6 Reasons Google Reviews Are So Important
Discover how Google reviews can impact the success of your business. From increased visibility to improved reputation and increased sales, find out why getting positive reviews on Google is a crucial part of establishing a solid online presence.
Google My Business Reviews
Craig Sommerson
Google reviews play a big role in the success of all business types. If you have a
customer base that generally finds you on the web, you'll need reviews (More specific: Google Reviews!) They serve as a valuable source of information for potential customers and help businesses establish a solid online presence.
Reviews found on your Google My Business listing provide the opportunity to level the playing field in regard to local SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Whether your business is large or small, those who take advantage of reviews tend to rank higher in local search results.
Luckily, Google My Business (GMB) is a free and easy to use tool for to manage your business across search and maps.
Important: Never pay for reviews! Paying for reviews or offering discounts for a positive review violates Google’s terms of service and can lead to the removal of reviews. Asking current and former customers to review your company is fine, as long as you are requesting unbiased and truthful reviews. A positive review will do you no good if users can tell it isn’t genuine.
Here are a 6 really good reasons why it's important to get Google reviews:
Clearer Perception
Google reviews provide valuable information into what customers like and dislike about your business. This information can be used to improve your services, products and overall customer experience.
Heightened Visibility
Google tracks the activity of ratings and boosts businesses that have a higher volume of ratings. A good review rating can push your business to the top of Google Local Maps, which lists the first three businesses near the top of the search page based on location.
Improved Reputation
Google reviews can improve your business's credibility and reputation with both your current customer base and new potential customers. When potential clients see that other people have had positive experiences with your business, they are more likely to trust your brand and make a purchase.
Boost your Trust Factor!
Google reviews serve as a form of word-of-mouth proof. It can show potential customers that your business is trustworthy and reliable. Google reviews can also increase confidence in your brand and make it more likely that consumers will make a purchase.
Increased Sales Activity
Positive Google reviews can lead to increased sales and revenue for your business. By making it easier for potential customers to find you, and by increasing their confidence in your brand, positive Google reviews can help drive more business and increase revenue.
Competitive Edge
Having a solid presence on Google My Business with positive reviews can give you an advantage over other businesses in your industry. This can help you stand out from the others and scoop up more customers.
The many benefits of getting Google reviews include Google ranking for local SEO, leveling the playing field, increasng your online reputation, and helping small busienss operations.
One hesitation you may have in soliciting online reviews is the fear of getting a bad review, However; receiving the odd bad review is not necessarily a bad thing. Actively replying to bad reviews and looking to resolve a situation illustrates to your new potential customers that you care about your clients. A study actually found that bad reviews can increase conversion by 70%. See our other article (How to Respond to Negative Reviews) for more on this topic!
Getting reviews is an important part of establishing online visability and improving your business's reputation. By increasing visability, improving reputation, trust, providing better insights, providing competitive advantage & increasing sales -> Reviews can have a significant impact on the success of any business.