It’s no secret that Google favors business listings that have been reviewed. They show up in every relevant search result.
If one of your goals is to have a good presence on Google (which it probably should be), start by getting reviews. They’re free and relatively easy to come by. Business listings that include customer reviews receive more credibility and more clicks. For small businesses competing against each other in the same geographic areas, Google reviews can often be the crucial tiebreaker.
Customer reviews are among the first things people see when they search your business category in Google or Google Maps. Studies have shown that customer reviews are the most powerful purchase influencer. Did you know that 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business? And that 88% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations? Yes, people who trust a business are more likely to buy from that business. How do you gain that trust? You must first build a solid customer experience. That will set you up to receive positive Google reviews, which can be a total game changer for your business. Be aware that not all reviews are created equal, and readers can usually see right through made-up wonderfulness or spiteful remarks. The best reviews come from the heart, and in order to get these, you’ll need to do business from the heart.
So how do you get a genuine review?
It’s simple. Just reach out and ask. Often times it helps to write up detailed instructions so people will know exactly what to do. You want to make this process as easy as possible. You could say something like:
- On your computer, tablet or smartphone, open Google Maps and make sure you’re signed in.
- Search for [company name].
- Scroll down and click Write a Review.
- In the window that appears, click the stars to give us a score. You can also write a review!
It often helps to offer a little incentive for their time. Here at Exsel, we like chocolate.