
For more than a decade, Google has guided countless customers toward local businesses, growing to become the platform consumers use most to decide whether a company is worth their time and money. These days, a Google Business Profile (GBP) acts like a digital storefront, displaying key information—like hours, directions, and announcements—before a customer ever clicks through to your website or visits your store.
Because of this, building trust with prospective customers is essential long before any face-to-face or direct interaction happens. One of the most effective ways to build that trust is by collecting a strong set of positive Google reviews to give prospective customers real-world confirmation of your reliability.
Read on to discover the importance of Google reviews, how to optimize your Google Business Profile, strategies for receiving more Google reviews, how to manage reviews, and how to get the most out of your digital marketing efforts.
Why Google reviews are important
Google reviews are so much more than a star rating. Other benefits of Google reviews include:
- Trust building: Prospects are more likely to trust your business if you have primarily positive reviews. Since 93% of people read a review before making a purchase, trust is essential.
- Valuable feedback: Reviews provide direct feedback from customers, which can highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
- Competitive advantages: Having a higher rating or more reviews can set you apart from the competition, which is especially important if yours is a competitive industry.
- Increased engagement: Responding to reviews can increase engagement and show potential customers that you value feedback and are actively managing customer relations.
Consumers also look at how a business responds to reviews to get an idea on how they may be treated or if the reviews are accurate opinions of a usual customer experience.
The connection between reviews and local SEO
You might be surprised, but Google reviews have a big impact on local SEO (search engine optimization) and your chances of being discovered in searches over competitors.
Reviews play a role in local SEO because Google wants to connect users with businesses they can trust. Essentially, the more great feedback you collect, the more likely Google is to highlight your business in local search results. It’s basically extra proof that you deliver what customers want, and that boost in credibility can really pay off.
How to create and optimize a Google Business Profile for reviews
Crafting a standout Google Business Profile is your first step towards collecting valuable reviews. Here’s how to get your profile in shape:
- Claim your business: If you haven’t already, claim your business on Google. This puts you in the driver’s seat so you can update details and make the most of your profile.
- Verify your listing: You’ll likely need to go through a verification process for your business profile to show up in local searches. Once you’re verified, customers can start sharing their experiences.
- Keep your profile fresh: To encourage reviews, make your GBP as engaging and informative as possible. Regularly update your profile with high-quality images or graphics, announce new services or products, and use posts to communicate directly with your audience.
- Reinstate your GBP (if needed): If your GBP ever gets suspended or becomes unverified, don’t stress. There are steps you can take to reinstate it and get everything back on track.
Strategies for receiving more Google reviews
Google reviews make the greatest impact when there’s a solid number of them. While going above and beyond for your customers is often the biggest factor in earning positive feedback, a lot of people won’t share their thoughts unless you ask. Fortunately, there are a few simple strategies you can use to increase the odds of receiving a review.
Ask for a review
Even though it might seem obvious to simply ask for a review, the timing and approach can influence whether someone follows through. Right after a purchase or service (when the experience is fresh!) is often the perfect moment to mention it. You can even train your staff to slip the request in naturally, just before the end of their interaction with the customer.
Keep in mind that although offering direct incentives for reviews is against Google’s policies, you can still stress how much customer feedback matters. Let customers know that by sharing their experiences, they’re helping you improve your service and provide a better experience for everyone.
Make it easy to leave a review
The less time and effort it takes for a customer to leave a review, the more likely they’ll do it. So, make it super simple by adding your review link to follow-up emails and digital receipts! You can also include a QR code that links straight to your GBP on items customers are likely to see or take home. This makes it easy for people to scan and leave a review on the spot.
Take advantage of social media
Social media can be a friendly way to nudge customers to leave reviews. You can share and celebrate feedback to show you genuinely value input, and don’t forget to include a direct link to your review page for extra motivation and so it’s easy to share.
How to manage Google reviews
Yes, receiving reviews is important, but the way you manage them can impact your business’s image and sway potential customers just as much as the reviews themselves.
Monitor your reviews
You should receive an email from Google every time a customer leaves a review, but get in the habit of reviewing your Google Business Profile regularly, just in case. Luckily, the GBP dashboard makes it easy to track new reviews and trends over time, and many third-party social media management platforms can connect to your GBP so you can review and respond as new feedback arrives.
Respond to every review
Whether it’s positive feedback or a complaint, you should respond to every single review that comes in. Every. Single. Review. Why? It shows you’re grateful, active, and paying attention. And in the off-chance you receive a negative review, it offers you the chance to smooth things over and keep customers happy.
Remember to be timely! Your customer will also receive a copy of your response via email, so it’s best to respond within 24 – 48 hours of a review.
Deal with fake or spam reviews right away
If you receive a fake or spam review, don’t panic! It happens on occasion. And if you’re monitoring your reviews regularly, it hopefully won’t be there long.
Step one is to use Google’s tools to report the fake or spam review as quickly as possible. In most instances, Google will respond and remove the review in question quickly. Occasionally, it’s a little more difficult. In the end, if Google doesn’t remove the review or it’s taking too long for them to take action, be proactive: respond to the review professionally, from a place of curiosity, and express concerns you might have about its authenticity.
Start receiving more Google reviews today
Ready to get started boosting your local search ranking and improving your business’ online reputation? By following these tips and tricks, you can increase your Google reviews and build trust.
If managing your Google reviews sounds daunting, though, don’t worry! The Stellaractive team is here to help. Reach out online or give us a call to learn more about how we can assist you in managing your GBP while improving your online presence and branding efforts. Let’s work together to make your business shine online!