How to Get More Google Reviews: Practical Tips for Local SEO Success
As someone who has worked in digital marketing and local SEO for many years, I understand the importance of Google reviews for any business aiming to grow. These reviews are more than just feedback—they can influence your search rankings, attract new customers, and build trust. If you’re looking to improve your Google Business Profile and increase customer engagement, this guide will provide you with straightforward strategies that have been proven to work.
Setting Up and Verifying Your Google Business Profile
Before you can start gathering Google reviews, it’s essential to ensure that your Google Business Profile is set up and verified. This step is important because without verification, your business may not show up in Google Maps or local search results.
To get started:
- Sign in to Google My Business: If you haven’t already, create an account and claim your business.
- Verify Your Profile: Google will ask you to verify your business, often by sending a postcard to your address. Once you receive it, enter the verification code into your account.
This process confirms that your business is genuine and opens up the full potential of your Google Business Profile.
Get Your Google Review Link
Creating a direct google review link that customers can use to leave a Google review is an easy and effective way to collect feedback. Here’s how to get that link:
- Log in to Google My Business and select the location you want to manage.
- Go to the Home Menu and find the “Get more reviews” card.
- Copy the Short URL that Google provides.
You can share this link in emails, text messages, or on your website, making it easy for customers to leave a review.
Timing Your Review Requests
When you ask for a Google review can greatly influence whether or not customers leave one. Timing your request to match the customer’s journey can lead to better results. Here’s how to get it right:
- Immediately After Service: For service-based businesses like repair shops, asking for a review right after the job is done is effective. The customer’s positive experience is still fresh in their mind.
- Follow-Up Emails: If you sell products, send a follow-up email a few days after the purchase, once the customer has had time to use the product.
- Customer Satisfaction Surveys: Include a review request at the end of a survey. If a customer indicates they’re happy with your service, encourage them to leave a Google review.
Why Google Reviews Matter for Local SEO
Google reviews play a significant role in how your business is perceived online. They influence how potential customers see you and also affect your position in local search results. Here’s why they’re important:
- Increase Visibility: The more positive reviews you have, the more likely your business is to appear in Google’s Local 3-Pack, the top three businesses Google shows in local searches.
- Build Trust: A higher number of positive reviews signals to potential customers that your business is trustworthy and well-regarded.
- Encourage Engagement: Reviews prompt more interaction with your Google Business Profile, leading to more enquiries and sales.
Rating Methods to Collect Google Reviews
Collecting Google reviews can be approached in various ways, each with its own effectiveness depending on your business model, customer base, and the relationships you have built. Below is a rating of each method out of ten, explaining why it works well (or doesn’t), and the groups of people you might approach for reviews.
1. Asking for Reviews In-Person
Effectiveness: 9/10
Why It’s Effective:
Asking for Google reviews in person is highly effective, particularly for businesses that have direct interactions with their customers, such as cafes, restaurants, and retail shops. The personal touch and immediate interaction make customers more likely to follow through. They appreciate the direct request, especially if they’ve had a positive experience.
Who to Ask:
- Regular Customers: Those who visit your business frequently and are satisfied with your service.
- Satisfied First-Time Customers: New customers who had a particularly good experience.
- Long-Term Clients: Those who have been using your services for a while and have developed a good relationship with your business.
2. Email Campaigns
Effectiveness: 8/10
Why It’s Effective:
Email campaigns are highly effective because they allow you to reach a broad audience with a personalised touch. By following up after a purchase or service with a polite request for a Google review, you make it easy for satisfied customers to share their experience. This method works particularly well when integrated into an automated email sequence.
Who to Ask:
- Previous Customers: Those who have recently made a purchase or used your service.
- Loyal Customers: Customers who are part of a loyalty programme or have subscribed to your newsletters.
- Online Shoppers: Customers who regularly purchase from your online store.
3. Text Message Requests
Effectiveness: 7/10
Why It’s Effective:
Text messages have a high open rate, making them a great way to request Google reviews. The immediacy of SMS can prompt quick responses, especially when the request is sent shortly after a positive interaction. However, some people might find unsolicited texts intrusive, which slightly reduces its effectiveness.
Who to Ask:
- Appointment-Based Customers: Those who have just had a service completed, like a hair salon or auto repair shop.
- Customers with Ongoing Services: Clients who regularly receive services from you, such as cleaning or landscaping.
- Subscribers: Customers who have opted into text message notifications and updates.
4. Leveraging Your Personal and Professional Network
Effectiveness: 6/10
Why It’s Effective:
Tapping into your personal and professional network can be useful, especially for new businesses. Friends, family, and business partners are often willing to leave positive Google reviews to help you get started. However, while these reviews are valuable initially, they may not carry as much weight as reviews from actual paying customers in the long term.
Who to Ask:
- Friends and Family: Those who have experienced your service or are familiar with your business.
- Business Partners: Vendors, suppliers, or other businesses you collaborate with.
- Social Groups: Members of clubs, organisations, or online communities you’re part of.
5. Social Media Engagement
Effectiveness: 7/10
Why It’s Effective:
Social media is a powerful tool for gathering Google reviews, especially if you have an engaged following. By turning positive interactions on platforms like Facebook and Instagram into Google reviews, you can build a strong reputation online. The challenge is that not all social media users will be motivated to leave a review, and it requires active management to maintain effectiveness.
Who to Ask:
- Engaged Followers: Those who regularly interact with your posts or messages.
- Customers Who Share Their Experience: Individuals who tag your business in their posts or stories.
- Influencers and Brand Ambassadors: People who have a significant following and have had a positive experience with your brand.
6. Feedback Surveys
Effectiveness: 6/10
Why It’s Effective:
Feedback surveys are a structured way to gather customer opinions, and including a Google review request at the end can be effective, particularly if the feedback is positive. However, surveys require the customer to take extra steps, which can sometimes reduce follow-through on the review request.
Who to Ask:
- Survey Participants: Customers who have already engaged with your feedback survey.
- High-Rating Customers: Those who have given you high scores in the survey, indicating satisfaction.
- Customers in Loyalty Programmes: Individuals who regularly provide feedback as part of a loyalty or rewards programme.
7. Incentivising Staff to Collect Reviews
Effectiveness: 7/10
Why It’s Effective:
Incentivising staff to ask for Google reviews can be effective because it encourages your team to focus on customer satisfaction and actively seek out feedback. However, the quality of the reviews might vary, depending on how they are solicited, and there’s a fine line between encouraging reviews and pressuring customers.
Who to Ask:
- Satisfied Customers at Checkout: Individuals who have just completed a transaction.
- Service Clients: Those who receive personalised service, such as in salons or consultancies.
- Regulars: Repeat customers who have a rapport with your staff.
8. Adding Review Links to Receipts and Invoices
Effectiveness: 5/10
Why It’s Effective:
Including a Google review link on receipts or invoices is a passive way to ask for reviews. While it’s easy to implement, its effectiveness can be limited as customers often overlook these prompts. It works better as part of a broader strategy rather than relying on it as the main method.
Who to Ask:
- Every Customer: This method works for all customers as it’s included in the standard transaction process.
- Online Shoppers: Those who receive digital receipts or invoices.
- Service-Based Clients: Individuals who receive detailed invoices after a service.
Maintaining a Consistent Flow of Reviews
It’s important to keep a steady stream of Google reviews coming in, rather than gathering a lot all at once. Regular reviews show Google that your business is active and engaged, which can help you maintain or improve your position in search results.
Responding to Reviews
Always respond to your Google reviews, whether they’re positive or negative. This shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving your service. Handling negative reviews with care and professionalism can also help turn a bad situation around.
Showcasing Reviews on Your Website
Adding Google reviews to your website provides social proof and can help with your site’s SEO. Consider featuring reviews that mention specific services or products on relevant pages.
Avoid Buying Reviews
Buying Google reviews is against Google’s guidelines and can lead to serious penalties, including having your reviews removed or your Google Business Profile suspended. Focus on earning authentic reviews through great service and customer engagement.
Handling Missing or Removed Reviews
Sometimes, Google reviews might not show up immediately or could be removed for various reasons. Regularly check your reviews and understand that delays or removals can occur.
By applying these strategies, you can build a strong base of Google reviews that will enhance your business’s online presence, attract more customers, and improve your local search rankings. Stay proactive, keep engaging with your customers, and you’ll see the benefits in no time.
