From Word of Mouth to Online Reviews: How Does Digital Presence Strengthen the Reputation of Local Businesses in Rijeka?

In the world of small and medium-sized businesses, local reputation has always been worth its weight in gold. For centuries, business has been built “by word of mouth” – a satisfied customer would tell a neighbor, friend or family about good service. Today, that tradition has moved into the digital space. Recommendations are no longer shared only over coffee, but also through online reviews, social networks and forums. For local businesses in Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and beyond, understanding and managing your digital reputation has become just as important, if not more important, than traditional “word of mouth” marketing. In this blog post, we will explore how digital presence merges with local popularity and how Widget D.o.o. can help you build and strengthen your online reputation.

Traditional word-of-mouth marketing is still powerful, but its evolution into online reviews and testimonials on platforms like Google My Business, Facebook, or specialized industry portals means that a single positive (or negative) interaction can reach hundreds, even thousands, of potential customers. For a local business in Rijeka, online reviews have become crucial. They are the modern “whisper,” the foundation for trust and credibility. Potential customers today check online reviews before making a purchase or calling. High ratings and positive comments directly influence their purchasing decisions, as they create a sense of security and confirm the quality of your service. Online reviews also have a significant impact on local SEO rankings. Google uses them as one of the important factors when determining the position of your business in local searches and Google Maps. More positive reviews can set you apart from the competition. In addition, reviews are an invaluable source of feedback for improving your business.

A strong digital reputation for a local business consists of several key elements. The central part is a professional website that serves as a credible source of information about your services, experience and values. It is a place where you can highlight your strongest assets and include testimonials from satisfied clients, such as those we saw on the TERMO-ADO USLUGE d.o.o. website, with specific examples and names of clients from Rijeka who have entrusted them with their projects. Optimizing your Google My Business profile is absolutely crucial; it ensures that your business appears in local searches and maps, and through it, reviews are collected and managed. It is important to have a strategy for collecting reviews - actively encouraging satisfied customers to leave feedback. It is equally important to respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative, demonstrating customer care. A presence on relevant social networks also contributes to reputation, providing another channel for interaction and sharing success.

TERMO-ADO USLUGE d.o.o. is a bright example of how local popularity, gained through years of quality work (since 2016, with over 5,000 satisfied clients), can be successfully transferred and strengthened with a digital presence. Their website, which we at Widget D.o.o. created, clearly shows their expertise in heating, gas, water and air conditioning installations and highlights numerous positive testimonials, ensuring that their offline reputation receives strong online confirmation and attracts new clients in Rijeka and PGŽ. Widget D.o.o. It helps you build and manage your online reputation through our web development services (creating a professional hub for your brand), SEO optimization (local SEO, Google My Business optimization, review integration) and strategic reputation management consulting.