This Just In: The Top Cringe-Worthy Phrases for 2017

We promise this isn’t about what you think it’s about!

We all have them… you know, those words and phrases that make us absolutely cringe when we hear them. What are your (least) “favorites”?

How about these:

  • Shifting paradigms
  • Circle around
  • Revisit
  • It’s crunch-time!
  • Shifting paradigms (sorry, so bad we had to list it twice!)

Search online and you’ll see volumes of the most overused phrases that we all just, well… overuse.

We could go on but let’s stop there and all just cringe together. Ready? Okay! (aren’t you glad that’s over now?)

Well, as our sub-headline promised (you just looked at it again, didn’t you?), this blog post is NOT about “those” words and phrases. This is about OUR version of the most terrible, horrible, no good, very bad phrases we fear and despise here at Fingerprint Marketing (hey, it’s our blog and you’re reading it so stick with us!)

Ready? Okay!

 

Here’s our list:
  • “I can do our website much cheaper by using __________.” (insert DIY website builder name here)
  • “A website is SOOOOO expensive. I’ll just go without one for a while longer.”
  • “Yeah, yeah. They want thousands to build it and then you have to call them with every single teeny-weeny change and they’ll get to it when they can. Our Christmas specials will get posted in mid-July — I can see it now. They just want our money!”
  • “You want to charge me how much to do my website? Are You #@&%$^! Kidding Me Right Now?”

It’s in print so it’s official. The stuff on this list (and many more) make us cringe every single time we hear a business owner say it.

 

And to answer a few burning questions:

Yes, you could say that we “do” websites here at Fingerprint Marketing.  More accurately, we partner with businesses to create beautiful, dynamic, optimized, responsive websites that genuinely reflect your company, your brand, your message,and  your story, all while taking care of your “business”. Websites where your ideal customers, clients, patients, patrons, and the like can find YOU because they ARE searching for YOU. They want you, they need you, so make it easy for them to find you!

Are websites “expensive’? Websites can cost a lot of money. Or not. It’s all relative and, if you factor in the opportunity cost, you may just find the paradigm has shifted and it’s time to circle around to revisit the topic now that it’s crunch-time. (Okay, we SO apologize for that but do you get our point? We knew you would because if you’re still reading, you must be really sharp!)

We could quote costs but the range of $5,000-$50,000 might make you cringe more than lists of overused words.

Can you go without a website in 2017? Ha ha ha. Put it this way: You can’t AFFORD to go without a website. Another quick search using the Google search engine (see, we didn’t use it as a verb) will display statistics that between 50 and 90% of potential customers will check out a business online BEFORE visiting or calling a traditional “brick and mortar”. This is not just retail locations but includes medical/dental facilities, attorney offices, schools, banks, restaurants, theaters, entertainment centers (both family-oriented and “others”!), service providers of all types, government agencies, etc. That doesn’t even touch businesses who do some or all of their business and/or transactions online.

So, the answer is NO – you cannot go without an online presence today unless you are intentionally hiding your business from the world (maybe that’s another blog post for another day!)

Do you have to have all of that “stuff” on your site — more stuff = more money, right? We could try to tell you everything you need on your website but, again, that’s taking another dangerous shot in the dark. You and your business are unique (and if you aren’t unique, we’d like to have a separate conversation with you!) Your website is not just a page in cyberspace with your name, logo, and a phone number on it. There was a time when that sort of worked. But let’s face it, those days are gone forever even as bell-bottoms circle back around.

Remember, there was also a time when doctors, dentists, and lawyers went to doctor, dentist, and lawyer school to graduate with top-notch doctor, dentist, and lawyer skills. All the marketing they needed was a sign outside their office and a yellow page ad. Somehow, this made the phone magically ring. (If you’re a doctor, dentist, or lawyer, what is your “cringe factor” right now?)

 

See, it’s like this:
  • It takes smart people to design and build great websites that will help you do amazing things in your business
  • Smart people deserve great money for the amazing work they do!
  • Great websites take powerful technology that will help you do amazing things in your business
  • Powerful technology costs a few bucks

That is all.

At Fingerprint Marketing, we have great people who will partner with you to design and create your ideal website so that you can do what you do best — run your business.

The cost? We’ll get to that when we talk.

Contact us and, together, we’ll do some amazing and powerful things in your business!

 

 

Addressing the Most Frequent Review Objections

Q: But I do have the most reviews overall! Why should I work to get 2 reviews a week when I have 300 more than my next closest competitor?

A: Because those 300 extra reviews likely happened over 5 years. Google doesn’t care. Google cares about which business is actively engaging now. Think of it this way: In a town with two bakeries, would you trust the one that was popular in 2018 or the one that has fresh 4.8-star reviews from yesterday?

Q: How can I automation reviews without looking “spammy” or robotic?

A: The key is timing and personalization. An email sent 4 days later is spam. An email triggered 24 hours later by their POS interaction, referencing their specific visit, and saying, “We love seeing you!” feels like a personalized follow-up. Keep your request language human and humble: “We’re a local business that thrives on honest feedback…” rather than “GIVE US 5 STARS!”

Q: Will getting a 4.1-star review on my 90-day rolling average hurt me more than helpful old 5-star reviews?

A: This is nuanced. A single, recent 4.1 review won’t “tank” you, as your overall (though less-weighted) average is still high. However, if your last 10 reviews in the 90-day window average to a 3.5, you will almost certainly drop in rankings, as Google sees you as a business that is currently underperforming, despite past success. This is why automation that triggers happy customers is critical.

Q: Is it true that Google filters “glowing” 5-star reviews as fake more than “authentic” average reviews?

A: No, that’s a myth. However, Google (and users) do look at patterns. Fifty identical, one-word “GREAT!” reviews left in two days will get flagged. A steady stream of slightly detailed (e.g., mentioning a specific employee or dish), varied (e.g., some detailed 4-star, some simple 5-star) reviews left consistently over weeks is the goal. Authenticity (a mix of opinions) does increase user trust, which improves conversion rate, but Google won’t penalize a legitimate string of recent 5-star acclaim.

Q: If the 90-day window is so critical, what happens if I go on vacation and get 0 reviews for two weeks?

A: This will absolutely create a “dip” in your ranking signals. While you won’t drop from #1 to #20 overnight, your competitors who continued to receive consistent feedback during those two weeks will gain algorithmic ground. This is the ultimate argument for automation. Your automation triggers reviews while you sleep, making your presence constant.

Q: My customers are mostly older/not tech-savvy. How can I possibly automate this or get them to leave a digital review?

A: This is a real challenge, but not insurmountable. Automation can adapt. Instead of automated SMS, use simplified technology: A physical table tablet at checkout that asks for email/phone, or a single-click “feedback” kiosk that opens a form (though this must be used carefully so it’s not a “captive review”). The most effective way is to pair automation (like the email) with a human script: Have staff hand them an appointment card with a QR code and say: “We love serving you! If you get an email from us tomorrow asking for feedback, we would truly value your perspective.”

Conclusion

The old playbook of gathering as many reviews as possible is dead. In 2026, dominance on Google Maps belongs to the businesses that have integrated review generation into their operational DNA.

Success in local SEO now requires prioritizing Review Velocity over total quantity. It demands recognizing the overwhelming influence of the current 90-Day Window. By naturally automating your review acquisition—from post-appointment emails to SMS triggers at point-of-sale—you are ensuring a sustainable, steady stream of feedback that proves to Google and customers alike that your business is vibrant, reliable, and relevant today.

Stop focusing on the count. Start focusing on the flow.

Want us to help you grow your reviews consistently? Let’s Chat!

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