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RWS Kicks Off NECO University Classes On Reputation Management

Furniture World News Desk on 9/22/2016



RWS Conducts Reputation Management Classes at NECO

Retailer Web Services (RWS) reports that it has kicked off its first of five educational seminars on reputation management at the NECO Alliance show at Foxwoods Resort Casino, which runs through Sept. 20.

Based on the WebFronts Review, automated reputation management software, the RWS educational seminars will provide NECO members with leading industry best practices in online reputation management and how they can be used for retailers to earn more business.

“Research tells us 93 percent of buying decisions are impacted by something posted online while 98 percent of consumers research business reviews before deciding where they will buy their next mattress, furniture or appliance,” said Jennie Gilbert, RWS chief operations officer. “The digital consumer is here to stay, and independent retailers can’t afford to leave their online reputations to chance. Our educational seminars are designed to help retailers effectively manage and make the most out of their positive –and negative—online reviews.”

Among the latest research on how consumers use online reviews to make purchasing decisions, RWS will share insights with NECO members such as: 

  • Increasing a store’s average star ranking from three to four can double the number of prospects willing to shop there. 

  • Consumers are four times more likely to take it upon themselves to leave a negative review than a positive one.

  • Soliciting reviews the right way can make a consumer nearly five times more likely to leave a positive review.

  • Stores can multiply the awareness of positive reviews by showcasing them on their website and sharing them on social media. 


More about Retailer Web Services: Founded in 2006, Retailer Web Services (RWS) is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based provider of proprietary e-commerce, web design and other high-performance software solutions to help independent retailers achieve success. A champion of independent retailers, RWS is an authoritative source on durable goods product data and consumer purchasing habits. RE:THiNK: 11 surprising things you should do now to win retail customers in the digital age (RWS, 2015) provides actionable advice grounded in the way consumers shop for durable goods. RWS serves more than 2,000 independent durable goods retailers across North America. For more information, visit www.retailerwebservices.com.