How to 3X Your Google Reviews
Growing your Google Reviews can be a daunting and time-consuming task, requiring consistency and discipline. It’s not uncommon to feel awkward asking customers to leave feedback about your business. However, you’re not alone in experiencing these challenges. Considering the significant impact that reviews have on your online business ranking and success, Google Reviews become an essential activity for every business.
In this blog post, we aim to dispel the fear and loathing around Google Reviews by providing a practical approach to triple your Google Reviews. For most businesses, leveraging Google Reviews is a must-do activity to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape.
In fact, approximately 80% of people now look at reviews before making a purchase. And about 50% of online users trust reviews as much as a friend or family member.
Online reviews play a crucial role in shaping the public’s perception of a business. Increasing the number of positive Google Reviews can enhance your online reputation, improve search rankings, and ultimately drive more traffic to your website or storefront. Which all lead to more profits. Let’s get started.
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
- Train your staff to deliver friendly, attentive, and professional service.
- Offer personalized assistance to make each customer feel valued.
- Address customer concerns promptly and effectively.
If there is one area that is critical to positive reviews, it’s this one: handle small customer issues now before they become negative reviews later. It’s essential to offer customers a variety of channels to address their concerns, such as phone, email, or in-person interactions. By providing multiple avenues for communication, you ensure that customers can choose the method that best suits their needs and preferences, leading to a more satisfying and efficient resolution process. This approach not only improves customer satisfaction but also helps to build trust and loyalty, ultimately leading to more positive reviews.
Make It Easy to Leave a Review
As easy as it sounds, most businesses don’t make it all that easy to leave a review. Plus, customers usually need a little nudge to share their experiences. Make it simple and convenient for them to leave a review by providing clear instructions and direct links to your Google Reviews page. Here are some ways to streamline the review process:
- Include a Google Reviews link on your website, email signature, and social media profiles. Click here to see how to get a link to your Google Review page.
- Display QR codes in your store that lead directly to your Google Reviews page. Click here to see how to generate a QR code for your Google Review page.
- Offer step-by-step instructions on how to leave a review for those who may be unfamiliar with the process.
Download the Google Media Kit for In-Store Signage.
Request Reviews Proactively
While a small majority of customers will leave reviews spontaneously, most will require a gentle reminder. Don’t be afraid to ask for reviews from satisfied customers; most will be happy to oblige… eventually. Here are some strategies for proactively soliciting reviews:
- Send follow-up emails or text messages to customers after they have made a purchase or used your services, thanking them for their patronage and kindly asking for a review.
- Encourage your staff to remind customers to leave a review at the end of their visit or interaction.
- Create eye-catching signage in your store or office inviting customers to share their experiences on Google Reviews. You can even use Google Media Kit to create a display of Reviews that can be printed and physically posted in your store or business.
- Don’t forget. Provide instructions on how to leave a review. If you want more reviews, you have to make it extremely easy for customers to do so. You would be surprised at how many customers have never left a Google Review before. You have to tell them specifically where to go online to leave a review. You may also want to mention to them that posting a review that includes your product/service and city would be appreciated, as this helps with Search Rankings. Plus, it gives them some idea of what to say in their review.
- Do not incentivize customers to leave a review. This is strictly against Google Review policy and can result in the loss of all your reviews. Keep it clean, and beware of 3rd party companies offering to grow your reviews as they may not adhere to Google policies
Here is a sample email template you can use…
Hello {Name},
Thank you for your recent purchase. We appreciate your business and want to be sure you are completely satisfied with your [product, service, etc].
If there are any issues we can assist you with, please contact us at {your email} or {phone}.
We would greatly appreciate it if you will take a few minutes to share a review of your experience with our business. Your feedback not only helps us, but also helps other potential clients decide if they want to do business with us.
Just click the link to leave a Google Review: [Google Review Link].
Thank you,
[Your Brand]
Note: In this template, the customer is provided with an option to contact the business in case there was a problem. In other words, we take care of the customer’s needs fully before asking them to do something on behalf of the business.
Respond to All Reviews
Acknowledging both positive and negative reviews demonstrates that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving your business. Responding to reviews can also encourage others to leave their own feedback. Keep in mind, Google gives more weight to a Review if you respond to it. Why? Your review response signals that your business is alive and you are engaging with customers. Here are some tips for engaging with reviewers:
- Thank reviewers for their positive feedback and express your appreciation for their support.
- Address negative reviews by offering an apology, providing an explanation, and outlining the steps you will take to rectify the issue. If you do it right, often times customers will change their review rating later, or remove it altogether.
Very important. We see on a regular basis where our clients reach out to a disgruntled customer to resolve an issue and 8 times out of 10, the customer not only updates their review but actually turns it into a glowing review of the business.
Customer service is becoming a lost art these days, so outreach to customers in an effort to genuinely resolve an issue goes a long way. - Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews, regardless of their content.
- It’s important to include keywords relating to what your business does. And if you specialize in local business, be sure to include the city. Here is an example, “Thank you for your review regarding the 18-Wheeler lawsuit we won for you here in Austin, TX.”
- Bad reviews aren’t all bad. In fact, having a few bad reviews mixed in with a large number of good reviews, makes your overall review profile look more realistic and trustworthy. A
Showcase Your Reviews
- Post Reviews on your website for online visitors to see along with a link to leave a review.
- Create physical marketing collateral such as POP signage to highlight one or more Google Reviews to be displayed on site.
- Share positive reviews on your social media profiles to showcase customer satisfaction and inspire others to leave their own feedback.
- Create engaging posts that encourage followers to share their experiences on Google Reviews, perhaps by posing a question or highlighting a specific aspect of your business.
- Use social media advertising to target satisfied customers and remind them to leave a review.
Monitor and Analyze Your Reviews
- Set up Google Alerts or use review management tools to stay informed about new reviews as they are posted.
- Analyze trends in the feedback to identify common pain points or recurring compliments.
- Use the insights gained from your reviews to develop strategies for enhancing your customer experience.
- Conclusion
Final Thoughts
If you would like to learn more about growing your Google Reviews, please contact us for more information. We will be happy to assist you.
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Sources: Google