The emergence of the internet and the rise of online services has had an impact on a huge number of areas. The way that we shop, manage money, and undertake a host of other activities has been transformed, with so many services now easily accessible on laptops, mobile, and more.

However, the online world has also changed how we seek out opinions and views on many companies and brands. Word of mouth and recommendations from friends may still have a bearing on our decision-making process, but many of us make use of review sites too.

Highly rated

A number of different sites now specialize in publishing reviews of services, with one of the most notable names being Trustpilot.

The review site features ratings on companies and brands across a wide range of sectors, with its categories including everything from animals and pets to vehicles and transportation. The Trustpilot homepage states that the domain is free and open, while it outlines how posting reviews will support consumers and encourage companies to reach high standards.

The importance of achieving a high rating on the site is highlighted by the fact that some brands choose to display their score on their own pages. For instance, Trussle is an online mortgage broker that searches through thousands of products to help consumers find the most suitable deal.

The brand features its five-star Trustpilot rating prominently at the top of the homepage, while it highlights that its score of 4.8 is based on over 4,000 reviews. Some of the positive feedback has even been published on the site for visitors to read.

Important information?

But, while brands seemingly think their rating on such sites matters, how important is the information to consumers? Well, a recent study has suggested that such sites do come into many people’s thinking.

In the middle of May, YouGov published data related to consumers and their relationship with review sites. It found that 54 percent of adults in the US trusted the sites, while 53 percent of consumers in the UK felt the same way. On the flipside, 21 percent in the US suggested they were distrustful of them, while 18 percent said the same in the UK.

The study went on to consider the key areas that consumers look at on such sites, with many using them to research restaurants. It was also suggested that they are regularly used for checking out movies, travel accommodation, and appliances. All in all, around one in five consumers felt that review sites were very useful.

Helping hand

Advancements in technology have had an impact on so many parts of our lives, but the rise of review sites is a particularly fascinating trend.

Other people’s opinions do matter to many people and these sites are seemingly providing a helping hand as individuals decide whether to opt for a specific product or service. The YouGov findings are really interesting and it will be intriguing to see whether the influence of such sites develops further in the years ahead.