Yelp influences $183 billion in consumer spending annually. If your business relies on local customers, an optimized Yelp page isn't optional — it's essential. Here's how to make yours work.
Why Yelp Still Matters
Despite the rise of Google Reviews, Yelp remains a powerhouse:
- 178 million unique visitors per month
- Top 3 result on Google for most "[business type] near me" searches
- High purchase intent — 97% of Yelp users make a purchase within a week of visiting
- Trust factor — Yelp's review filter is aggressive, which means the reviews that survive are more trusted
Setting Up Your Page
- Claim your listing at biz.yelp.com. If your business is already listed (it probably is), claim it.
- Complete every field — Business name, address, phone, website, hours, price range, categories
- Write your "About" section — Tell your story. Be authentic. Include what makes you different.
- Add photos — Businesses with photos get 2.5x more contact clicks. Add at least 10.
Getting More Reviews (Without Getting Filtered)
Yelp's review filter is notorious. Here's how to get reviews that stick:
- Never ask on Yelp — Yelp penalizes businesses that solicit reviews. Instead, provide exceptional service and let customers find Yelp on their own.
- Put a Yelp badge on your website — A subtle prompt that doesn't violate terms.
- Respond to every review — Good and bad. This shows you care and encourages others to review.
- Focus on regulars — Yelp trusts reviewers with established accounts. Your regular customers are more likely to have active Yelp profiles.
Responding to Negative Reviews
Negative reviews happen. How you respond matters more than the review itself:
- Don't respond emotionally — Wait 24 hours before replying
- Acknowledge the issue — Show you heard them
- Take it offline — Offer to discuss privately: "I'd like to make this right. Please call me at..."
- Keep it brief — Long defensive responses look worse than the original complaint
Let Us Handle It
At CashWebDev, we set up and optimize your Yelp page as part of our business listings service. We handle the profile, photos, category selection, and give you a review strategy that works. Get started today.