In today’s world, everything is just a click away.
Customers rely heavily on online reviews before making a purchase decision.
In a recent survey, it was found that 90% of customers look at Google before visiting or buying from a business. That’s an overwhelming percentage of people depending on Google before any purchase.
And as one of the most popular review platforms, Google Reviews holds great importance for businesses of all sizes.
This makes Google Reviews an essential part of any decision before buying anything. But it’s not just about getting good reviews, it’s also about constantly getting new ones to stay on the top.
So if you’re wondering how to get more Google Reviews for your business, we’ll do just that. Here are 10 proven strategies to help you achieve your goals quickly and effectively. Let’s dive in!
TLDR:
- Offer Excellent Customer Service
- Ask for Reviews
- Make it Easy to Leave a Review
- Use Google My Business Features
- Make Use of Offline Channels
- Respond to Reviews
- Promote/Brag about your Reviews
- Say No to Paid or Fake Reviews
- Engage with Customers on Multiple Channels
- Train Your Team on Review Management Best Practices
1. Offer Excellent Customer Service
Offering excellent customer service is definitely crucial for building strong customer relationships. But more than that, it also goes as far as encouraging customers to leave positive reviews. When customers feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to share their positive experiences with others.
This is the foundation that businesses should aim for before any reviews can happen.
Here are some tips for improving customer service:
Respond Promptly
It shows that you value their time and that you’re committed to providing excellent service. Make sure that you listen and respond appropriately if they have any complaints. And on top of this, make sure you do the same if there are interactions online. Whether it’s positive or negative, always respond in a timely and professional manner.
Personalised Service
Personalisation is the key to building strong customer relationships. Make sure to address customers by their names and remember their past purchases. This way you can make them feel valued and appreciated. From there, you can offer personalised recommendations to deepen your relationship with them.
Go Above and Beyond
Going the extra mile to meet customer needs can make all the difference. For example, offering free samples or providing a discount can make customers feel special. This small effort can encourage them to leave positive reviews.
Remember, “happy customers are happy to leave reviews.” When customers have a positive experience with your business, they are more likely to share it with others.
2. Ask for Reviews
Not every customer will leave a review on their own. But it may surprise you that when you do ask them, they will oblige. In fact, 65% of customers will leave a review for a business if asked to do so.
Not only does it help to improve your online reputation, but it also provides valuable feedback that can be used to enhance your products or services.
Here are some tips for asking for reviews:
Ask for the review after a great interaction
No better time to ask for a review than when you please a customer. You can be sure that asking a satisfied customer will always give you a great review if they haven’t already.
Display Signage
Use subtle signage to encourage customers to leave reviews for you. Make sure these are visible within your business but not distracting in any way.
Incentives
Offering small incentives, such as a discount or free product, can be an effective way to encourage customers to leave a review. However, be mindful of the pros and cons of offering incentives. While it can help to increase the number of reviews, it may also lead to biased reviews and a potential violation of Google’s review policies. Offer incentives in moderation as not everyone can get one but everyone wants it.
And to help you out, here are some sample phrases for asking for reviews:
In-person:
“Thank you for your purchase! We would really appreciate it if you could leave a review on our Google page.”
Written:
“Dear [Customer Name], we hope you enjoyed your purchase! If you have a moment, could you please leave a review on our Google page? Your feedback helps us to improve our products and services.”
And as an added point, ask other businesses that you work with to leave a review of what it’s like to work with you and vice-versa. You can initiate the review on their business and then ask for a review back. Don’t limit it to customers, reviews from other businesses offer another perspective of what it’s like to work with you.
Lastly, it’s essential to follow up with potential customers who haven’t left a review yet. Be persistent but not annoying, as you don’t want to drive customers away. A simple reminder email or message is usually enough to prompt them to leave a review.
3. Make it Easy to Leave a Review
So you asked for a review after that stellar service but your customer decided not to. Why? It must have been difficult for them to do so.
What do you do now? You make it easy for them.
Making it easy for customers to leave a review is critical in increasing the number of Google Reviews for your business. Customers are more likely to leave a review if the process is straightforward and doesn’t take up too much of their time.
Here are some tips for making it easy for customers to leave a review:
Include a Link on Your Website
Make sure to include a link to your GMB (Google My Business) page on your website. You can add it to your footer or create a separate section for reviews. This way, customers can easily navigate to your GMB page to leave a review.
Send a Direct Link
If you have an email or contact list of customers, send them a direct link to leave a review on your GMB page. This can be done through an email blast or individually.
Use a Review Generation Tool
There are several review generation tools available that can help you automate the review process. These tools enable you to send out review requests to customers via email or text message, making it easy for them to leave a review. This leaves the mundane task easier and lets you reach more customers.
Utilise QR Codes
Scanning QR codes is easy and these are the wave of the future. They’re also great ways to make it easy for customers to leave a review. You can print QR codes on business cards, flyers, or posters, which customers can scan to leave a review on your GMB.
Customised Link Shortcuts
Customised link shortcuts, such as Bitly links, can help to simplify the review process. These links are shorter and easier to remember than long GMB links, making it more convenient for customers to leave a review. Make the links customised as possible so it leaves an impression on your customers.
But remember, reviews don’t have to be lengthy. Even giving a star rating can go a long way in improving your online reputation. And making the review process as easy as possible encourages even more reviews. You can even create self-help videos on how to leave a review to make the process even more accessible. This sends a message that you go the extra mile in guiding your customer on how to do it.
Always remember that you need to keep the quality of your services high and the reviews will follow. When those good reviews roll in, you’ll have a higher chance to rank in Google’s eyes.
4. Use Google My Business Features
And speaking of Google My Business, make sure its features are working in your favour.
Google My Business (GMB) is a free and essential tool for businesses that want to enhance their online presence. If you want your business’s visibility and reputation to soar, use this tool to its full extent.
Here are some tips to do just that:
Claim and optimize your GMB
If you won’t claim it for yourself, it’s not going to work. Only GMB profiles that are claimed and customised will get those sweet reviews. Make sure that your GMB profile has accurate and updated information about your business like address and business name. This way, your profile on Google will not be confused with another business if you share names.
Use the “Write a Review” button
Add the “Write a Review” button to your website, email signature, and other digital channels. This makes it easy for customers to leave reviews and provide feedback.
Utilise Google Q&A
Google Q&A is a powerful tool that can help you connect with potential customers. Use this to address any questions or concerns they may have. Responding to questions on GMB can help build trust and encourage customers to leave positive reviews.
Post updates on Google Posts
This is another tool you can use together with your GMB. Google Posts allows businesses to publish content directly to their GMB profile. This feature can be used to promote special offers, events, or new products. Be an expert on this tool to attract more customers and encourage them to leave positive reviews.
It’s important to remember that having good reviews won’t do you any good if your GMB profile isn’t properly set up. It’s a technical lesson you’ll have to learn. After all, Google’s rules for ranking are a pile of technicalities that you have to dance to the tune of.
5. Make Use of Offline Channels
In the digital age, it’s easy to overlook the importance of offline channels. Google Reviews are online so the focus goes online, too. But it’s worth noting that offline channels can be just as effective in generating reviews. This is especially true for businesses that have and still rely on a physical presence.
Use the offline methods below for your online advantage:
Business Cards and Feedback Cards
These cards have served their use before and still do. Business cards and feedback cards can still be great ways to encourage customers to leave a review. Including a call-to-action or printed review link on your business card or feedback card can prompt customers to leave a review.
Surveys
They’re useful tools for collecting customer feedback. It’s also a great partner when asking for reviews. Include a link to your GMB page whenever you have a survey. The survey can encourage interaction and it’s not a far cry for them to proceed to give you a review.
These offline channels can be used together with the online channels discussed earlier. Review generation tools and direct links work well with these offline tools.
It’s important to note though that offline channels should not be used in isolation. They should work well with your online efforts to produce a better strategy for getting better Google Reviews.
6. Respond to Reviews
Responding to customer queries or complaints in person is one thing but responding online is another. When your Google Reviews are already up and running, you can’t always expect good ones. Bad ones will be there.
It’s not the best metric to measure success though to some, it’s a guide. At least 82% of people look for bad reviews so they can set their expectations with a business before they engage.
And when bad reviews appear, comments almost always come with them. This is where responses are needed to have a laser focus. This is also where opportunities come to turn a bad experience into a good one.
Responding to reviews shows your customers that you value their feedback. It also shows your commitment to providing excellent customer service. And when responding to reviews, you have to:
Respond to Both Positive and Negative Reviews
It’s important to respond to both of these. Responding to positive reviews shows that you appreciate your customers and their feedback while responding to negative reviews shows that you take customer feedback seriously. Balancing the two shows you are committed to addressing both appreciation and concerns.
Timely Responses
It’s also important to respond to reviews promptly. Responding timely to negative reviews can help turn a negative experience into a positive one. It also shows that you are attentive and responsive to customer needs. People see prompt responses as a good sign for business.
Google Acknowledges Businesses that Respond to Reviews
Within Google’s algorithm, review responses are positive activities. Responding to reviews can also help improve your search engine rankings. If you can manage that, your online reputation will follow.
Thank Customers for Positive Reviews
It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad, always thank customers for reviews. When responding to positive reviews, thank the customer. If it’s a bad one, make sure to acknowledge their concerns. This shows that you value their opinion and are grateful for their support.
Address Negative Reviews Professionally and Respectfully
Always take the high road when addressing complaints. Acknowledge the customer’s concerns and offer a solution or a way to make things right. It might be tempting to talk back to bad reviews but that will NEVER end well.
7. Promote/Brag about your Reviews
We mentioned earlier that it’s not just about getting reviews, it’s also about constantly getting new ones. It’s an essential part of staying at the top results when someone searches for your business. To do that, promoting not just your business but the reviews themselves becomes vital. And there’s no better platform to do this than social media.
Promoting your Google Reviews on social media is an excellent way to boost your online presence and attract more customers. To do that effectively, you need to:
Share positive reviews on your social media pages
Good vibes go a long way. Share some of the best reviews on your social media pages. It showcases your business’s positive reputation and customer interactions. Not only does this highlight your credibility, but it also gives your followers an idea of what they can expect from your business.
Include a review link in your social media bios
Always make convenience a priority. Make it easy for your followers to leave a review by including a link to your GMB page in your social media bios. This will increase the likelihood of customers leaving a review on Google.
Encourage followers to leave a review
Engagement with your followers works magic. Use your social media platforms to encourage your followers to leave a review on Google. Post about how important customer reviews are to your business and how much you appreciate their feedback.
Respond to reviews on social media
If someone leaves a review on your social media page, make sure to respond to it. Just like in Google Reviews, make sure to respond on social media the same way. This shows your followers that you value their feedback and care about their experiences with your business.
Remember, good reviews attract even better reviews. Social media reaches far more than you intend to keep it so lively there. Additionally, brag about your good reviews on your own website. You’ll be promoting there one way or another so make sure site visitors will see them clearly.
8. Say No to Paid or Fake Reviews
Paid and fake reviews may seem like an easy way to boost your business’s online reputation, but they can cause more harm than good. Many businesses made this mistake and it didn’t end well for them.
People will indeed trust positive reviews. More than 70% of people trust businesses with positive reviews. But that’s not enough to resort to these kinds of strategies. You won’t want your reputation to tank just because you wanted more good reviews.
Here are some reasons why you should say no to paid and fake Google Reviews:
They can damage your credibility
When customers find out that your reviews are fake or paid, they are likely to lose trust in your business. They may even spread negative word-of-mouth, which can be damaging to your reputation.
They violate Google’s terms of service
Google prohibits businesses from paying for or posting fake reviews. Violating these terms of service can result in penalties, such as being removed from Google’s search results.
They don’t reflect the true customer experience
Paid and fake reviews are just that, paid and fake. They don’t provide an accurate picture of what customers can expect from your business. This can lead to disappointed customers and negative reviews from those who were misled by the fake reviews.
So what do you do now?
Don’t buy reviews
Paid reviews can be tempting, but they can damage your business’s reputation in the long run. Focus on providing excellent service and encouraging organic reviews instead.
Don’t post fake reviews
Again, fake reviews are against Google’s terms of service and can result in penalties. Instead, focus on encouraging honest reviews from real customers.
Monitor your reviews
Regularly monitor your reviews to ensure that they’re legit. If you spot any suspicious reviews, report them to Google at once. Take steps to prevent future fake or paid reviews.
Remember, the best way to build a positive online reputation is to provide excellent service. As a business owner, you should encourage honest reviews from real customers. Stay away from paid and fake reviews and focus on building an authentic online presence.
As a reminder, don’t confuse these paid reviews with paid ads. The paid reviews remain fake but paid Google Ads are legitimate ways to get your visibility up in Google’s ranking. And while paid reviews are shady even in their pricing, Google Ads have intricate processes on how they charge.
9. Engage with Customers on Multiple Channels
You have your social media, your website, and your email list. These are plenty of channels for you to utilise so you can ask for more reviews.
Engaging with customers on multiple channels is a great way to generate more reviews. It can help you get reviews on platforms other than Google, which can have a positive impact back to Google Reviews.
Here are some tips to help you with engagement:
Personalised Follow-up Emails
We mentioned personalised service is key, it’s the same here. Sending personalized follow-up emails after a purchase is a great way to engage with your customers. You can include a link to your Google My Business page and ask them to leave a review if they had a positive experience.
SMS
If your business has a mobile app or allows customers to sign up for text alerts, consider sending them an SMS message after their purchase. This is a quick and easy way to reach your customers and ask for a review.
In-Person Interactions
Don’t forget the power of in-person interactions! Encourage customers to leave a review on Google while they’re still in your business. The simplest way to your goal is also often the best way.
Remember, no matter what channel you use to engage with your customers, the end goal should be to lead them back to leaving a review on Google. With all your channels and avenues for communication, lead them back to where it counts most.
10. Train Your Team on Review Management Best Practices
If you’re fortunate enough to manage a business where you have a team to rely on, this is for you.
When businesses grow, they need to recognise the value of online reviews. Investing in a solid review management strategy becomes a necessity for growth. To do that, a trained team is needed.
If you’re scrambling where to start, follow these:
Conduct regular training sessions
Never be complacent. Make sure your team is up-to-date on the latest best practices for managing reviews. Schedule regular training sessions to review best practices and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Provide resources on responding to reviews
Invest in something that will provide improvement. Provide your team with resources like response templates or examples of well-written responses. Also, be involved in guiding them in responding to reviews professionally and effectively.
Incentivize employees to encourage customers to leave reviews
Encourage your team to promote leaving reviews by offering incentives such as bonuses or recognition. It’s an old but effective strategy for any business.
Designate a dedicated online review monitoring team and response team
Assign specific employees to monitor and respond to reviews. This ensures that reviews are not overlooked and that timely responses are provided.
Providing excellent service is the foundation before any good review. And with a team, this effect is multiplied. Remember, getting a good review is a team effort and not just a one-man job.
Conclusion
Google Reviews are an essential aspect of a business’s online reputation and can significantly impact its success. It’s safe to say that it’s here to stay and will only evolve further. How a business’s visibility online strives will depend on how it gets these reviews. By following these 10 ways to increase Google Reviews, any business can stay on top of searches and their customers’ minds.
