Everyone knows that people check Google reviews before they choose a business. So if you want to rank higher on Google, you need to have a lot of positive reviews. But if happy customers are less likely to leave feedback than unhappy ones, how can you make sure you get more 5-star reviews? Here are some tips on how your business can generate good reviews on Google.
How to Get More Google Reviews: Five Effective Tips
1: Ask Your Customers for Feedback
A simple but effective way to generate more reviews is to simply ask for them. Although it may feel awkward to ask for reviews, making it an automatic step after every positive interaction will help make it feel more natural.
Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to ask your customers to leave some feedback. For example, you could ask as soon as a customer has converted, once you’ve sent the bill after completing a job, or after their order has been delivered.
You can even put a QR code that links to your Google Business profile (GBP) on the receipts or thank-you cards that you send. Don’t forget to verify and optimize your GBP—this will make it easier for your customers to find your profile and leave a review.
2: Send a Reminder
If you ask for a review in person, don’t forget to send a follow-up email or text after a week has passed. And make sure to include a custom link to your Google Business profile in the reminder message for convenience. Even if someone has already agreed to give their feedback, they might forget or lose the link.
3: Share Reviews on Social Media
Sharing positive customer reviews is a great way to build your reputation as a trustworthy business and attract more customers. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are effective places to showcase a screenshot of a good review (with the reviewer’s consent) and thank the customer for their feedback. You can also invite others to leave reviews by adding a link to your Google Business profile in the post.
4: Make It Easy
No one wants to jump through hoops to leave a review. Whenever you say “we’d love to hear from you,” it’s important to make it as easy as possible for a customer to follow through.
It’s helpful to add QR codes that customers can easily scan on receipts, menus, and signage inside your store or office. And you can provide links to your GBP in emails, texts, and social media posts. You can also embed Google reviews on your website so potential customers can easily read reviews, and existing customers will have a convenient link to your business profile.
5: Respond to Reviews
Even if your business has a few bad reviews, they won’t necessarily drive potential customers away. Everything depends on how you handle the negative reviews. Promptly responding to criticism shows that you care about your customers and about improving their experience.
Make sure to respond quickly and politely, and request to learn more about their experience via email or a phone call so you can resolve the issue. A compassionate response and a private conversation can sometimes be enough to encourage the reviewer to remove or change their review.
You need to respond to positive feedback, too, so that all of your customers feel heard and valued. Check for new Google reviews on a daily basis, so you can thank customers for their positive reviews, and resolve negative reviews as quickly as possible.
Digital Marketing Services for Small Businesses
Generating more 5-star reviews is just one way to improve your online presence—there are many more tactics you can use to help your business stand out. From improving user experience to content marketing, there are many ways the experts at New Wine Digital can help improve your Google rankings. Give us a call at 480-516-1819 today to learn more about our online marketing services.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/10/2022). Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash