Whether it’s through word of mouth or the internet, a business’s reputation rests on what its customers say about it. And now, thanks to Google’s latest algorithm changes, online reviews are more important than ever.
When it comes to setting yourself apart from your competitors, nothing beats the power of having tons of positive customer reviews. Google reviews don’t just get you ranked but they are also incredibly persuasive when it comes to encouraging customers to buy.
In fact, according to a 2019 survey by BrightLocal, an outstanding 91% of consumers aged 18-34 said they trusted online reviews as much as they were personal recommendations from a friend!
Not all reviews are worth the same, though, since another study found that 73% of customers preferred written reviews over star or number ratings. So, keep reading below to find out how you can get more detailed Google reviews from your customers.
Start By Providing Excellent Customer Service
While obvious, you’ll want to make this one the cornerstone of your business. However, no amount of paid reviews can repair the damage done by a lousy customer experience, so wait until you’re confident in the quality of your service before you start asking for customer feedback.
Make sure you streamline your production process to reduce the time and money it takes to serve each customer. Likewise, if you’re a brick-and-mortar store, train your staff to ensure they know each product like the palm of their hand and that they deliver excellent customer service.
Your customers will appreciate it and you’ll be able to see the fruits of your efforts both in your online reviews and monthly sales.
Make It Easy To Leave A Review
Leaving a review is never a priority for a customer, and that’s understandable. Your clients are interested in your products and services, so they’re more than happy to pay for them. However, since leaving a review does nothing for them, some customers feel like giving feedback isn’t worth the trouble, especially if the process involved is lengthy or involves too many steps.
Simplifying your review process will allow you to get the feedback you need and let your customers get on with their day as soon as possible. When making your request, remind your clients that reviews can be one or two sentences long, so they won’t feel like they’re taking a test, but encourage them to be as specific as possible since this will help you improve your customer service.
Add A Customized Google Review Link To Your Pages
Many websites have a dedicated page for customer reviews. However, customers tend to prefer third-party review sites since they feel that it’s too easy for a domain owner to manipulate the review content on his domain.
Adding a Google Reviews link on your website will give authority to your company and let potential customers read what others have to say about your brand. Just pick a page or put a graphic or button on your page with a message like “See what our customers have to say about us” and link it using your location’s ID. Then sit and enjoy as you climb up the rankings.
Ask Your Customers For Feedback Without Being Pushy
Despite feedback not being their priority, some 70% of customers will leave an online review if you ask them, according to Search Engine Land. However, here’s where it gets tricky because in order to get these reviews you need to ask in the right moment and in the right way.
Sending a followup email a day or two, especially in the morning, after a customer has finished making a purchase is a tried-and-tested method to get reviews on your Google My Business account. When writing a follow-up email, your message should be polite and straight to the point, while also mentioning how feedback helps you improve your customer service.
Be Responsive To Your Customers
While improving user experience can help you increase positive reviews, you can’t control what people say about you. Whether it’s positive or negative reviews, you should respond in a timely and helpful fashion to all of your customers’ opinions, suggestions, and complaints on your Google Review page.
Being responsive and helpful even when dealing with negative reviews shows that you value your customers and their opinions. Furthermore, interacting with your target audience will give you plenty of useful ideas on how you can improve your service and reduce the frequency of negative experiences to a minimum.
Learn When To Push It And When To Give Up
There is a fine line between being persistent and being pushy. If people don’t respond to your initial review request don’t hesitate to follow up a few days later to see if they’ve changed their minds. However, if the answer is still silence, it’s better if you leave it at that rather than to keep pushing and risk leaving a bad impression of your business.
If possible, take note of which clients didn’t leave a review and create a rock-solid strategy to satisfy their needs the next time they come to your business. Remember that both the quantity and quality of your Google Reviews count on your ranking, so every review matters!
Host Experiential Events
Too many companies keep a barrier between themselves and their customers. Sharing an experiential event with your audience, such as a user conference or an industry event, will create a strong emotional attachment in your customers towards your brand, which will make them more likely to leave a review for you.
This isn’t a new concept. For years, big companies like McDonalds or Oreo have toured their audiences through their factories and offices, allowing them to see and even to participate, to an extent, in the manufacturing process of their favorite products. Such brand experience won’t just motivate your customers to leave glowing Google Reviews, but it’ll create long-term feelings of attachment to your brand and products.
Most customers today read several Google reviews before they make a purchase. That’s why having many positive reviews on your Google My Business account is the best way to build your online credibility, boost your rankings, and increase your conversions at the same time.
So make sure you use these tips and you’ll see how your business’s reputation and sales start to grow in no time!