Positive Google Reviews can really impact your
business. These independent ratings of
your business can increase your credibility and pique the interest of Google
searchers when they see your high marks online. Research shows that 84% of
people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation (Bright Local
2018). Because Google is one of the most utilized and trusted search engines,
it’s more important than ever to utilize their Reviews.
As you probably know, when you perform a search in Google,
the results page will show any businesses that have a Google My Business
listing. In this listing, you can profile your contact information, photos,
news and gather customer reviews.
One of the greatest benefits of Google Reviews is how they
can boost your local search engine ranking. Google favors businesses that have
frequent and positive reviews on their Google My Business listing.
Additionally, there are no fees associated with leaving or responding to a
Google Review. Great reviews are
positive endorsements or free advertising for your business.
How to Get Great Reviews
Come up with a strategy for collecting positive Google Reviews.
Consider all the ways you create great experiences and outcomes for your
clients and how you can be proactive about securing reviews from them.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Personally Request the Review
Did you just have a great client interaction in your store?
Or maybe you’ve spent months on a client project that surpassed its goals?
These are great opportunities to personally ask (in person or by phone) for a
Google Review.
2. Add a Google Review Link in Your Email Signature
If you regularly communicate with clients via email and feel
confident that your reviews will be positive, add a request and link in your
email signature.
3. Ask Partners and Vendors for Reviews
Business partners and established vendors can attest to what
it’s like to work with you. Exchange Reviews to help each other’s SEO and visibility.
Create Your Google Review Link
Clients may be willing to give you that great online review,
but you need to make it easy for them. Here are the steps to create a direct
link to your Google Review form:
1. Search for your business name in Google
2. Find your Business Listing on the right-hand side of the
Google search results page and click on ‘Write a Review’
3. Once the Google Review box pops us, copy the url from the
address bar.
4. This is most likely a very long url. Go to www.tinyurl.com to shorten it into a concise
link.
Make it a strategic part of your sales and marketing processes to ask happy customers to review your business. Great Google ratings will go a long way in improving your digital presence.
Have questions or need help with your Google My Business Listing or Reviews? Contact Jocelyn Murray for help today.
