Tanzania, July 17 -- Dar es Salaam. Businesses have long relied on advertising, word-of-mouth recommendations and face-to-face interactions to build their reputations.

Today, however, digital platforms are reshaping that landscape, with online reviews and social media comments increasingly influencing purchasing decisions before customers even step through the door.

From restaurants and hotels to retail shops and online stores, businesses are facing a new reality where customer experiences shared online can either attract new clients or drive them away.

Technology enthusiast Dominick Dismas said online reviews had fundamentally changed the relationship between businesses and consumers by giving customers greater influence over a brand'...