Yelp, I Need Someone

I was debating on whether or not to write this blog, but after yet another one of my 5 Star Reviews ending up in the Yelp Filter. I decided to go for it. Yelp, I need someone. I understand that companies need to make money, but unfortunately I feel like Yelp is focusing on extorting money from startup/small businesses looking to grow, all in the name of marking.

As a small business owner, you are constantly being bombarded by companies looking to lend their services to you, for a nominal fee, of course. This includes everything from your local Chamber of Commerce to the offshore companies looking to put you at #1 on Google. And at times it feels like the everyone is out to get you. I recommend kindly asking him or her to please take you off his or her call list, which will work moving forward unfortunately, but not in the present.

After signing up your business on Yelp, you will more than likely receive a phone call from one of their customer service people. They will kindly share the ins and outs of Yelp for Business, which is fine and dandy, but wait there’ more. The conversation will then shift to the real purpose of the call. To get you to sign up. The initial startup for Yelp Business, at the time of this blog is $1,000 and that includes: a professional video for your business and a month of “prime advertising”, which isn’t a bad thing, if you can afford it. The second phase is continuing the “prime advertising”, this will assure that your company will appear anytime anyone searches for a company, in your industry. But it’s not all bad and there is more, Yelp gives you a dashboard that shows all activity as well as all user details, which comes in handy when you are trying to market. You also have the capability of: Creating Ads, Call to Action, edit Business Information, Reviews & Photo’s, Deals,  Gift Certificates, Page Upgrades, Billing information, and Review Badges. All in all if you can afford the $350, a month and it works for you, it’s not a bad deal. One thing that you should be aware of, is that reviews can be caught in the infamous Yelp Filter. Yelp claims that the purpose of the filter is to screen negative reviews by your competition. I have 3 positive reviews from friends that are stuck Some people believe that if you sign up for Yelp those reviews will be released. I’ve talked to another small business owner and after 6 months, she only received 2 leads. After 2 years of having my Yelp Business Account, I have only received 2 call myself. You do the math and figure out the ROI.

I hope I have not bored you too much. I had fun writing this one. I trust I have given you some valuable tips to think about, before planning your next shoot. It’s not all bad, just be clear and informative, it will save you a lot of headaches. Remember nothing is set in stone and there is not perfect formula, so go out and have some fun.