What a remarkable announcement! With online reviews for local businesses being important to more than 90% of consumers today, this was very exciting news. If you have a local business it’s important that you read this article. the excerpt below is followed by a link to the original article found on smallbiztrends.com.
Angie’s List (NASDAQ:ANGI) has finally torn down its paywall.The online reviews site, which has traditionally charged its visitors a $40 annual fee now has its reviews and ratings available for free. This change, which hasn’t attracted a lot of attention online, does actually have a strong implication for many businesses that use the site in terms of managing online reputation.The recent move simply means that any consumer will now be able to surf the website at no cost and more easily choose a service provider, whether it’s an electrician, a painter or a plumber. And just like Yelp, you will also be able to submit your review at no cost.Angie’s List has always had an edge in the home services market. However, unlike Yelp where it’s hard for businesses to cover up bad reviews, in the case of Angie’s List, bad reviews could only be seen by those who pay to access the site.So, get a bad review on Yelp and the whole world knows. But get a bad review on Angie’s List and subscribers might know, but at least it wasn’t all over the web.All that’s changed now, and it means listed businesses also need to get their acts together.
Read the Entire Article Here: Newly Free Angie’s List Will Increase Appeal of Small Biz Listings