will do their utmost to keep customers happy and avoid those bad reviews which can damage their reputation.

The result? Better service with a true dedication to customer satisfaction.