We know that negative feedback, especially unfair feedback, is scary and can put you in a position to avoid this tool as much as possible. Yet, honest opinions written by users-for other users-can really make a difference to your business. What’s more, even negative reviews (if addressed in the right way) can be constructive, helping you eliminate your weaknesses and improve your business.
Think posting new feedback on the Business Profile, also called Business Profile-the former Google My Business-allows you to:
- Create a bond of trust with people or consolidate it
- Strengthen the organic ranking of your business site in the eyes of search engines
- Increase your visibility locally (or in the area in which you operate)
- Increase organic traffic to your website and conversion rates
- Making publicity (at no cost)
- Improve your company’s brand reputation
As you can see, incentivizing reviews is crucial; but how can you get new and valuable reviews? Let’s look at that right now!
Want to know more about the Google business profile, what it’s for and why it can be useful to you? We explain it here: 7 benefits Google My Business can bring to your business
How to get new Google reviews: 5 useful tips
For people to write a review on the well-known search engine you must first create a Google business profile (formerly Google My Business), following all the instructions step by step, without leaving out any important information for your users.
A valid business profile, however, must be associated with a location on Google Maps (usually this information corresponds to the address of your business headquarters) and then verified. Remember to also read the terms of service well to avoid penalties. This way, you can manage the page properly and get initial feedback.
But how to increase the Google reviews of a newly created profile or an existing one? There are 6 useful tips you can put into practice: let’s see them.
1. Create a link for Google reviews and share it
To encourage your customers to write feedback about the product or service you offer, you can create a quick link that can be placed on your website, or sent in your online e-commerce communication emails or newsletters.
Another interesting method can be to make a QR code that links directly to the Google reviews page. You can put it inside a sign (to be placed in a highly visible place if you conduct business in a physical location), in business cards, on stickers to stick on shipping packages, or in advertising flyers (studying the graphics carefully).
2. Place a dedicated CTA on your website.
You can add a button on your website inviting users to leave feedback with a catchy, persuasive and well-reasoned CTA for it to be direct and courteous. Another important factor to consider is where to place your call-to-action on the website (visible, but not invasive) to best respect the UI and UX experience of your portal.
3. Use social profiles
Social networks are also useful for getting new reviews on Google. You can use Facebook or Instagram, for example, to publish posts that motivate people to leave feedback, explaining how they can help you improve your business. Similarly, you can share the best reviews by putting people who believe in your brand at the center of your strategy.
4. Collaborate with business partners
Not only customers, the companies and professionals who work with you are also key to increasing the number of reviews on Google. Suppliers, influencers and other partners can offer a new and interesting perspective on your professionalism, reliability and the quality of the product and/or service you offer.
5. Want a review? Ask for it!
A simple and immediate way to increase reviews is to ask the people you have sold a product or service to directly. You can do this verbally, send an e-mail, text message, or WhatsApp message asking tactfully and politely for their willingness to evaluate the experience they received, explaining the value a review can have for your business.
Another engaging way to ask for feedback is to make a video in which you or your employees genuinely explain why reviews are an important tool for business growth.
Google reviews: here’s why you shouldn’t underestimate them
As you may have guessed, the opinions of users who have bought a product or tried a service from you are important to your business. But why should they never be overlooked? Simple: because they influence other people’s behaviors.
Reviews that appear on a Google business profile are actually read. In fact, according to the research Consumer Review Survey by Bright Local devoted to consumer behavior on the Web, 75 percent of respondents regularly read online reviews. When? For example, before making a purchase, relying on a service or dining at a restaurant. And they do so because they trust what others write. Not caring at all is only a small percentage: 3 percent.
Where do people look most for reviews? The same study shows that81% of people trust feedback posted on the business’s Google profile the most. This is followed by other channels such as, for example, Facebook (45 percent), Yelp (44 percent) and Tripadvisor (21 percent).
Now let’s talk about positive Google reviews-how do you get them?
We’ve seen some ideas for incentivizing people to write feedback about your business, but how can you go about getting mostly positive reviews?
In this case, you need to focus a lot on certain aspects of your business such as:
- offer a quality product and/or service
- Provide excellent customer service (pre, during and after sales)
- respond to all user reviews politely and gracefully
- Share positive feedback (on social media, website, or in newsletters)
Do you already curate your Google activity profile?
Another key to getting 5-star reviews on Google is to always update your business profile.
In addition to user reviews, in fact, people also positively evaluate the way the brand approaches this channel, rewarding those who carefully manage the page. What, then, do those who adopt a good marketing strategy do? It publishes timely, correct, business-consistent information and always responds to users’ questions and reviews. In addition, use all the tools offered in the suite, such as Google posts, which are useful, for example, to tell your customers about news, the launch of a promotional offer, a new product, or to sponsor special events, such as fundraisers or company open days.
All of this makes you realize how important this channel is and why you should invest your resources to implement it to the best of your ability.
Do you want to get new reviews on Google?
It might also help you to revamp the corporate identity!
Get better Google reviews with Isola
Now that you understand why user feedback is important to your business, how to get new reviews on Google and what the benefits of asking for them are. It’s not an easy road, we know, but it ‘s critical to invest in it if you want your business to grow. That’s why you can turn to experienced professionals to manage your Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) and consolidate your search engine rankings.
At Isola we can take care of your entire marketing and communication strategy. In addition, we can:
- Manage your Google activity page, updating it with engaging posts
- Suggest the best ways for you to be found in users’ searches
- Implement on your website all the tools you need to increase your visibility and sales
- Also follow the consolidation part to maintain the results achieved and strengthen them over time
- And we can also leverage this channel to do local advertising with Google Ads, a great way to introduce your business to an interested audience.
In short, you will have realized that the Google Activity Profile is critical to improving your brand consideration and attracting people to you. But the tool’s potential is many; however, expert and timely management of the channel is required.
Turn to Isola to find out how to get quality Google reviews and the best way to grow your business!
