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If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you understand how crucial Google reviews are for any local business. Prospective customers compare your company to similar businesses in the area, and online reviews provide a way for your business to shine. The Google My Business platform is reliable and trustworthy, making it an integral part of any local SEO plan. Plus,Google reviews will remain essential in 2022 as they continue to help bring in new clientele.

The three most important, yet simple ways to get more Google reviews:

  1. Ask for a Google review
  2. Show how to leave a review
  3. Remind them to review you

Think about it: when you shop on Amazon, what is the one thing you do before you check out? I bet you read the reviews. Am I right?

Reviews are one of the first things I check before even clicking into a product. In just a few seconds, I can see if other users enjoyed the product and if it’s something I’d be interested in learning more about. If there’s a low star rating though, that usually tells me that the experience or item itself isn’t worth my time.

In addition to looking at the stars given by reviewers, I also take note of how many people have reviewed the product. Why? Because if only one person gave it five stars, then I cannot be certain that the product is actually as great as it seems. One opinion isn’t enough for me- I prefer seeing ratings from 3-5 different people before making a decision about whether or not to trust a business. If there are plenty of reviews with positive ratings, then I know that the company is most likely reliable.

The same is true for Google reviews.

Google Reviews As A Deciding Factor

When time is of the essence and you need to find a reliable plumbing professional quick, which one will you choose? Go with TN Plumbing Solutions. Although they have a slightly lower score, they boast many more customer reviews than GNC Plumbing – who only has ONE. With such an essential service, it’s best to go with the company that can show off their consistent quality via positive feedback from past clients.

We’ve talked about this before, but Google has changed the way we do things online. WithIts user-friendly tools, people can now make decisions without having to visit a company’s website. For example, somebody could read reviews and see a business’ location and pictures all from SERP. Consequently, local businesses should be really pay attention to their Google reviews because they act as the initial deciding factor for many people when choosing which company to go with. A good star rating goes a long way in convincing potential customers to call or click into your website instead of your competitor’s.

Even if you have the best logo or most aesthetically-pleasing profile photo, customers are highly unlikely to reach out to your business if your ratings and reviews aren’t good.  Garnered local reviews from customers is integral for your business’ Google ranking and SEO. It’s the primary deciding factor when it comes to acquiring new clientele via Google traffic.

To put this into perspective, let’s say I am located in Nashville and need a plumber. These are the first two Google results along with a map displaying their proximity to my location.

How Do I Get More Google Reviews?

There’s no magic formula here, but there are three steps you can take to get more:

Asking For Google Reviews

You can’t get around asking your customers/clients to review you; it’s that simple. You must ask someone to leave a review if you’re going to get a review. There’s several ways to approach this:

  • Ask after you complete a job
  • Ask the latest customer you have interacted with
  • Ask through an email
  • Ask when you send a bill
  • Ask when you conclude a conversation on the phone

If you want more reviews, don’t be afraid to ask your customers! It may feel a little weird at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. Start by asking customers with whom you have close relationships. That way, it’s less likely they’ll say no. Plus, the more reviews you have, the better chance new potential customers will take notice of your business.

Showing How To Leave A Review

The video above goes over how to leave a review. Some of your customers might know already, but some might not have any idea how to do it. For those that don’t, here are quick instructions on leaving a Google review:

  1. Sign into Google (Gmail account)
  2. Search for your business on Google
  3. Click to leave a review
  4. Select star rating, write review and submit.

The key to getting customers to leave a review is showing them that they need to sign into Google and go directly to your business listing. The fewer questions or confusion they have, the more time they’ll be willing spend leaving a review. You can also provide them with a direct link to your Google Maps reviews page.

Can I link a customer to review me on Google My Business?

Follow these easy steps to find the web link to your review section:

1. Search for your business on Google (you may have to do this away from your location for the GMB info to show on the right hand side)

2. Click the reviews section within your GMB information

3. Click “Write a review”

4. Now select the entire link at the top and copy it. This link is what you can provide to people.

This is the gateway to getting more Google reviews. The link immediately sends someone to the review section of your GMB (Google My Business). This way, they won’t get lost along the way.

We all lead busy lives and sometimes forget things. When you ask someone to leave a review, keep in mind that they likely have many other items on their to-do list for the day. It may take them a week or longer to get around to writing the review. They may even forget altogether. Be sure to follow up with them within two weeks and remind them about leaving a review so they don’t forget altogether. A little nudge now and then goes a long way!

Where Are Google Reviews Shown? 

If you’re new to Google reviews and having your business/organization on Google then you may wonder where the reviews actually show…

Google reviews will show in two prominent places: 

1. WITHIN GOOGLE SEARCH RESULTS

When searching for a business/organization by name, and they have a Google My Business listing, then you will see their listing and any reviews for them directly in the search results. You can also be searching for something local, such as “local hamburger joint,” and see Google reviews for those listed in Google’s search results. We call that section of maps listings in Google the “local pack,” and you can immediately their star rating, which is derived from their Google reviews.

2. WITHIN GOOGLE MAPS RESULTS 

Google reviews for businesses and organizations are important because they can be seen by millions of people using Google Search and Google Maps. If you don’t have anyGoogle reviews, it will be listed as such which makes it difficult to stand out from the competition.

A good method to see if you’re making progress is to compare the number of reviews you have with your competition. If they have more, then it’s time to put in some extra effort. However, if they have less than congratulate yourself, but don’t stop there. Keep aiming to get even more Google reviews.

What do we recommend you do? 

If you see a Google review that is fake or malicious, take these two steps: first, flag the review; second, respond to it. If possible, write your response on the same day that you read the original comment. Even if the reviewer’s claims are untrue, act like they’re legitimate and offer to make things right–this will show other readers that your organization cares about its customers and their experiences.

Third, if the review isn’t removed by Google after a week or more, follow up with them through the support section of your Google My Business dashboard. Try to email or call the Google My Business support team regarding the issue and plead your case.

Instead of being scared of negative reviews, think about how your business handles them. Customers and potential customers will see this as a reflection on your brand, which is probably more important than the review itself. If you believe a review is unfair, say so in your response. Be polite and kind when doing so. Apologize for where your organization went wrong, and if possible, offer to make the situation right. This way, anyone who reads this negative review will also get your side of the story and see that even when things don’t go according to plan, you’re willing to take responsibility and learn from mistakes.

Get Out There & Get Google Reviews

Currently, check to see how many reviews you have on your Google business listing. ‘Google’ your business and take a look. Your goal should be to acquire 5 or 10 reviews. Make a list of customers you could ask for a review from. If you can’t think of 5 happy customers off the top of your head, then consult with someone in your business who talks to clients frequently. Write down their names and reach out to them–show them why it’s important, and remind them often. With some effort, you will succeed in getting those valuable customer reviews that’ll leadTo get more leads for your businesses.

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