A lot of our marketing clients consistently ask me what the best way is to get more positive Google reviews online. 84% of people trust Google reviews as much as a real-life referral, they also help in boosting your local SEO efforts which will lead to more traffic to your website. In reading this guide, you will learn the secret methods we utilise as a digital marketing agency to consistently generate Google reviews on autopilot.
The best way to get more Google reviews is to automate the process for your customers and ask them at the right time. This means creating direct links for your clients to leave a 5-star review with ease. Next, you want to integrate your direct link across different methods of communication & marketing material such as email & on your website to grow your business’ online reputation systematically.
We’ll be covering why review building is a necessity for any business and how they affect your bottom line. Furthermore, I’ll fill you in on the secret sauce that allows you to effortlessly click a link a BOOM! Review generated.
Above all, this ultimate guide was written to automate the process of getting more positive reviews so you can spend your valuable time serving new and happy customers, instead of chasing them down.
Learn How You Can Get More Google Reviews For Your Business
Table of Contents
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- What is Google My Business?
- 4 Ways Companies Thrive off Google Reviews
- How to Get More Google Reviews
- 3.1 Automating the Process (Google Review Link Generator)
- 3.2 Asking Customers at the Right Time
- 3.3 Integrating Your Google My Business Reviews
- 4. How to Delete Google Reviews
- 5. How to Respond to Google Reviews
- 5.1 How to Respond to Negative Google Reviews
- 5.2 How to Respond to Positive Google Reviews
- Conclusion
1. What is Google My Business?
Google my business launched in 2014 to help give local business owners a way of showing in the SERP (Search results) when someone searches for them.
This tool now allows you to manage a business hub that also shows on Google Maps listing. You can list your business name, phone number, address, photos, contact information, and content and happy customers can also leave positive online reviews.
With new products coming to the market such as Google Home and Amazon’s Alexa, voice search is becoming more and more prominent in search trends.
“Hey Google, find me a local plumber” – With searches like these Google uses many indicators to determine who gets the cake, and reviews are definitely of high priority. Furthermore, who doesn’t like selecting the business with the highest review count?
If you’re a seasoned business owner, or simply just getting started, this is a must-have. If you’re not sure how to set up your Google My Business account, head over to GMB and sign up as seen below.
2. 4 Ways Companies Thrive off Google Reviews:
2.1 Improved Rankings
In generating more online Google reviews, you will also increase your local SEO, Google rankings and customers will begin trusting you online. This will directly boost the number of qualified prospects landing on your website every day. Consider asking your customers to leave a lengthy written review about your product or service to increase traffic to your website. The more online reviews you have, the more important you are in Google’s eyes which will lead to more visibility in the search results!
2.2 Customer-Driven Content
When customers leave positive online reviews on your Google My Business page, they are increasing the content affiliated with your website through something called “Customer-Driven Content” which is an important local SEO ranking factor (If you’d like to learn more about growing your rankings and organic listings, check out these 4 actionable tips to instantly boost traffic).
This means that you will see an increase in Google rankings and traffic at no cost to you.
2.3 Social Proof
Generating more Google reviews will help social proof your business which assists in growing sales and overall conversion rates.
As discussed earlier, nearly 9 in 10 consumers trust an online review is as important as a personal recommendation. Reading these statistics shows just how important online reviews are!
Do you read customer reviews before making a buying decision? I know I do.
2.4 Increase in SALES
The most important reason for building and increasing your reviews is because they directly increase sales. Savvy customers are always looking at online reviews, Inc stated that almost 90% of people look at reviews before buying.
Provided you build more Google reviews and manage your online reputation as seen within this guide, your chances of increasing conversion rates within your sales teams are proven true.
3. How to Get More Google Reviews:
We can understand the pain and difficulty of asking a customer to leave a review, even when you’re offered a stellar service or sold a problem-solving product.
There are 3 main steps you must take if you want to be effective:
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- Automating the Process (Google Review Link Generator)
- Asking Customers at the Right Time
- Integrating Your Google My Business Reviews
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3.1 Automating the Process (Google Review Link Generator):
The best way to automate your Google reviews is to create a direct link for your customers to use. This link will allow them to click and review, simple.
I’ve recorded a short video that will show you how:
3.2 Asking Customers at the Right Time:
Strike when the iron is hot so to speak. The best time to ask your customers for a review is when they are at their most satisfied.
Asking your customers to leave a review while they are happiest will also provide a more emotional and content-rich review.
3.3 Integrating Your Google My Business Reviews:
Now that you have a link that will trigger the review form instantaneously, your customers will have no trouble dropping a big 5-star review on your listing.
In your email signature, you can include a related image linking to this to allow easy access.
We also utilise email marketing to automate this process. Once the client has been on board for 1 month, they are sent a customer service form allowing them to express their feedback on what is positive, and negative which helps us improve our service. This also allows them to leave us a positive review online, WINNING.
4. How to Delete Google Reviews:
If you’ve just noticed a bad review, stop, breathe & slow down. This isn’t the end of the world. Most, if not all companies have received a negative review. No matter how great your product or service is, there’s always going to be someone with an issue.
As much as you would like to unload some rage, or tell them the ugly truth, the last thing you want to do is argue or make an unprofessional comment. Always accept their criticism, even if it is rubbish.
Don’t worry, we can help.
If the review is fake, flag it with Google. Here’s where you can find the flag option
Next, select the reason why you want to flag the review.
You can flag their negative reviews if:
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- It contains hateful, violent or inappropriate content
- It contains advertising or spam
- It’s off-topic
- It contains a conflict of interest
- Follow up with Google Support regarding the flagged reviews via the support page on your Google My Business portal.
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5. How to Respond to Google Reviews:
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- Sign in to your Google My Business Profile
- Click the 3 dots in the top left-hand corner to choose your business
- Click “Manage Reviews”
- Find the Review You’d Like to Respond to and Click “View & Reply”
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5.1 How to Respond to Negative Google Reviews:
Tip: Reach out to the customer by calling them directly to attempt to resolve the issue offline.
Many business owners I speak to neglect the opportunity to respond to negative reviews.
This is all wrong.
Not only is this an opportunity to learn from your possible mistakes but also to help your brand from suffering, BIG TIME
As we’ve already discussed, people read reviews (especially negative ones).
The first step is to assess the review and discuss within your organisation the problem that occurred, how to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future, and a resolution for the customer.
It is key to make sure you don’t respond emotionally and leave a bad-hearted comment fighting against their problem. Accept it, even if it feels unfair.
The next step is to show empathy for your customer’s concerns.
Here’s an example:
“Hi Customer, we appreciate this feedback as it allows us to improve on a service that has been very highly rated by many others. Our service is very much focused on and operates around the feedback from our clients; whether it is positive or negative”.
Now you need to address their concerns and offer a resolution.
Here’s an example:
“You’re welcome to reach out to us via email: (email here) or by calling us directly (phone here) so we can help resolve your issue. If we don’t hear from you we sincerely wish you all the best of success in the future!”
5.2 How to Respond to Positive Google Reviews:
Getting a 5-star review can be as good it gets, but responding to them is not only best practice, but will also help encourage other customers to drop you a review.
First and foremost, thanking and appreciating the reviewer is crucial.
Next up, depending on if they’re a client or not, future pacing and mentioning your positive business relationship so far can help.
Here’s an example:
“Thanks, Karen for such kind words! We appreciate you leaving your review and look forward to continuing our positive relationship into the future!”
You may choose to add something quirky as a personal touch.
Here’s an example:
“Next time you’re in Brisbane, feel free to drop into our office & we’ll grab a coffee! My shout 🙂“
6. Conclusion:
In conclusion, in following this guide, you have taken a massive step in growing your digital reputation and reaping the fruitful rewards that are social proofing.
As we’ve discussed, increasing the number of positive reviews on your Google My Business (GMB) listing will not only help you create social proofing steel, in addition, they will assist in generating more local traffic to your website.
We’ve covered why your business needs more reviews, the importance of responding to reviews (positive reviews and negative reviews) & how to best automate the process.
Now you’re ready!
Take this information and utilise the tactics within to grow your Google reviews and grow your sales!
If you benefited from this guide, share it around and help others grow their reviews, reputation, and ultimately their business.
Happy reviewing!