Oven cleaning specialist Ovenu is celebrating after its franchisees earned more than 23,700 maximum five-star reviews.
Such overwhelmingly positive reviews are crucial when it comes to giving customers the confidence to choose a service such as oven valeting, according to a nationwide mini poll conducted by the company.
It found that 67% of respondents said they check and take note of online reviews before first visiting a business.
Franchisees of Ovenu, the leading domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist, which are based throughout the UK have attracted 23,760 five-star ratings on review platform TRUSTist.
Of the 95 franchisees reviewed, 88 attracted the highest rating, five received 4.9, one 4.8 and one 4.3.
Rik Hellewell, Managing Director of Ovenu, said: “It is wonderful that almost 24,000 of our customers have taken the time and trouble to provide a huge vote of confidence in our franchisees’ high standards of service.
“Many people increasingly turn to online reviews when it comes to helping them select a home service, so it’s tremendous to have achieved so many five-star reviews.
However, the poll also found that 59% of people still value and trust a personal recommendation more highly than an online comment.
Rik added: “Whilst excellent online reviews are important, many of our franchisees say they still receive many referrals from the personal recommendations of their loyal customers.
“It’s fantastic to see Ovenu attracting so many positive reviews whether online or by word of mouth. Whichever method, it is indeed gratifying that our franchisees are highly trusted and valued to deliver a quality service.
The franchises which attracted the most five star reviews were Ovenu Warrington with 3,285 followed by Ovenu Wirral South with 1,817 and Ovenu Leeds North West with 1,273.
The research, based on a sample of almost 1,350 people, was derived from mini polls conducted on behalf of Ovenu by independent market research company DRG.
It found that whilst the majority (67%) took note of online reviews, only 13% said they had no effect on their decision to purchase.
While 40% said they trusted an online review as much as a personal recommendation, 59% gave greater weight to an endorsement from a family member, friend or work colleague.
The poll also found that 46% of respondents said overwhelmingly positive reviews meant they would be more willing to pay extra for a product or service.
Meanwhile, 57% said they would require more than 85% positive reviews to have full confidence in a business, whilst just 8% of respondents said they would still part with their cash even if half of the reviews were negative.
