This article is dedicated to online Google reviews. It covers several core areas: why the reviews are important, how one can generate and respond to them, and how to make the most out of online Google reviews once you have them.
Keep reading to learn how getting more Google reviews can help your business thrive and how you can implement an effective review strategy.
Importance of reviews for business growth
There are many reasons why businesses should care about online reviews.
For example, online reviews on Google are one of the biggest ranking factors. If you have such reviews, they will make it more likely for your brand to appear in search results on Google/Google Maps.
Furthermore, positive feedback serves as a trust signal. People trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from their friends and family.
Reviews are also a conversion factor (e.g., people read someone’s feedback, they like it, and they can click on your website right from Google search).
Get more reviews by asking for them
Now, let’s get down to business. This paragraph explains how you can get reviews.
- Use banner or CTA in email signatures
We send emails every day. So why miss this excellent opportunity to ask for a review in email? No worries, you don’t need to annoy people with review requests.
Simply create a professional email footer with the help of an email signature generator. The software allows you to add a promotional banner with a clear call-to-action (CTA) (e.g., “Rate us,” “Write a review,” etc.).
See more email signature examples to get a better idea of how it all works.
Why are email signatures good for asking for a review?
Remember, you are really asking your clients to do you a favor, so it’s essential to make the process as seamless for them as possible.
- Implement opportunity of leaving reviews into the purchase process
The best time to ask customers to leave a review is when they have just received great service or a great experience.
For instance, if you have assisted a customer with a purchase, and you know they are happy with it, you might ask them to consider sharing feedback about their experience.
Here is an example of what you could say:
“Dear [customer name], I am happy to have been able to help you with your purchase today. If you were satisfied with our service, please consider taking a few minutes to leave us a review on Google. Thank you!”
- Ask through emails
If you are communicating with a client via email, you can include a link to Google reviews. Don’t hesitate to ask directly.
Here is a template you can use:
Hi [customer name],
This is [your name], [your position] at [your company name].
You recently visited us at [your business location]. Thank you for choosing us.
I hope you enjoyed your visit/lunch/etc.
Your feedback matters to us, so whether you had a fantastic or less impressive experience, we would really love to hear about it.
Please consider taking the time to leave a review on Google.
Thank you,
[You can add your email signature with your name and contact details here].
Always react to negative feedback
So, you have started getting feedback. Now what?
In this next section, we will look at the best ways to respond to your customers’ reviews, be they good or bad.
Keep in mind that reacting to feedback is important for many reasons, from building trust to pleasing the Google algorithm (responding to online reviews can lead to better rankings in Google search).
On top of that, responding to customers’ feedback shows that you value their opinion about your business.
Of course, nobody likes to hear bad things about a business, but unfortunately, it’s a fact of life, even for the most popular, strongest businesses.
- Respond publicly
Respond to a public complaint in a public way. However, if you see that the complaint is especially complicated or very embarrassing to your brand, consider finding an alternative way to communicate with the client. You can contact them privately by phone or email to resolve the issue and ask to fix the negative review (not to delete the previous one but to add another comment about the solution). Or you can let potential customers know the issue has been handled.
- Ask for details
Depending on the review, you might need to ask for some extra information. Make sure that you understand what the reviewer is saying.
- Resolve and offer a solution
Promise action, show how you are going to improve. This could make the customer try your service again. Fix the problem as soon as possible.
Also, you can offer something simple as a gesture of goodwill. For example, deliver a customer’s next order for free, provide a free consultation, send a gift.
Show your gratitude responding to positive reviews
When a customer writes a positive review, they are not expecting much in return. Your task is simply to make them feel heard and valued. Just a few words and addressing a review by the name would be enough.
Monitor for new reviews
To react to reviews effectively, you need to make sure you always know when new ones are coming in.
Sign up for email alerts with Google. Then when you get reviews on Google, you will be sent email notifications whenever someone leaves a new review. On top of that, you can set up Google alerts for your business name, so you are notified whenever your brand name is mentioned online.
Go to google.com/alerts and click “Sign in.” On the main page, Google will give you some suggestions, including “Me on the web.”
Where to use reviews?
You can take advantage of your positive feedback using it:
- as content on social media;
- to convert customers on your website;
- in newsletters;
- to understand how you can make your services and offerings better.
Final words
Getting and managing reviews isn’t always easy, but with the help of this article, you are hopefully one step closer to getting that great reputation needed for your business to succeed. Good luck!