Google Reviews for Business: Everything You Need to Know

Google has become the world's leading search engine and is essential for businesses. With so much competition online, Google's review feature is a crucial factor in driving potential customers to or away from your business. A recent report by Statista shows that 55% of internet users trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations when making a purchase. This means that having positive reviews on Google is becoming increasingly important for your business. In this post, we will provide all the information you need to know about Google Reviews, as well as tips on how to increase the number of 5-star reviews and reduce negative reviews.

WHAT ARE GOOGLE REVIEWS AND WHY DO THEY STILL MATTER?

Google Reviews are comments left by current or past customers about a business on Google. In addition to the comments, Google Reviews include a rating out of five stars, which is calculated into a business’ average star rating. When Google first introduced the review feature in 2002, it was one of the first review platforms online. Nowadays, there are many different review platforms online, including social media sites, third-party review sites, and product review sites. Because of this, many people think that Google Reviews aren’t as important as they once were. But being the most visible of all review platforms, Google Reviews remains an important part of online reputation management for many businesses today. Top that with 88% of consumers relying on reviews to discover a local business, the impact Google Reviews has on customer journey cannot be overstated.

TOP 4 BENEFITS OF GOOGLE REVIEWS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

1. Boost exposure and local SEO effortsPositive reviews instil more trust and increase the likelihood of customers conducting business with a company. High-rated Google Business Profile reviews enhance the chances of a business appearing higher in search results, thereby resulting in increased customer acquisition and revenue. Google reviews also serve as a catalyst in improving local SEO, a determinant factor in how well a company performs in local search results. Google reviews create trust and establish credibility with potential customers
2. Improves brand trustReviews from customers are crucial in enhancing brand trust. They furnish insightful feedback that can be utilised to upgrade the products and services of the company. They establish openness and trust between the company and its customers, as customers can observe that the company is actively addressing feedback and making efforts to enhance its offerings. Positive reviews can attract new customers as potential customers will perceive the company to have a credible reputation and that other customers have had satisfactory experiences with Google Reviews.
3. Help with CTR to websitesGoogle reviews give customers a convenient way to gain knowledge about your offerings. The number and quality of reviews on Google are considered while determining the ranking of businesses in search results. High-rated reviews on Google can increase the chances of your business showing up higher in searches, leading to more potential customers and increased website traffic. Google reviews not only boost your click-through rate but also enhance your local search ranking
4. Even helping to increase revenueGoogle Reviews play a pivotal role in amplifying revenue and elevating search rankings. Positive reviews make a business more trustworthy in the eyes of potential customers, ultimately resulting in an increase in customer patronage and revenue. Satisfied customers are more likely to leave glowing reviews, thus fueling an upward revenue spiral

TOP 4 REASONS WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS GOOGLE REVIEWS

1. Digital AwarenessGoogle Reviews can benefit your business by increasing visibility, elevating your SEO, fostering trust, and attracting more customers. Firstly, they increase visibility by boosting the visibility of your business in search results. Secondly, they enhance your search engine ranking, resulting in more website traffic. Lastly, they establish trust and authenticity, which enhances your credibility.
2. Customer ConsiderationsReviews have become a crucial aspect that customers take into consideration when making purchasing decisions. They offer an impartial point of view, demonstrate how attentive a business is towards customer feedback and assist customers in identifying businesses that align with their needs.
3. Engage Customer PurchaseGoogle Reviews can foster customer engagement and prompt them to make a transaction. Prospective customers can browse through reviews to gain an understanding of other customer's experience, which in turn increases the likelihood of customers leaving a review post-purchase. By utilising Google reviews, businesses can monitor customer satisfaction and obtain feedback on their products. This feedback can aid in enhancing the customer journey and inspire repeat sales.
4. Post-Purchase Follow-UpCustomers have the opportunity to leave a review on Google post-purchase. Reviews hold significant weight as they aid future customers in making a decision on which company to patronise. If a company receives a significant number of negative reviews, it indicates a need for improvement in customer service and product offerings.

   SECRET TO AMASSING REVIEWS: OPTIMISING YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE LISTING

   Ensuring your GBP listing is complete and includes updated and relevant information about your business is essential to make it attractive to searchers, leading to more clicks. In fact, Google states that "Businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to be matched with the appropriate searches.

   TOP 4 TIPS TO GET MORE GOOGLE REVIEWS

   1. Make it easy for them!Give customers a straightforward way to access your Google listing. This can be done by including a link on your website or in your email signature.
   2. Give them a reason to leave a reviewOne effective way to increase the number of reviews for your business is to incentivise customers to leave their feedback. Offering a reward or benefit, such as a discount or special promotion, as a thank you for their review can be a powerful motivator for customers to take the time to share their experience. This not only helps to boost the quantity of reviews, but it also shows customers that their feedback is valued and appreciated by the business.
   3. Follow up after they’ve made a purchase"Following up with customers after a purchase can be an effective way to gather more reviews for your business. A simple yet effective approach is to send a personalised thank-you email or make a phone call a few days after the customer has made a purchase. During this follow-up, kindly remind the customer of their recent purchase and kindly ask them to leave a review of their experience on Google. This shows that you appreciate their business and value their feedback and it is also a gentle reminder to leave a review while the experience is still fresh in their mind.
   4. Respond to reviewsResponding to both positive and negative reviews shows potential customers that you value and appreciate their feedback, it also helps to establish trust. It also can help to improve customer experience and resolve any issues they may have had

   HOW WE CAN HELP

   Managing a Google My Business profile can be a complex task, especially for beginners. It is a key factor in local search as it is the first impression that potential customers have of your business online. If your profile is not optimised, it can appear lower in search results than competitors. Optimising your Google My Business profile is essential for standing out in local searches, attracting customers and competing with rivals. As a business owner, it can be challenging to balance the maintenance of your profile with the daily operations of your business. To ease this burden, our Google My Business Management service is here to help. We will watch out for any spamming attempts on search results, open new opportunities for your business to boost its ranking and maintain your profile, ensure it is reputable and post on your behalf. Contact us today on our website to save time and boost your online presence.