Customer reviews on Google give your business more credibility. Google business reviews from clients and customers are a powerful tool for promoting trust and confidence in your business!
When you’re a small business, online reviews can make a big difference to someone looking for your services. If your business doesn’t have any online reviews, your potential customer may look elsewhere. Google sees these interactions as a positive sign that your website content is relevant which is an essential ranking signal for local SEO.
WHAT MAKES CUSTOMER REVIEWS SO IMPORTANT?
As mentioned, custom reviews can help your business stand out among others offering similar services in a Google search. The first step is to ensure your business has been registered with Google (which you can learn more about here). Any reviews will then appear right next to your business listing in a Google Search as well as Google Maps.
It’s no secret that positive reviews affect purchasing decisions. You know it yourself when it comes to making an online purchase, someone has either told you good things about the product/service or, you read the reviews.
It’s important not to panic if you get a negative review – embrace them because they actually have a surprising positive influence. People like to see a negative review among them all as it seems more authentic when not everything is 5 stars.
WHEN TO ASK FOR A REVIEW:
To capture honest, authentic reviews, the best time to ask for a review is immediately after you complete work for your customer or directly after they have made payment when your business is fresh in their mind.
If a customer has had a pleasant experience with your business, they should be more than willing to shout it from the rooftops. It might feel weird asking for one but in actual fact, most customers are more than happy to oblige.
HOW TO ASK FOR A REVIEW:
The best way to get reviews is simply to ask! Asking for a review in person is a good start, then follow up with an email message to make it easier for your customer to act.
Here’s a few pointers for curating your email message:
- Firstly, thank your client/customer for choosing your business
- Explain why you’re asking for a review (to help grow your business or to let others know you provide a great services)
- Keep the message short and sweet – make it personal and keep the tone casual.
- Make it easy for them by including key points and instructions on how to leave a review
- Include a direct link (sign into your business account and and copy this from your dashboard).
- Thank them for taking the time to add a review.
- Bonus: Offer an incentive! If your business is able to do so, offer a discount or reward in return for a review.
WHAT TO DO AFTER RECEIVING A REVIEW:
Once you get a review, it’s important to go an read it! Take on board any feedback and more importantly write back thanking them publicly for their kind words or offer a solution to anyone who doesn’t give 5 stars. It’s a great way to demonstrate your level of customer service.
All this talk of customer reviews has got us thinking about how awesome you are for reading our posts and how grateful we are for it! Care to leave us a quick review? Click here.
