Why you need to start collecting Google reviews for your small business.
The first thing most of us do when we are looking for a service or product is to do a quick Google search. We are quickly presented with relevant websites based on the keywords we used, along with relevant businesses and their Google review rating.
These ratings are really important because they give us a really quick overview of what other people think of each business and the experiences they’ve had with them. A business that appears in Google search results with multiple 5* reviews is much more likely to get clicked on than a similar business with 0 reviews.
Although any form of review is really important for your small business, this is why Google reviews take the edge. Not only are they building trust before someone has even clicked onto your website, but Google reviews can actually improve your SEO too. Let’s take a closer look.
What are Google reviews?
A Google review is just like any other review, but it’s submitted within Google and it’s linked to your business and your website.
When someone searches for you in Google, your business will appear at the top with your Google review rating alongside it. Likewise, if someone is searching for similar business in your local area in Google Maps, your business will appear on the map with your Google review rating.
Anyone with a Google account can leave a Google review and they are widely trusted by consumers.
How can Google reviews help your small business?
We know that reviews help with social proof and to build trust between you and your potential customers, but how can Google reviews further help your small business?
They’re great for search engine optimisation
The more positive Google reviews you have, the better Google will consider your website to be, as it can see that you are providing a popular and well liked service or product. As a result, it will move your website further up the search results so that more people can find you.
Want to know how else you can improve your search engine optimisation? Try this: 7 things you can do today to get your website appearing in Google search results.
Your Google reviews will appear alongside your Google listing
When your business appears on Google Maps or as a Business Profile in Google search results, your average rating with be displayed alongside it. People will be able to click on the rating and read your reviews quickly and easily.
Your website is more likely to be clicked on
If there are two similar businesses offering similar services or products, people are more likely to trust the business with multiple Google reviews than a business without any Google reviews. People trust Google and so they trust the reviews that they read there.
How to start collecting Google reviews for your business.
If you’re ready to start building up Google reviews for your small business (you defo should!), here’s what you need to do to get started.
Set up a Google Business Profile
If you don’t already have a Google Business Profile, head to Google Business Profile to set one up. You will be able to add photographs and a description of your business.
If you think you may already have a Google Business Profile, try searching for your business in Google and see if a business profile pops up. You may ned to verify that it’s your business by clicking ‘Own this business?’.
Ask for reviews
If you’ve just set up your Google Business Profile, wait at least 48 hours before asking people for reviews. I made this mistake and people were leaving reviews that weren’t showing up. So give it a couple of days for the backend to do it’s thing before you start contacting people.
Once you’re ready to make contact, you can copy a link from your Google Business Profile that will take people straight to your reviews page. I would then email people individually with the link and ask them to leave you a review. Avoid sending group emails, as this will just look spammy and people are less likely to leave you a review. It’s better to send fewer emails that are personalised to each person.