Google My Business, and especially Google My Business reviews, will help your customers find your business when they search online. Awesome, right? Actually, it gets better! The best part of Google My Business is that it’s totally free to use. So you can take advantage of Google My Business no matter how small (or big!) your marketing budget. Think of the service as a massive power-up in the game of business.
Google reviews play a major role in your business’s SEO ranking. Studies conclusively show that Google business reviews greatly affect the search engine ranking of your business. And in the SEO ranking game, every leg up counts.
Apart from having strangers say nice things about your business (and who doesn’t like validation from strangers?), there are tons of benefits available when customers leave you a Google review.
Benefit #1: Google Reviews Make You More Discoverable
Your business might not be online, but your customers certainly are. Google Reviews is connected to the Google Maps service, so customers will more often than not use Google to find you first. And that’s where your SEO ranking comes in.
Google reviews help your business rank higher on search engines. The higher your rank on the search engine, the easier it is for potential customers to find and patronize you. A Google My Business account may mean the difference between a first and second-page position on Google. And you certainly don’t want to be on the second page!
Benefit #2: Google My Business Reviews Make You More Accessible
Don’t underestimate the importance of making sure your customers have the right information about your business. Your Google My Business account ensures customers can reach you at the right phone numbers and addresses—and that your operating hours are available. Don’t leave the important details to third-party review sites! Other websites might show outdated or incorrect information about your business.
Benefit #3: Google My Business Reviews Boost Customer Confidence in Your Business
A Google My Business profile gives your business credibility. Customers are more likely to patronize a business with a Google My Business account than one without. But don’t take our word for it. A Hootsuite study showed customers were 70% more likely to visit a business with a Google My Business listing. Now that’s incredible.
You need customers to have confidence in your brand, and a Google My Business account makes that easier. The more confident a customer is about your business, the more likely they are to buy your products.
At this point, you’re probably wondering how to use Google reviews to boost your business earnings. No worries, we’ve got that covered.
How to Use Google My Business Reviews
If you haven’t already, you need to set up your Google My Business profile completely. And don’t skip verifying your business on your Google My Business account! Without verification, you won’t be eligible to receive reviews. (Learn how to set up Google My Business here.) Once that’s done, it’s time to start gathering Google business reviews.
Step #1: At the end of each transaction, ask the customer (nicely!) to leave a review on Google. You have two options for helping them navigate to your page. You can provide your customers with a short url taking them directly to your business. Or they can simply search for your business on Google, click on Review and then click on Write a Review.
Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, and that’s all that’s required. But they can also write a review and attach photos so potential customers can see your work!
Step #2: Review your review! Because it’s not a good look for you to appear blank and lost when a customer asks, “Did you see my review?” Google sends you an email notifying you of new customer reviews.
Acknowledging customers’ reviews is good practice. Not only does a response show potential customers you’re an active business with a positive attitude toward feedback, but the length of time you take and the number of reviews you respond to also play a major role in your SEO ranking.
Here’s how to review your review:
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- Log in to your Google Business account.
- Click your business.
- Scroll to Reviews.
- Select the review you want.
- Click respond.
Remember, your response to each review is public and is displayed under the original review. So be polite, and if you receive a bad review, check out our guide on what to do.
