Let’s talk about Google reviews
Believe me, if you have a client and something goes wrong, they will not hesitate to share their negative experience, write a bad review and tell the world about it. However, this can be offset by having a balanced representation of positive, satisfied, and happy client reviews.
Online reviews from customers are important for businesses because they provide valuable insights into customer satisfaction and can help increase the credibility of a business.
Google reviews are big deal for businesses, those are the social proof that they provide a great service. And let’s face it, we all want to know if a business is worth our time and money before we try it out. Plus having a bunch of positive reviews can help boost the business’s online presence, making it easier for potential customers to find them.
And as a cherry on top, Google pays attention to how many and what kind of reviews a business gets, which is actually affects where is shows up in search results.
How to ask for reviews?
In working toward the goal of reviews on Google, the first step is to request reviews from your happy clients. Aim for quantity, and quality as the reviews should be new, unique and previously unpublished anywhere else. They can be displayed on your website, or other trusted review sites. When placed on your website, there should be a different one on each relevant page or practice area.
Here are a few ideas for how a business can ask for reviews:
- After providing great service:
You could say something like, “We’re so glad you had a great experience with us! If you have a moment, we’d love it if you could leave us a review on Google. It helps others see just how much they can trust us too.” - In an email follow-up:
You could write, “Thanks for choosing us! We hope you loved your experience. If you have a second, would you mind leaving us a review on Google? Your thoughts mean the world to us.” - Email signature:
Place your direct review link to your email signature, which is one of the most viewed marketing tool for a business. - Send a text message:
Write a nice email with your direct link and send it as text message. Most people submit reviews via mobile devices and due to various technologies, including dictation typing, clients can often do this more easily than via email. - On social media:
You could post, “Hey everyone! If you had a great experience with us, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? It would mean the world to us! Thanks in advance!” - On your website:
You could add a simple call-to-action such as, “Love our products/services? Let others know by leaving us a review on Google.”
These are just a few examples, but the key is to make the request in a friendly, non-intrusive way. Making the request in person increases the chances that customers will be willing to leave a review.
In conclusion, asking for Google reviews is a great way for businesses to increase their online visibility and credibility. By providing excellent customer service, following up with satisfied customers, and including calls-to-action on your website and social media, you can encourage customers to leave a review and improve your online reputation.
Increase Your Google Five Stars Ratings
Boost Quantity
The more four and five star ratings you have, the better your average will be. If you are starting to acquire reviews, focus on quantity. Ask for a review when you are finishing a project, or when the customer is at a big milestone.
Keep Providing Great Client Service
As with any service-based business, great service often leads to great reviews. Do not forget to share this with your employees, especially if they are interacting with the customers.
Do Not Ignore Negative Reviews
Although they can be discouraging, everybody receives a negative review once in a while. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Resist the temptation to freak out, and do not ignore the negative review. Consider the following tips for responding to negative reviews:
- Do not respond immediately. Take time and think it over to avoid responding out of emotion or defensiveness.
- Gather the facts related to customer concerns.
- Proceed with empathy.
- Compose your thoughts and write out a draft before posting anything.
- Be as brief as possible. Three or four sentences might be best.
- Realize that some people cannot be satisfied, so after trying your best, simply move on.
Note, that Google reviews can be changed by the reviewer. If you resolved the issue with the client, ask them politely if they would change the 2 starts rating and update their review.
What To Do When a Google Review Is Not Showing Up
Because too many fraud reviews were on the Google Business Pages, right now Google is more strict about publishing them. Many times the reviewer sees the review on his own account, but it is still not published. Even real client reviews can be flagged.
Below, you can find out what to do when a Google review is not showing up:
- Gather evidence.
If a Google review is not showing up, gather any evidence you can that relates to the new review you cannot see on your GBP listing. This typically involves getting screenshots of both the email notification you received of the review and the reviews currently listed on your GBP profile to demonstrate that a review is missing. - Seek support.
If Google recently suspended your GBP listing, speak to their support team and use your reinstatement details and case number to transfer any missing reviews to your new listing. In contrast, if Google did not suspend your listing, ask Google’s support team to help with locating your missing reviews. Try this link first to get support - Ask the online community.
If Google’s support team does not resolve the issue, consider posting your issue on Google’s community forums. Doing this, you may attract the attention of a helpful Google employee who might assist with this matter further.
Summery
Reviews are very important for clients and therefore they are important for businesses.
The main thing is that your should start doing it. Don’t be shy! Reviews are an important part of your marketing and growing your business.
