No News is Good News Like Bad or Good Reviews

Quality Business Solutions takes tremendous pride in the outstanding customer service we provide to all of our clients. 

Because of this, QBS has earned a solid reputation for taking great care of our customers while going over and beyond and building solid relationships each day. We realize it is our clients and good customers who keep us in business.  We are thankful for that.

And… like most successful businesses out there, the QBS doors are wide open to receive both good and bad reviews from the fast and fury of the world wide web.  Out in the open, we are under the possibility of mob-hit scrutiny wrapped up nicely in a FAKE review on one of the many platforms that offer the option to share open details about any company – at any time.

Randomly, sometimes suddenly – the dreaded one-star review hits your timeline on a Monday morning, Wednesday evening, or Friday – right before you are headed out the door.   This can be the norm these days for those who run a successful business… people want revenge and hide behind a fake one-star review. 

After frantic research, a few questions and check of the full database of possibilities – you discover it is from a disgruntled former employee who was bad at their job; a competitor that is not good at what they do; or the significant other of a client who did not pay their bill or broke a contract; all are someone who has too much time on their hands and is out to get “keyboard revenge”.  You know the type – we call them “online bullies” or pathetic “trolls”.

Don’t get me wrong; I completely understand having a bad experience and wanting to write a scathing review – We’ve all had our fair share of head scratching scenarios, experienced bad customer service, poor attitudes, or cold french fries – and most mature and intelligent folks simply move on.  Not the keyboard terrorist though – These trolls attack (without a spine) with callous and no sign of truth, filled with lies on purpose to hurt a business and their employees – this is just simply unacceptable.

Fake reviews are written all the time about good businesses.  You would think any normal person would at least understand the unnecessary pain caused from the falsehoods of fake reviews – but no, there are people who don’t think twice about making up lies and bashing innocent people with their selfish and dis-honest type-writing acts.  

We’ve even had previous employees make up fake companies, fake names, or use alias fake accounts to create hate – on purpose.

We’ve successfully had fake reviews removed in the past.  It is not easy, and it takes patience, a bit of good timing, some diligent research on the chosen platform and persistent communication.

Can we avoid delusional and fake reviews?  No.  We do what we can to have the review removed; methodically.  It takes time to follow the proper channels and it can be frustrating to prove the obvious, but through detailed steps, communication and follow up – you may be able to have a review removed, identified or deemed as powerless because of your trustworthy approach and professional response. 

Here are steps from Google on how to handle and respond to reviews.

Here are steps from Yelp – just kidding, Yelp is a joke without a punchline.  Don’t even try – just un-claim your business and move on.  The best link to share with Yelp is:  Yelps reviews on the Yelp website – hilarious.  

In the end, you cannot control what people do.  You can focus on the customers and clients that help your business grow and take good care of the employees and people you trust.  Your company’s brand will always be at risk when “open for business”, so stay calm and move forward.  The best revenge is success.  No one behind a keyboard can ever take that away from you. 

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If you’re interested in learning more about how QBS can protect your reputation in Google, please call or email me.

Dan Appleget
Director of Marketing & Web Development
Quality Business Solutions
410-337-3700