29 Jan Why Google Reviews Are Important & How To Get Them
How often have you checked Google before deciding whether to part with your hard-earned cash and purchase a service or product from a business? We’re guessing plenty, and you’re not the only one. According to research, nearly 81% of internet users say they first check Google Reviews before deciding to purchase from a business.
With more than five billion users on the internet, that’s a whole lot of people you’re missing out on if you’re not taking advantage of Google My Business.
With so many products and services available on the internet, it can be tough to find something that matches your needs. It’s no surprise then that there’s a big emphasis on social proof as potential customers look to their peers to inform them about their experience with your business before they commit themselves.
Google Reviews are the first thing that pops up when users search for your business, so if these are not good (or there are none), it can cause potential customers to lose trust and move on.
What Are Google Reviews?
Google Reviews are online reviews customers leave on your Google My Business platform. It helps your business stand out and provides valuable information to potential customers. Customers don’t need a Gmail account, so it’s incredibly easy for anyone to post a review. When users search for your business on Google or Google Maps, expect your business to pop up, along with reviews from previous customers. This is often the first introduction users have to your business, so it’s important to make a good first impression.
Why Are Google Reviews Important?
Data collected in 2022 showed that Google processes around 99 000 searches every second. It’s the biggest and most trusted search engine out there. This alone should exhibit how important Google Reviews are to your business. Here are a few more reasons:
It Boosts Local Search Rankings:
Google Reviews are important for search engine optimisation and can help boost your local search rankings. It helps the search engine determine your relevance, and since its top priority is to ensure users receive relevant results, it will help match you with related search queries.
It Builds Credibility:
Your marketing may be the bee’s knees, but customers are more likely to trust an honest review over an incredible marketing campaign. In today’s digitally-focused world, online reviews have a huge impact and can help your business build trust and credibility. Because Google is the leading and most trusted search engine out there, customers are prone to convert when they read reviews from their online peers.
It Helps Your Business Grow
Feedback is the cornerstone of any business as it provides you with essential information on how you can improve your products or services. Whether it’s a positive or negative review, this offers you better feedback on what’s great about your business and what you should work on. Remember, all feedback is good feedback.
How To Get Google Reviews
Now that you have a better understanding of how Google reviews impact your business, how do you get more of them? Here are just a few simple ways to get started:
Just Ask: While this may seem obvious and a little nerve-wracking, a great way to get more reviews is by asking. Whether that’s popping an email to a customer after they’ve made a purchase or kindly asking them in person, it never hurts to ask.
Make it easy: Make it easier for customers to leave a review by sending them a link to your business page. You can do this by completing the following steps:
- Go to your Google My Business Account
- Click the Home tab
- Find “Get your first review” or “Get more reviews”
- Click “Share review form” and copy the link (be sure to shorten the link)
Add it to your website: Did you know you can add Google reviews to your website? Creating a dedicated webpage with these reviews not only makes it easier for users but will help customers establish why they should trust you. Make sure you also include a Call To Action to help users find this dedicated review page.
Thank customers: Customers want to know they’re valuable to your business, so responding to positive reviews by leaving a little “Thank you” is a great way to show gratitude for their support. Don’t forget to respond to negative reviews too! However, make sure you do this tactfully. Read our blog post on The Dos And Donts Of Responding To Negative Reviews.
Google Reviews Matter
Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, the conclusion is the same: Google Reviews are important! It helps improve your search rankings, fosters trust and is a great way to ensure conversions.
We know that your product or service is great, but encouraging positive reviews from customers is a fantastic way to let other people know you’re great too!
We would love to help your business reach new heights. Whether you’re looking to create an effective Digital Marketing or Social Media Strategy, speak to SOMS Digital Agency about developing a strategy that works for the needs of your business.
Originally posted 2023-06-21 15:37:10.