How to get Google reviews and boost local SEO
Utilize Google reviews to boost SEO
In the age of fake news, Google reviews are gold dust. You can tell potential customers about how great your brand is, but when it comes to creating trust in your brand and boosting local SEO, nothing beats a great review from an
existing customer.
So exactly how important are Google reviews and how can you persuade your
customers to leave them? Let’s find out.
What are the benefits of Google reviews?
1. Boost your credibility
Research from last year revealed that 82% of consumers read reviews online for local businesses, with the average person needing to read 10 reviews before they can trust a business. These statistics are noteworthy. Not only does it show that reviews are not a normal part of the purchasing process for many people, but it also suggests that reviews and trust are directly correlated. For small businesses that are building a reputation from scratch, Google reviews help establish
trustworthiness and credibility.
2. Higher ranking for local SEO
Google explicitly states that “More reviews and positive ratings can improve your "business' local
ranking.” In fact, a Google Rankings Survey from 2018 found that reviews account for a little over
15% of how Google’s search algorithm for local businesses.
3. Customer feedback
What better way to find out the strengths of your business, and areas for improvement than from
hearing directly from your customers? Any business that is serious about becoming a leader in its
field can take criticism and use it to its advantage. Google reviews serve as a feedback loop so
you can address concerns, make necessary changes, and then keep track of whether those
changes have had an effect.
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.
- On your computer, log in to your Google My Business profile.
- Select the business you want to create a short link for.
- Enter a short (<32 characters) name for your business. If the most obvious option isn’t available, include the location of your business.
- Click “apply” and await approval.
- 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.
