Considering that most people look for information online, having positive Google reviews can do a lot for your local business. It can lower bounce rates and even lead to conversion, in the end, bringing your company profit. Moreover, the Google algorithm sees these reviews as user-generated content, meaning that it will use it for ranking your website on the search engine results page. If you want to boost local business with Google reviews, here are things you can do to get the most out of your customers’ feedback.
Create a profile on Google My Business
Google offers every entrepreneur and company to create a business profile that will increase their online visibility. The so-called Google My Business includes reviews with other information about your business, like working hours, but you can’t interact with your customers unless you verify your profile first.
The “Claim Your Business” option allows that, as well as to add, correct, and delete information on your profile, communicate with reviewers, and manage other profile settings. Through online review management platforms, like Reviews.io, you can send automated personalized messages to your customers inviting them to leave Google reviews and complete the surveys.
Get familiar with the process of writing a Google Review
Before you expect customers to leave a review, you need to know the process as well. Start by opening Google Maps and searching for your business. When you click on the result, it will open your Google Business Profile where you can proceed to write a review. Knowing this will help you explain to your customers how to leave feedback if they’ve never used Google reviews before.
Create a full website page for Google reviews
Your website is the first place a customer will look to leave reviews or read them. Use call-to-action options to put the link to Google reviews on your website that will be easy to see and find. However, you can do something better instead —create a website page for Google reviews.
This review page should be available from the navigation menu, footer, and home page, as well as linked via CTA on other pages. To include already left reviews, you can either copy them as plain text or use plug-ins to integrate them with your website. Whichever option you choose, it will allow Google crawlers to go through them and use them to boost your SEO.
Ask for Google reviews in person
Having a strong online presence doesn’t mean you can’t use a personal approach to boost local SEO. When a customer or client comes to your business, use an opportunity to invite them to leave a review on Google. For example, you can make physical cards that will include a small thank you note for using your services and asking them to leave feedback on the printed link.
Make sure that your employees thank the customer in person and ask them to leave a Google review so others can find you. Also, you can include a small gift with a link on it where they can tell more about their experience, like a notebook or a pen.
Put a review shortcut link on your website
Placing a shortcut link to your Google My Business account on your website may be one of the easiest ways to encourage customers to leave a review. You can get this link through the Home tab on your GMB profile by clicking the “Share review form” on the “Get more reviews” section.
All you need to do is copy the link and can add it to your website code for customers to find it. While at that, consider shortening the link to make it more appealing for offline promotion of the link, like a business card. You can use free link shorteners available online that also allow you to customize the shortcut as you see fit.
Explain types of Google reviews to your customers
The point of you learning how to leave a Google review is so you can explain the process to your customers, as well. Besides the technicality of “how to”, you can also tell them what type of review they can leave. For example, the review doesn’t have to be a long paragraph — it’s enough to write a couple of sentences or even one sentence.
Moreover, if a star rating is also available, your customers can leave only that without writing anything at all. After all, not everyone feels inspired to write an elaborate review and may feel more comfortable with opting for this method.
Respond to your customers’ Google reviews
Businesses that communicate with their customers can build a positive reputation for their brand. This means that you should respond to your Google reviews, even if they are not praising you. Customers love to read responses to negative reviews since those tell a lot about the business.
To leave the best impression, respond to such reviews politely and with an effort to resolve the issue. It’s also important to give prompt replies to all reviews, especially the negative ones. It will show your customers that you are open to improvement and providing the best service possible.
Ask for Google review through other online means
Ensure that your social media profiles include the shortcut link to Google reviews, or at least be consistent in reminding your followers of this option. Do this by sharing a screenshot of the most impactful and positive review, and inviting them to give leave their feedback.
Another great way to remind your customers to review your business is by placing a shortcut link in your email signature. Instead of just pasting it there, leave a personal note, in the line of “Are you happy with our services? Tell others about us on Google reviews.”
In the end
Customers love to hear experiences from other customers. Just like getting recommendations from friends, your customers will trust what strangers think about your business and services. If you follow the above-mentioned ways to boost local business with Google reviews, you can reach the rankings and grow. So, use Google reviews as part of your SEO campaign to increase your online presence and promote your brand locally.
