Today I was looking for an air conditioning company in South Jordan, Utah. The air-conditioner we had was not cooling our home. Knowing the best method of finding a quality, trusted, reliable provider, I searched Google to see who had the best 5-STAR rating with believable comments from real customers.

I was able to make my selection and set the appointment by the following:

• Who has the 5-Star rating with more than 5 reviews?
  
• Who answered their phone or had an online chat. 
  
• How did they handle my requests for the appointment?
  
• What was the overall impression of professionalism?
  

The nice thing about Google, Yelp and Trip Advisors, Angie’s List and Facebook is that you can find those companies who care about their own reputation, which is good for the consumer. The 5-Star rating system is achievable by those companies who care enough to follow up with their customers. The happy customers will be willing to take the time to write a review. Any negative comments can be handled by following up with the customer. 

Google gives me the "top view" within the browser of the providers in the area, provides the map, the listed companies and the customers reviews.

What these companies are doing is easy. Use the Great 8 listing companies to expose the business, use the review process and encourage customers to provide a rating.

We have companies that we provide advice to on a regular basis. We focus on customer service, technicians, sales and support. Anyone who touches the customer or any piece of paper or digital writing like email or invoices should remind the customer about a 5-Star Rating request or company of the company and every staff member to achieve.

Makes a lot of sense to me as to why this information would be very important to every small business.