More on Ratings: Four Ways to Sell More Services

Becky McCray

So far, we've looked at how ratings can help sales and how reviews sell more product. Now it's time for service businesses. Here are four ways to use ratings to sell more of your services.

1. Use a five-star rating.Think of hotel or restaurant ratings. Can you adapt a star rating scale, or something similar, to your services? We're not all five-star service providers, with all the luxuries and a high price. Some of us are two- or three-star, comfortable and capable at a terrific price. Can you creatively convey that with a rating?

2. Consider your certifications as a type of rating. My income tax preparer is an enrolled agent, certified by the Internal Revenue Service. That is an effective rating of her skill. Can you use your own certifications as ratings?

3. Capture customer satisfaction ratings.Doing a great job at satisfying customers? Capture and share your satisfaction ratings. People will feel more confident in signing up for your service if 99 percent of your customers are "highly satisfied." If you're not doing a great job at satisfying customers, focus on that problem! Fix it! Fix it now.

4. Get rated by an expert. Is there an expert in your field who does ratings? Travel service businesses get AAA ratings or Mobil Travel Guide ratings. Look around your industry for acknowledged experts. Search for reviews of your services online. You might be surprised what has already been written about you.

Becky McCray is a small - town entrepreneur, the co-owner of a liquor store and cattle ranch. She writes about small business and rural issues at Small Biz Survival, based on her own successes and failures. As a consultant, she helps small businesses and small - town governmentsget things funded and get things done. McCray is also a noted speaker on small - business issues. She blogs at Small Biz Survival.