As a business, you are probably already well aware of the impact Google reviews can have on a company. Google reviews make it easy for potential customers to compare your business with other similar businesses in the area. In fact, sometimes customers will simply look at the number of “stars” a business has in order to make a decision on where they want to spend their money.
It comes at no surprise that the more reviews you have, the higher you will rank in visibility in a quick Google search, so it’s important for every business to take the time to understand how to turn customers into reviewers. Let’s cover three simple, yet effective, ways to ensure you will receive more Google reviews!
1.) Just Ask!
If you are looking to get more reviews, you can’t get around it without simply asking. Thankfully, most people are accustomed to being asked to give feedback, and are familiar with the process already. Also, there are plenty of opportunities in which it is appropriate to ask for a review. Here are some examples:
- After you have interacted with a customer
- After you complete a job
- Through an email correspondence
- When you send a bill
While you may feel awkward to ask a customer to leave a review, remember that they are most likely already expecting it. Eventually, it will feel like second nature to ask, so keep practicing!
2.) Give Instructions
While many people already understand how to leave a review and are capable of doing so without further instruction, some are not as familiar with the process. Make sure to include step-by-step directions on how they can go about leaving a review so that they don’t get frustrated and decide it’s not worth their time. Your instructions can look something like this:
- Sign into your Google account (your Gmail account)
- Search for our business on Google
- Click the link to leave a review
- Select a star rating and write your feedback
- Press submit
Remember that most people gravitate towards doing things that are convenient for them, so if you don’t make it simple and clear how to leave a review, they may decide to opt out. You can also include a link to your Google Business page so once they have signed into their account, it will be easy for them to find your business page and leave a review.
3.) Remind Them
Remember to not take it personally if someone forgets to leave you a review! We all get busy, and oftentimes we tend to move onto our next “to-do” for the day and forget to leave a review. This doesn’t mean that your customer values your product or service less.
Sometimes people just need that extra nudge to remember to do something simple. Make sure you give people time to write a review before reaching out again. Try giving each person two weeks before you follow up with them, especially if you have already asked for a review!
Follow these three simple steps to start generating more Google reviews, and watch your SEO grow! Remember to treat each client as a person instead of a number, and continue to provide excellent customer care so they are more inclined to leave you an outstanding review!
We use a variety of different platforms to help clients simplify and automate the process of asking and reminding their customers to leave a review. Reach out to WSI Internet Partners to figure out what solution is best for your business.