How Can I Increase Google My Business Reviews?

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Intro

Did you look up Google recently for a local business review before going there? 

Of course, you did! It's no surprise that reviews influence our purchase decisions in a big way. 

Positive reviews and public testimonials instill trust in a business. As a business owner, you must focus on gaining as many positive reviews on Google as possible. 

9 Simple Tips to Increase Google My Business Reviews

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1. Update Your GMB Profile

First things first, is your Google My Business (GMB) profile up-to-date?

Business owners often set up a GMB account but forget all about it. Claiming and completing your profile is the first rite of passage. 

A complete profile increases your chances of being discovered on a user search. 

Make sure that you have entered all the details correctly. Check if the map location corresponds to your actual location and if the phone number to contact you is the one you use for business. 

The below screenshot shows a fully optimized GMB profile. 

Once these basics are in place, you can focus on adding more helpful information to your GMB profile.

A few tips to get the most out of GMB:

• Select the correct category for your business. Be specific about what you choose. For example, If you are an 'Italian Restaurant,' enter it entirely instead of 'Restaurant.'
• Add genuine pictures and short videos. Avoid stock images.
• Create quality content posts for your GMB profile.

Read: Step-by-step Setup Guide for Google My Business Set up

2. Ask Customers for Reviews

A simple way to get more reviews is to ask your customers directly! Soliciting reviews is a great way to show that you care about their feedback.

People who love your products and services often don't bother sharing a review. On the bright side, they will gladly endorse you if asked. 

There are plenty of avenues to ask for reviews without appearing pushy. It is important to be proactive and ask for them soon after the interaction. Strike when the iron is hot!

Some Avenues You Can Explore To Ask For Reviews Are:

• Directly message the customer on social media or SMS them with a link to leave a review, as an example shown below. 

• Ask them at the place of business to share a quick review, for example, after a meal at a restaurant.
• Send an email if they are on your list. Share details about upcoming promos, thank them for visiting, and leave a link where they can review your business. 

Read: Reviews & Its Role in Local SEO

3. Show Customers How

Most customers are happy to leave a review but might not know-how. They may be unsure of the process on your Google page or not comfortable with technology enough to do it independently. 

Encourage this band of users by showing them the way. 

The below screenshot shows a sample template giving an easy option to leave a review. 

It's easy to do it. Leaving clear steps on how to review your business gives them the guidance they need. The good idea is to use more than one method to convey this message.

Let's Examine A Few Good Options:

• Print out the process and put it up in your place of business. List the steps simply. Use an infographic or screenshots to simplify the steps.
• Leave step-by-step instructions or a short video link in your emails or text messages.
• It is easiest to walk them through it in person while they are at your business. 

Try these methods to see a significant increase in Google reviews. 

4. Promote Great Reviews

Positive reviews serve more than one purpose. They tell a new prospect that people love your products. 

They also encourage new customers to leave a review of their own. 

Has it happened that you visited a business because of a glowing review on their site or Facebook page? 

It happens more often than you think. It's human psychology to validate a company or product against reviews from other people. Reviews project credibility and honesty towards a business.

When you get great reviews, amplify them across all your channels. Showcase it on your website and social media channels. Doing so will draw more crowds and increase your Google reviews.

Here are a few ways to do it:

• Share screenshots of your best reviews on Facebook or Instagram Ads and posts. Take a look at the below screenshot of a customer review.

• Share top reviews in your newsletter and encourage other customers to leave a review for your business. 

5. Interact With Reviewers

If you want a loyal customer following, be receptive to feedback. As a business, we all have our highs and lows. Sometimes you cannot control certain situations and end up disappointing customers. 

For example, you could not deliver a sofa on time because your supplier delayed the shipment of raw materials. Whatever the case may be, it's vital to acknowledge reviews.

Customers don't expect you to fix all problems but expect you to respond to them. Whether a review is good or bad, interact with the customer. 

Look at the screenshot below showing a new review that isn’t cared for by the business. It indicates to your new visitors that they won’t get support or response if they need it. 

Here are a few tips to get more reviews following:

• Never delete bad reviews! This can damage your online reputation. Instead, apologize and acknowledge. There may still be a way to turn it into a positive experience.
• Respond with a thank you, or share details about upcoming special events to reviewers who leave positive feedback.
• Personalize the interaction. Avoid canned messages. Address the reviewer by their name. 

6. Link to Review Pages

People don't always look for your business on Google to leave a review. 

If you want to grow your reviews, you must find ways to make it easier for them to leave you a review. There are multiple ways you can do this in today's age besides asking them to review the business in person.

Use emails, social media, and the power of mobile devices to share review links with your customers. You can generate a Review link from your GMB profile by clicking ‘Share Review form’ as shown in the below screenshot. 

Let's look at a few effective ways to get your review link across to customers:

• Add a link to the review site in your online newsletters. 
• QR codes are standard these days, and most people know how to use one to access a link. Create a QR code with a link for your review site. Add this to your business's posters, receipts, and other printed material. 
• If you have a mobile app or a YouTube video, add a link for customers to access your review page. 

7. Deliver Outstanding Support

Don't you love it when a business goes above and beyond to serve you? 

We all do. We become loyal fans and help spread the word to our friends and families. There is a certain magnetism in exceptional customer service. 

A great product can fall flat if not supplemented with solid customer support.

It does not matter what line of business you are in; it could be a florist, a dentist, or a furniture store. Delivering outstanding service compels customers to laud you on Google. 

Give a boost to your reviews by going the extra mile.

Try One Or More Of These Tips To Win Customer's Hearts:

• Be proactive: When a customer is upset with your product or service, try everything possible to set things right. 

The below screenshot shows the best example of how a brand should care to connect and retain its customers.

• Seek customer feedback through multiple channels like phone, mail, or SMS immediately after a sale. 
• Ask a customer to fill up a feedback form after visiting your physical location. 

8. Use 3rd Party Tools

You don't have to do the heavy lifting all by yourself. Working on review management can be a daunting task, especially if you are a franchise or have stores at multiple locations. 

There are plenty of free and paid tools out there that can do a lot to amplify your review numbers. 

Review boosters help you bring in more volume of reviews and make it easier to track and respond to them too. 

Use Any Of These Top-Rated Review Management Platforms To Always Be In Control:

• Podium: See customer interactions and online reviews on a single dashboard. Easily track and manage Google reviews.
• Trust Pilot: Collect, manage and show customer reviews to boost engagement and leads. You can create helpful widgets out of your positive reviews. Most people browse this platform to find business options and reviews to consider a suitable partner for their needs. 

• Yext: Monitor reviews not just from Google but from many other sites. Respond to customer feedback in real-time. Yext has many other reputation management features to boast too. 

9. Offer Freebies and Discounts

Giving customers an incentive to write a review can be a great strategy when done right. 

Everyone loves a freebie or a special promo code when they feel the business truly means it. 

Look at the screenshot below showing the type of incentives given to the users. 

A well-timed incentive can nudge customers into giving you a positive review.

Incentives and freebies can be tricky. It should not make your business appear desperate for reviews or positive ratings. 

Here Are A Few Ways To Approach This Strategy With Tact:

• Never trade reviews for incentives. For example, never ask a customer to leave a positive review in exchange for goodies. It reflects poorly on your company's ethics. Instead, offer them the freebie regardless of the review they write for you.
• Choose your incentives wisely and time them with upcoming sales and promo events. Customers will use any promo codes you hand out to make further purchases from your business. 

Key Takeaways

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• Educate customers about the review process. Ask them to review your business on Google and spread the word among friends and families.
• Add a link or QR code to your online newsletters and physical promotional materials review.
• Interact with reviewers. Respond to all reviews, even if they are negative.
• Use third-party tools like Yext to manage reviews for franchises or multiple locations.
• Never bribe customers for reviews or add fake reviews to boost your leads. These practices can get your business blacklisted on Google.
• Ensure that your Google My Business profile is up-to-date. Add as many photos and articles as possible.