Which Review Sites Matter? The 5 Best Platforms for Your Business

Online reviews are one of the most powerful trust signals for businesses. In fact, studies show that 98% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision.¹

Listing your company on reputable review platforms increases visibility, boosts credibility, and helps attract more customers. But, with so many platforms available, where should your business be listed? We’ve identified the five most influential local review websites that can increase visibility, credibility, and customer trust.

1. Google Business Profile

Formerly Google My Business, this platform is essential for local businesses looking to appear in Google Maps and local search results. It provides valuable exposure and allows businesses to interact with customers through reviews and direct messaging.

Here’s what makes Google Business Profile a must-have for businesses:

• Domain Authority & SEO Visibility: High—appears in Google Maps and local search results. This means businesses can connect with customers who are already looking for their services.
• Trust & Credibility: Consumers widely trust Google reviews. Positive reviews help build a strong reputation, making businesses more appealing to potential clients.
• Traffic & User Base: Billions of searches daily make it the most visited review site. Businesses benefit from a high volume of potential customers discovering their listings.
• Industry Relevance: Suitable for all industries. Whether a restaurant, law firm or retail store, every business type can benefit from being listed.
• Features & Business Tools: Free to use, offering insights, messaging, and booking integrations. These tools help businesses manage customer interactions efficiently.

Being on Google Business Profile increases visibility and helps businesses attract customers who are actively looking for their products or services.

2. Yelp

Yelp is known for its extensive user-generated reviews, making it a valuable platform for local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and service industries. It allows customers to leave detailed feedback, which influences potential clients.

Why Yelp is a strong choice for businesses:

• Domain Authority & SEO Visibility: High—Yelp pages often rank well in search results. A business with strong Yelp reviews is more likely to appear in search results, which in turn attracts more traffic.
• Trust & Credibility: Strong moderation helps reduce fake reviews. This provides businesses with an authentic review system that builds credibility.
• Traffic & User Base: Millions rely on Yelp for recommendations. Businesses listed here gain exposure to users actively looking for recommendations.
• Industry Relevance: Best for restaurants, retail, service providers, and local professionals. Businesses in these industries benefit most from Yelp’s review-driven model.
• Features & Business Tools: Provides review responses, paid ads, and analytics. Yelp also invests in credible reviews through its “Yelp Elite Squad,” whose reviews significantly influence business ratings.²

Yelp is an excellent option for businesses relying on customer reviews to attract more clients and build reputation.

3. Facebook Reviews

Facebook Reviews allow businesses to collect recommendations from customers while engaging directly with them. Since people often trust reviews from friends and family, this platform is beneficial for businesses looking to build a community presence.

How Facebook Reviews can benefit businesses:

• Domain Authority & SEO Visibility: Facebook pages appear in search results and social feeds. This helps businesses gain organic visibility across both search engines and social platforms.
• Trust & Credibility: Reviews from friends boost authenticity. Since users often see reviews from people they know, businesses can benefit from word-of-mouth credibility.
• Traffic & User Base: Facebook has over 2.7 billion monthly users, making it an important platform for business engagement.³
• Industry Relevance: Ideal for B2C businesses, including retail, hospitality, and service industries. Businesses focused on direct customer engagement will find Facebook particularly useful.
• Features & Business Tools: Includes direct messaging, advertising options, and engagement insights. These tools allow businesses to interact with customers and promote their services.

Facebook Reviews help businesses connect with their audience in a personal way, leveraging social trust to attract more customers.

4. Better Business Bureau (BBB)

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a nonprofit that helps consumers find reputable businesses. Accreditation by BBB improves credibility and signals trustworthiness to potential customers.

Here’s why businesses consider BBB:

• Domain Authority & SEO Visibility: Strong reputation, though less dominant in SEO than Google or Yelp. This means businesses can establish credibility but may need additional strategies to enhance search visibility.
• Trust & Credibility: Known for verified business accreditation and dispute resolution services. Research found that BBB accreditation provides a level of trust and credibility, particularly for small businesses.⁴
• Traffic & User Base: High traffic from consumers checking business legitimacy. Many consumers visit BBB to verify a company before making a purchase decision.
• Industry Relevance: Best for professional services, home services, and contractors. These industries benefit most from BBB’s credibility-driven approach.
• Features & Business Tools: Offers accreditation, complaint resolution, and rating visibility. These tools help businesses manage their reputation and handle disputes professionally.

For businesses that prioritize trust and reputation, BBB provides a structured way to establish credibility and resolve customer concerns.

5. Trustpilot

Trustpilot is a widely recognized platform for collecting consumer feedback. It is particularly beneficial for online businesses, software companies, and service providers looking to build a strong reputation.

What makes Trustpilot valuable for businesses:

• Domain Authority & SEO Visibility: High—Trustpilot pages rank well for brand-related searches. Businesses with positive reviews here gain visibility in search results.
• Trust & Credibility: Transparent, verified customer feedback enhances trust. Research from 2022 found that machine learning models could predict sentiment in Trustpilot reviews with over 98% accuracy, reinforcing the reliability of reviews.⁵
• Traffic & User Base: Global reach with strong visibility in e-commerce and tech. Businesses operating online or in digital industries benefit from this exposure.
• Industry Relevance: Best for online businesses, software companies, and service providers. Businesses in these industries gain the most from Trustpilot’s model.
• Features & Business Tools: Provides review widgets, verified purchase options, and automated review requests. These tools help businesses collect and showcase reviews effectively.

Trustpilot is an excellent choice for businesses looking to build trust through verified customer feedback, especially in the online and technology space.

Summary Table: Local Review Websites Compared

Platform	SEO Visibility	Trust & Credibility	Traffic & User Base	Industry Relevance	Business Tools & Features
Google Business Profile	High	Strong consumer trust	Billions of searches	All industries	Free insights, messaging, booking
Yelp	High	Moderated reviews	Millions of users	Restaurants, retail, services	Paid ads, analytics, review responses
Facebook Reviews	Medium	Friend-based trust	Billions of users	B2C businesses	Messaging, ads, engagement insights
Better Business Bureau	Moderate	Verified accreditation	High traffic	Professional & home services	Accreditation, complaint resolution
Trustpilot	High	Verified customer reviews	Global audience	Online businesses, tech	Review widgets, automated requests

Final Thoughts

Each review platform serves different business needs. Here’s a breakdown of who benefits most from each:

• Google Business Profile: Ideal for all businesses aiming to rank in local searches and Google Maps.
• Yelp: Best suited for restaurants, retail stores, and service-based businesses that rely on customer feedback.
• Facebook Reviews: Great for businesses that want to engage with customers through social media.
• Better Business Bureau: A strong choice for professional services, home contractors, and businesses seeking verified accreditation.
• Trustpilot: Most beneficial for online businesses, e-commerce brands, and software companies looking for verified reviews.

Getting listed on multiple platforms maximizes exposure and builds credibility. Choosing the right mix depends on the industry, target audience, and business goals.

How Wisevu Can Help

At Wisevu, we specialize in helping businesses identify the best platforms for their industry, ensuring they maximize credibility and visibility. Our team provides customized strategies to enhance your review management, optimize SEO performance, and improve customer engagement across multiple platforms. Contact us today!

References

1. Raketa, Dima. “How Reviews and Ratings Affect Clients’ Buying Decisions.” Forbes, 13 Aug. 2024, www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2024/07/11/how-reviews-and-ratings-affect-clients-buying-decisions.
2. C. Marti et al. “Credibility and Conformity : The Effect of the Yelp Elite.” (2018).
3. Anmol Tyagi et al. “Customer Reviews on Facebook.” International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research (2023). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i02.2132.
4. K. J. Lacho et al. “How a Better Business Bureau (Bbb) Can Help BBB Accredited Small Business Members.” The Entrepreneurial Executive, 15 (2010): 99.
5. L. Davoodi et al. “A Comparative Study of Machine Learning Models for Sentiment Analysis: Customer Reviews of E-Commerce Platforms.” (2022): 27. https://doi.org/10.18690/um.fov.4.2022.13.