For any business reviews and testimonials play a huge role in their success. Quality reviews are important as customers ensure they partner with the right brand before investing money in any service or product.
Google is one of the top-most places where people look for reviews. Your business requires more positive Google reviews from your loyal customers to provide a complete overview of what your business offers.
This implies that it is vital to contemplate how to increase Google reviews for your business.
To explain why, Let’s skim through some of the advantages:
Benefits of Increasing Google Reviews
On the internet, Google is the most influential source where customers search for social proof about a business to decide whether or not they should move forward.
In fact, approximately 95% of consumers read Google Reviews before buying from a business.
Let’s look at the benefits of Google Reviews:
Get insights into customer feedback: This comprises what customers like and don’t like about your brand. This will help you know what’s working well and what needs improvement.
Increase your visibility: by having more positive Google reviews, you can boost the Google ranking of your business in local searches.
Convince people to buy: According to research, the number of reviews a product has is the second most important factor that affects people’s perception of product quality and their decision to purchase it.
How to secure more reviews on Google: 6 Effective Tips
1. Ask Your Customers For Google Reviews
One of the best ways to boost your reviews is to ASK, not just a few clients, but every customer.
You can ask your customer to write a review when you are in mid of a project or once you are done working with them.
However, please remember, that it is crucial to request reviews at the appropriate time. The right tie is usually when your client is happy.
Below is the customer review strategy for requesting a Google review:
- Tell them the clear and exact steps on how to leave a review.
- Offer them the direct link to access your Google Business Profile.
- Show a few examples of your best reviews so customers know what others are saying about your business.
- If possible, leave a review for your client in return on their Google My Business or LinkedIn profile.
Many businesses hesitate to ask for a review as they fear getting negative Google feedback or think that customers won’t want to leave any review. However, you should have faith as most people (around 70% ) will write a review if asked.
2. Add A Thank-You Email Or Review Link To Your Website
Sending a thank-you email or adding a review link on your website will make it convenient for your consumers to write you a Google review. Doing this will make the process easier for the customers because now the client can fill in the details without any hard work.
Follow these steps to generate a Google review link:
- Log in to your Google Business Profile account.
- Choose the location or business you wish to manage.
- Click on the ‘Get more reviews’ button.
- Click the pencil icon to edit and create a personalized short URL.
- Share this link with your customers.
3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
- To add your business to Google, go to the profile creation tool.
- Follow the steps which include providing information such as your business name, website URL, and category.
- If a profile for your company exists currently, claim it or follow Google’s steps to ask the current owner for ownership.
- Choose a verification method (email, text message, etc.) after having control of your GBP.
- It might take five business days for Google to verify your profile After that, you can start your Google reviews collection.
4. Offer Exceptional Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is a sure-shot way to get more Google reviews which convinces them to write a review voluntarily. How you treat your customers can completely change your business.
If you build customer trust, express gratitude to them, and offer outstanding service, you win.
Some of the ways to meet your client’s requirements include:
- Provide personalized assistance and go beyond basic support.
- Regularly take your customer’s feedback and work on it.
- Teach your team to be empathetic and polite.
- Ensure your customers can easily get in contact with you.
- Offer an improved User Experience by identifying things you can improvise.
Extend personal support and provide exceptional services to the consumers to humanize your business. Once you do this, asking for reviews won’t be a concern.
5. Respond To The Existing Reviews On Your Google Profile
When your customers are writing you a review, you should respond to them. Possibly, businesses do not receive only positive reviews, there might be some negative reviews too. However, it is crucial to reply to both of them with gratitude and politeness.
Most often many businesses do not reply to negative reviews. But, it is essential to respond to those reviews because it shows how seriously you take feedback and how much you value your consumers.
Consider the below practices in case you receive a negative review.
- Make an apology for their experience.
- Get in touch with them personally to comprehend the situation.
- Ask what happened and how you can make it better.
- Offer some incentive to make up for the bad review or service.
Express gratitude to your customers whenever you receive a positive review.
6. Promote Positive Testimonials
You should celebrate every positive review that your business receives. Ensure to share those positive reviews on your social media platforms and your business’s website. It will help in reminding other clients to write feedback.
Doing so will highlight the amazing Google reviews you get and encourage others to leave their own feedback. Some people might not visit your Google page initially, so promoting your positive reviews on other platforms helps more people learn about your business on Google.
Google Reviews FAQs
No, you can’t. Google reviews come from real customers, and businesses can’t change or pay for them. In fact, paying for reviews violates Google’s rules. That’s why people around the world trust Google for authentic and honest feedback about businesses!