Whether you are comparing insurance businesses or looking for a reliable car dealership, Hellopeter gives you the data you need to choose wisely. Here is how to navigate the platform like a pro.

1. Compare the Best (Industry Search)

Don't just search for a specific business; compare them against their competitors.

• Browse Industries: Click on Industries in the menu and select an industry (e.g., Internet Service Providers or Insurance).

• See the Leaderboard: You will see a list of businesses ranked by their TrustIndex. This allows you to instantly see who the market leader is.

• Compare Side-by-Side: Instead of hoping a business is good, you can choose the one with the highest consistent rating and response rate in their specific sector.
  

2. Check for the Verified Business Badge

Before you spend a cent, look for the Green Verified Badge next to the business's name on their profile.

• What it means: This badge confirms that Hellopeter has verified that the business is a real, operating entity.

• Why it matters: It acts as a safety net. It signals that they care about their customers by responding to reviews and will actively resolve issues.
  
  

3. Recency Matters (The 12-Month Rule)

Business performance can change fast. New management or staff changes can cause service standard to plummet or a struggling business into a market leader.

• The 12-Month Snapshot: To give you the most accurate picture, the Star Rating displayed on a business profile header is calculated using only reviews from the last 12 months.

• Why? This ensures you are judging a business on who they are today, not who they were three years ago.
  

4. Check the TrustIndex

Don't just look at the Star Rating; look at the TrustIndex (shown in the image above).

• What is it? The TrustIndex is a score out of 10 that measures the overall "reputation health" of a business.

• More than just stars: It looks at multiple factors beyond just the review score. It includes their average time to reply, and weights recent reviews more heavily. 

• The takeaway: A business with a high TrustIndex is highly active, consistent, and trusted by the community.
  
  

5. Use the Review Trends Chart

We have replaced the old static filters with a dynamic Review Trends Chart. This widget allows you to visually spot patterns in a business's service levels over time.

• Spot the Trend: Look at the colour coded lines to see the business's journey.

  • Green Lines: Represent positive feedback (4 & 5 stars).

  • Red/Orange Lines: Represent negative feedback (1, 2 & 3 stars).

  • Pro Tip: If you see the red line spiking recently while the green line drops, the business might be going through a service slump.

• Filter your View: Click the Filter Reviews button to toggle the time period (e.g., Last 3 Months, 6 Months, All Time) or isolate specific star ratings.

• Dynamic Results: The list of reviews below the chart will automatically update to match whatever filters you apply on the graph.