Reviews and testimonials are crucial aspects of any business. Before investing money in a product or service, customers like to see if they’re partnering with the right business, and quality reviews play a vital role. Notice that emphasis on quality…
Not exactly a quality review.
And one of the top places people look for reviews is on Google. Not only does your business need more Google reviews to thrive, but you want loyal customers to leave quality reviews to give a complete view of what your business has to offer.
As a consumer, you’re probably already familiar with just how important Google reviews can be. For instance, when you want to buy a laptop and are confused about some options, what do you do? You probably read the reviews online to ensure you’re buying the right device for your needs.
In this post, we’ll talk about all things Google reviews to help you improve the quality of your online reputation, including:
- The benefits of getting more Google reviews for your business.
- How to get Google reviews for your business.
- Google review FAQ’s.
More Google reviews for your business mean more trust with customers and leads generated, so let’s rev up your review strategy!
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Why is getting more Google reviews important?
Google is one of the most influential sources on the internet to look for social proof around a business and to determine whether or not a customer wants to move forward.
In fact, 90% of consumers look at Google before visiting or buying from a business.
Here are some ways Google reviews and testimonials can help your business:
1. They build trust for your business
Customers will only buy from you if they trust you’re the perfect solution to their problem. Be it a product or service–trust and transparency play an essential role in influencing the buyer’s journey. Not only that, but 93% of people read online reviews before making a purchase.
Customer reviews on Google can help potential customers gather more information about the effectiveness of your product, the kind of customer service you provide, and if you’re the right fit for their requirements.
Customers trust reviews and honest feedback given by other customers more than claims by the brand itself because reviews are seen as impartial and, therefore, more trustworthy.
Positive reviews on Google and how you respond to them can help build consumer trust in your brand.
2. Google reviews can increase online visibility through SEO
Google reviews are a part of Google Business Profile listings–a free service for businesses. It’s one of the best ways to boost your online presence without spending a dime on paid advertisements.
For example, if you’re a digital marketing agency and have optimized your listing for local SEO, you can get found easily.
And, good Google reviews can increase your chances of showing up for relevant local searches–especially those with “best” in the query. For example, when someone searches for “best dealership near me,” Google will only show Google Business Profile listings with a star rating of 4.0 or above.
This means if you have a high star rating, your listing could show on the search results page above traditional organic listings which can drive more traffic to your website.
3. Reviews can help convince and convert more customers
An optimized Google Business Profile listing with reviews by customers is likely to drive potential leads to your small business website. This will bring them closer to the purchase stage, and if your website is persuasive enough, they might convert. (This is just one reason SEO can be used for lead generation!)
For brick-and-mortar businesses, having a good number of Google reviews can increase customer visits to your location and increase conversions. The reviews set an automatic sales funnel for your business where the customer reviews do the trust-building and your website does the persuasion (that’s why they’re an important part of bandwagon marketing).
Related: Check out online review stats that show the importance of Google reviews.
How to get more reviews on Google
Here are seven ways to get more Google reviews for your business.
1. Ask for Google reviews
The number one way to get more reviews is to ASK. And, not just some customers, but every customer.
So, once you’ve finished working with a customer or are in the middle of a project with a client, ask them to leave you a review.
But remember, it’s imperative to ask for a review at the right time. And the best time is when your customer is happy.
Here are some best practices to ask for a Google review:
- Tell them the exact steps to follow to leave a review.
- Provide them with a direct link to your Google Business Profile.
- Share some examples of your top reviews so they can get an idea of what others have said about your business.
- If applicable, give your client a review on their GMB listing or LinkedIn profile to reciprocate.
Asking is an easy step to make, but many businesses are afraid of asking for a review in the fear that they might get a negative one or the customer may not prefer giving one. However, you need to take a leap of faith. (Plus, 70% of people will leave a review if asked!)
2. Add a review link to your website or thank-you email
Make it easier for your customers to leave you a Google review by adding a review link on your website or sending a custom link via email. It makes the process easier because now the customer needs to fill in the details without doing any hard work.
To generate a custom Google review link, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Business Profile account.
- Select the location or business you want to manage.
- Click on the ‘Get more reviews’ button.
- Create a custom short URL by clicking the pencil to edit.
- Share with your customers.
Use this link on your website as a pop-up or in your targeted email while you’re thanking the customer or sending them the invoice. The idea is to make it easier for them to follow along so they leave your business a Google review.
3. Provide excellent customer service
A sure-shot way to land more Google reviews is to provide great customer service, which compels them to leave you a review voluntarily. One of the most significant aspects of a business is that you can completely turn it around based on how you treat your customers.
If you build a relationship with them, provide exceptional services, and express gratitude for them being your customer, you win.
Here are some ways to better meet your customer needs:
- Go beyond traditional support and provide personalized help.
- Take feedback from your customers regularly and work on it.
- Identify things you can do better for an improved customer experience.
- Train your team members to be polite and empathetic.
- Make it easy for customers to get in contact with you.
Humanize your business by extending personal support and offering exceptional services to your customers. Once this happens, you won’t have to worry about asking for reviews.
4. Respond to your existing Google reviews
If your customers are taking out the time to leave you a review, you must reply to them. Inevitably, no business gets only positive reviews. There will be negative reviews, as well. However, the key is to respond to both of them with politeness and gratitude.
For negative reviews, many businesses don’t reply. However, your response to those reviews is essential because that shows how much you value your customers and how seriously you take feedback.
When you get a negative review, consider the following best practices:
- Apologize for their experience.
- Understand the situation by getting in touch with them personally.
- Ask them what happened and how can you improve it.
- Offer them an incentive that makes up for the negative review or service.
When you get a positive review, thank them.
However, there are times you may need to delete a Google review if you feel it violates Google’s terms.
5. Share your positive reviews
Any positive Google reviews your business receives should be celebrated! Be sure you share positive reviews on your business’s website and social media platforms to help remind other customers to leave their feedback.
Not only will this help highlight any great Google reviews you get, but it can also entice other customers to follow suit and leave even more feedback. Not every potential customer may make it to your Google listing initially, so promoting your positive Google reviews across other marketing channels will broaden the awareness of your Google presence.
6. Invest in review generation tools
If you’ve tried multiple methods of getting reviews from your customers online and still haven’t managed to score a greater number, don’t worry. There’s another comparatively simpler way to do that–a review generation tool.
These tools automate the process to help you ask verified customers or clients for reviews.
Review generation tools have templates to use your brand voice, colors, and style to create campaigns that ask your customers for feedback. You just need to insert your customer details once, and it will send out review requests and follow up with them.
It’s a great way to automate review generation and ensure every customer is leaving you a review.
7. Frequently update your Google Business Profile
When customers jump to your Google Business Profile to leave a review, you don’t want them to feel like they’re in the wrong place. Be sure your customers know they’ve landed on the correct and most up-to-date listing for your business by maintaining brand consistency throughout your profile.
This means your listing should include high-quality photos, a thorough business description, updated operating hours, and Google Business Profile Posts to showcase the latest news from your business.
This updated Google Business Profile makes leaving a Google review for this small business both easy and enticing.
Google review FAQ’s
Still have questions when it comes to getting Google reviews for your business? We’ve got you covered:
Where do Google reviews for my business show up?
Google reviews appear on the search engine results page when you search for a particular business.
Can you purchase Google reviews?
No, Google reviews are given by customers and cannot be manipulated by your brand. In fact, putting money behind your Google reviews violates Google’s guidelines. This is the reason why customers worldwide depend on Google for authentic reviews about a business!
Can you ask for 5-star Google reviews?
While you can’t pay people to leave reviews for your business or provide an incentive for them to leave reviews, asking loyal customers to leave Google reviews is both recommended and encouraged to help grow your business’s online presence! However, Google does prohibit soliciting reviews in bulk or asking for specific types of reviews. Get more tips on how to ask for reviews here!
Do people trust 5-star reviews?
Yes! In fact, 72% of people say that positive reviews make them trust a local business more. Moreover, 92% of people will choose to do business with a local business if it has at least a 4-star rating.
However, a mix of both positive and negative reviews is ideal. That’s because bad reviews can be good for business, too, as 82% of people look for bad reviews specifically to help them set their expectations accordingly. Often, how you respond to reviews matters more than the type of Google reviews you get.
Can you get fake Google reviews?
There are times you may need to delete a Google review if you feel it violates Google’s terms. Unfortunately, fake Google reviews may pop up occasionally. While Google will automatically remove any reviews that are inappropriate, profane, or offensive, it’s important to regularly check your Google reviews. That way, you can flag any fake reviews for removal through your Google Business Profile.
If it’s coming from a customer who doesn’t sound or look familiar, or someone who hasn’t frequently reviewed other businesses in the past, that could indicate your Google review could be fake.
Can you delete Google reviews?
Yes! If a review violates Google’s policy, it can be flagged for removal. Check out our complete post on how to delete Google reviews that breaks down easy steps to handle any rogue Google Business Profile activity.
Start getting more Google reviews for your business
Google reviews are the best free promotion you can get online. Customers listen to other customers, and when you provide excellent services, they become your brand ambassadors.
Be it for an online store, a home services business, or any business in between, reviews can significantly influence your potential customers and convince them to swipe the card.
So, create a review generation strategy for your business to get more feedback from your customers and stand out from your competitors.
To recap, here’s how to more Google reviews in seven easy steps:
- Ask for Google reviews
- Create a shareable review link
- Provide excellent customer service
- Respond to existing reviews
- Share positive reviews
- Invest in review generation tools
- Frequently update your Google Business Profile listing
Want to know how your Google Business Profile and other listings look online? Try our free business listings grader!
