How to Get Google Reviews
"Why Do I Need Reviews?"
You probably know that online shopping is astronomical and only increasing in importance. 80% of Americans now shop online at least once a month.
However, you might not know about what drives people to spend their money at one firm over another. It isn't just if someone sees your firm, it's whether they trust you. In 2017, 97% of consumers read online reviews while deciding between local businesses (source: BrightLocal Study)
Reviews are the engine of online sales - not only do they promote trust, but they contribute to whether or not a firm is featured on the Google Map for a search.
Getting Reviews
If you didn't think much about Google Reviews before reading this, you might not have put much or any thought into your Google My Business profile.
If your business doesn't even have a Google My Business profile - or the firm has a profile but doesn't control it - see here for details.
Your first step should be making sure your Google My Business profile looks 'lived in'. Reviewers don't want to feel that they're shouting into the void. You've likely seen Google My Business profiles with no pictures, no hours of operation, and most likely no reviews. If your firm appears to update your Google My Business page, your clients will be more likely to leave a review because they feel like they're being heard.
So make sure you have pictures, regularly update your hours of operation, and accurate contact info.
And if you really want to make your GMB profile personal, respond to your reviews. Especially the negative ones.
Some business owners are wary about touching negative reviews because they worry it will give them attention or credibility (I've talked to a couple of business owners who thought that responding to a review makes it show up at the top of the list - it doesn't!). But people will read that negative review either way - a smart response shows that your firm learns from its mistakes and listens to its clients.
While negative reviews can sting - and may be the result of a grumpy customer rather than a failing of your company, the response should maintain a positive, professional tone. Every response should take responsibility, and then talk about how you've taken steps to fix the problem going forward. If written correctly, you can take this negative feedback and turn a constructive moment for your business and its image.
The One SUPER SECRET Way to Get Google Reviews
Once your Google My Business profile is humming, the next and most important step for getting Google Reviews is: to ask!
Wayne Gretzky said that you miss out on 100% of the Google reviews you don't ask for (I'm paraphrasing). It's true. To consistently earn Google Reviews, you need a process. Your process could be asking in person after a sale or sending out emails asking for feedback - this differs by firm and industry. What matters is that you are actively doing something to earn reviews.
Sweetening the Pot
Asking for reviews is vital, but you'll get a lot farther if you take some small steps to make reviewing you more appealing.
Firstly, a big "don't": do not offer a reward for Google Reviews. If reported to Google, this can earn you a significant penalty such as removing your GMB listing from the web. But even if unreported, this can too easily damage your reputation and many clients will find the suggestion off-putting.
Instead, the key is to make leaving a review as simple and painless as possible.
This is the problem that eventually led to Easy Reviews: people are generally unenthusiastic about leaving you a positive Google Review, and thus even small inconveniences will compel them to abandon the process. That's why we made a gadget to guide users through the process.
If you don't use Easy Reviews, you should at least take two steps to make things easier for your reviewers:
As with many parts of your business, the wise course of action is to incorporate these good things into a clear process. Whether it is at specific recurring interaction, or from a certain employee, map out when and how to ask for reviews. Once it becomes part of your routine, you'll begin to see genuine dividends for limited effort.
Google Reviews are a relatively new tool for firms to earn clicks and to earn trust. But they can offer fantastic value for firms seeking local clients, and should be a pillar of every business' marketing strategy. Fortunately, a clearly defined process and a knowledge of best practices means that you are already well ahead of your competition.