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A guide for businesses to learn effective strategies to get more Google Reviews. The why’s and how’s of presenting your business in the best possible light.
Customer reviews are generic which means it can come from a variety of sources, can be hosted on various platforms like a business's own website, social media, or third-party review sites like Yelp and Facebook.
The best way to generate credibility and visibility is through customer reviews online. The first stop for most consumers before looking at any industry-specific listings is Google My Business. This is because with Google it’s easier to reach a more extensive customer base and enjoy a competitive advantage, businesses are focusing on creating optimized review listings on Google.
Google Reviews are feedback left by customers about their experiences with businesses. These reviews appear on a business's Google My Business (GMB) listing, giving potential customers valuable insights into the quality of services, and overall customer satisfaction. These reviews not only help to maintain your online reputation but helps with local SEO as well.
Setting up Google My Business for reviews is a great way to enhance your online presence and reputation. Here are the short steps to get started:
Reviews can significantly influence potential customers, so maintaining a positive and responsive presence on Google My Business is crucial for your online reputation.
Google Business Profile is a user-driven platform that allows customers to share their experiences and opinions about businesses. It operates within Google Maps and the Google search ecosystem. Customers rate businesses using a star system and leave written feedback. These reviews are visible to anyone searching for the business, influencing potential customers' decisions.
The more positive reviews a business accumulates, the higher its ranking and visibility in local search results. Businesses on Google also need to consider review recency, quantity, and the reviewer's credibility. Businesses can respond to reviews, engage with customers, and publicly address concerns.
There are many benefits of having an impactful Google review listing is for your business:
Reviews are highly influential on consumer behavior. Positive reviews can help attract more customers and increase revenue.
Google considers reviews a mark of credibility and trustworthiness; the more reviews and ratings you have, the higher you will appear in Google Map Pack.. When a potential customer has reached your business's doorstep, loosing them due to insufficient reviews or mishandling negative reviews becomes an avoidable loss.
With a better online presence and trust-building social proof, you'll get more click-through rates, higher conversions, and a high turnover.
The higher number of Google reviews and ratings are directly proportional to increasing your social proof and making your business more credible and trustworthy.
The impact of Google Business review on search engine visibility has been significant i.e. 75% of consumers make their buying decision after going through the business page. The four crucial factors that heavily influence a business's position in search listings:
A business with a substantial volume of recent positive Google reviews has a higher chance of appearing in Google's local "three-pack," which features the top three locations in a "Near Me" search. To generate and manage google reviews, it's essential to have a system in place for requesting them.
Recent reviews are more credible than older ones that might contain outdated information. Reviews older than 3 months are not considered relevant. Collecting reviews on a scheduled basis instead of all at once builds a reliable record of customer experiences over time, instilling trust in potential customers.
Longer reviews that provide detailed feedback are perceived as more trustworthy than shorter ones which can spread to 500 words. Ask customers for reviews who are capable of offering meaningful insights.
Search engines evaluate the quality of a review based on the number of stars customers award. A higher average star rating like 4.3 star rating is better than a lower rating that significantly impacts the search result rankings. Therefore, it's crucial to encourage lots of positive ratings to maintain a high average score.
Google Reviews can impact a business's SEO efforts significantly. Positive reviews and higher ratings can improve a business's local search ranking, making it more visible to potential customers in local search results. Responding to reviews also signals to search engines that the business is actively engaging with customers, which can positively influence SEO rankings.
According to SEJ, In Google’s business page the review score is derived from user ratings and various other factors such as rich snippets.
This comprehensive calculation ensures that the overall score accurately represents the quality of the business or place. After receiving a new review, it might take approximately two weeks for the review score to be updated and reflect the latest feedback.
If you want to calculate the average ratings on the accumulated feedback, use tools to calculate the reviews required on your Google Business Profile.
Customer reviews on Google will make your business stand out and yield more convertible leads. But how do you get reviews?
Start with asking for Reviews.
Make it as easy as possible for your customer to leave a review. Provide your customers a direct link or Google QR code scanner to the review page.
Politely request them to share their experience and always express gratitude, regardless of whether the review is positive or negative. Responding to reviews shows the customers that you care for them.
Appreciate customers to review you services and reinforce the value that you derive from their feedback to improve your services.
If the review process involves several steps, offer clear instructions on how to leave a review.
An email is an excellent way to ask for reviews. It's convenient for the customer, not pushy or aggressive, and the whole process can be completely automated, saving you time, energy and money. Here's how to do it right:
A Google review request should always be tailored to both the customer as well as your brand. Your review request should be instantly recognizable. Here are some parameters to adhere to:
Try to save them time by including a link to your Google business. If you use a review management solution it would be easier for you to ask your customers to leave a review.
Start by expressing your appreciation for their business and support. It is good practice to be polite and show your gratitude to the customer for reviewing your local business and providing assurance.
You could also show your appreciation by incentivizing reviews with loyalty programs - like loyalty points they can use to get a discount. They are a great way to increase conversion and encourage repeat business.
Encourage the customer to share their thoughts on Google business profile. Ask them to provide detailed feedback about what they liked, what could be improved, and any aspects they found valuable.
If you've tried multiple methods of getting customer reviews online and still haven't managed to appear on the page 1 local SEO results, don't worry. There's another comparatively simpler way to do that–a review generation tool. Online review management software like Freshreview helps to collect, manage and display reviews for your business easily.
Asking for a review should be done strategically to maximize the likelihood of receiving positive and meaningful feedback. Here are some suitable times to ask for reviews:
If a customer has just had a positive experience with your product or service, it's the moment to request a review.
If you run a service-based business, consider asking for a review right after the customer completes their purchase or receives your services. The experience will still be fresh in their mind, increasing the chances of a response.
For businesses with loyal customers or ongoing engagements, you can ask customers to leave reviews periodically, especially if you notice they have been consistently happy.
If the customer is happy, they would be more than happy to give 5-star Google reviews.
"A positive review has the potential to convert visitors into paying clients.” With such reviews, you can answer a customer's questions and understand the customer’s sentiment.
By using reviews, you are putting your customers first and letting them know that you care about them.
Before you indulge in and send review requests to everybody on your database, look for your strongest brand advocates first. Consider these points:
Consistency is the key here. Review management software like Freshreview will help collect Google reviews on your website. But also remember that this may sometimes lead to negative feedback on certain occasions, which isn't necessarily bad. There are several ways to handle negative reviews about your business, but turning them into happy customers initially will get you started on a positive note.
Online reviews hold significant sway over consumer decisions for positive and negative reviews on your Google business profile, shaping their choices. By empathetically responding to Google reviews, businesses can turn unfavorable experiences into positive ones. Moreover, acknowledging and expressing appreciation for positive reviews fosters customer loyalty. Responding to positive reviews enhances reputation and strengthens rapport with customers.
The way you respond to reviews are important, it helps to mitigate any negative feedback and showcases your commitment to customer satisfaction. There are essential do's and don'ts to ensure a positive online reputation.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage and enhance your online reputation, build customer trust, and foster a positive relationship with your audience.
You cannot essentially remove negative reviews but can manage these negative reviews effectively, by taking certain measures. This can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates. Managing these reviews requires a delicate approach, just keep following points in mind:
By handling negative reviews gracefully, you can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates, showcasing your commitment to exceptional customer service and continuous improvement.
As you improve your rating, refrain from seeking shortcuts to persuade customers to positive reviews.
Manipulation will lead you to failure. Instead, work on managing your Google reviews and improving your Google business profile. Embrace authenticity in your approach, and let your dedication shine through.
But don't just stop at the review collection. Make reviews an integral part of your broader marketing strategy, and you'll find that customer feedback soon becomes your most incredible sales pitch.
Try Freshreview's free trial to get more reviews! Get started today, credit card not required.
Freshreview is a cutting-edge software-as-a-service solution designed to facilitate the efficient gathering and management of customer reviews for businesses. It provides organizations with features to review collection, monitor, and display widgets.
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