“Dodgy or so-NOT?”
That is actually the question running through the mind of the 90% of customers that are online researching local businesses every single day!
Whether you are a tradie, real estate agent, mortgage broker or hairdresser, the truth is, in today’s overcrowded online space, customers actually have no way to tell!
Further with the growing number of online directories and networks that allow “any” business to join, there is strong evidence to show such networks are failing both consumers and businesses by promoting dodgy operators and online price wars.
This problem led to founder Laorence Nohra launching Tradebusters Connect to the already existing Tradebusters® Group. It’s the first Australian word-of-mouth network that accredits local business owners and limits the number it profiles by area. Unlike other networks, it blocks profiling businesses that don’t meet certain criteria and checks.
According to Nohra, “over 84% of consumers trust recommendations as the most influential source of marketing and that’s why Aussies need a network they can trust to save them time and risk. Our message is simple, “we don’t take anyone” and ” we don’t do dodgy”. By splitting businesses online, consumers can instantly see who is a safe and recommended choice. They don’t need to worry about searching on their own or using other hit-and-miss networks”.
Nohra said the idea for a “vetted” network came from interviewing hundreds of business owners and discovering their number one challenge was trying to stand out in the highly competitive online space.
“They don’t have the large budgets to compete online, or, they have been forced to compete with dodgy operators on other networks which destroys their brand and their prices. They can now feel supported by a network that will help them stand out and grow”.
“In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is a failure. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible”. Seth Godin
With the average local business owner having at least 100 local competitors online, the network offers businesses a multi-dimensional online presence solution aimed at helping them cut-through the competition and win more customers than any other network on the market.
This includes:
- Exclusivity. Only three businesses by area and category get a spot
- An interview and reference check process
- A Top 3 Local Business Pick accreditation logo aimed at building their brand as a trusted choice
- An online business editorial to build credibility
- Social media endorsements and marketing
- SEO to reach more customers locally
“No business owner can afford to “look dodgy” online. And they can no longer ignore the fact that customers are influenced with what they see about them. It directly impacts their profits. Since word-of-mouth is ranked as the best form of marketing, the most strategic thing they can do to survive and compete online, ensures they are represented on a word-of-mouth network that customers trust. That’s why they need to make the split!” said Nohra.
Want to make the split?
Tradebusters® Connect is part of the Tradebusters group, and is a Top 3 Local Business Choice word-of-mouth network. This currently includes recommended and vetted service providers in trades, finance, business, wealth and property related services.
For more information on how your business can become an accredited Top 3 Local Business Pick, visit our Tradebusters Connect Membership Page