How to get Google reviews and boost local SEO

Utilize Google reviews to boost SEO

How to get Google reviews

Whatever you do, do not be tempted to buy fake reviews. Customers can sniff out fake reviews, and so can search engines. Google explicitly states in its terms that you mustn’t offer or accept money in exchange for reviews. It has also penalized businesses that incentivized customers to leave a review through an online competition. It’s simply not worth the risk. Instead, create a strategy that will encourage customers to leave honest reviews organically.

1. Create a short Google review link

Assuming you have already verified your business with Google, you can create a short, easily shareable Google review link for your business. The process is very simple.

1. On your computer, log in to your Google My Business profile.
2. Select the business you want to create a short link for.
3. Enter a short (<32 characters) name for your business. If the most obvious option isn’t available, include the location of your business.
4. Click “apply” and await approval.
5. Now you have a short and memorable URL to share with your customers. It will appear is g.page/[yourcustomname].

2. Include the link in post-purchase emails

Research shows that around 70% of reviews come from post-purchase emails. You want this

email to land in your customers’ inboxes after they’ve received the product and had a chance to

use it. This “share your experience” email should be separate from the order confirmation email and

should include a prominent call to action prompting them to leave substantial feedback.

3. Share the link to your website

Create a “review” button on your website, and generate a Google review badge to encourage

people to click through and leave their own review. Embed Google reviews into your website and

feature them as client testimonials. Link the images to your short URL.

4. Reply to reviews

A study by Harvard Business Review found that once businesses began responding to reviews,

they received 12% more reviews, and their ratings increased by 0.12 stars. When management is

shown to take customer care seriously it directly improves your relationship with that customer.

More generally, it also improves both current and prospective customers’ perceptions of your

business.

These benefits apply when responding to both positive and negative reviews. Make sure you tailor

your responses so that the reviewer feels they are truly heard. Instead of dismissing or making

excuses for negative reviews, apply the best customer care to address their issue and show that

you are willing to take necessary action to improve.

Follow these actionable tips to boost the number of Google reviews your business has, your rating, and

your local SEO ranking.