Clients often ask us: “What’s one thing I can do right now to help improve my search engine optimization?” Our answer? Google Reviews. Google Reviews are a wonderful way to establish trust with potential clients/customers and improve your visibility online. Let’s take a look at how Google Reviews can impact your business and how you can attract more of them!
Establishing a strong reputation is no longer optional. It’s essential. Every law firm, green energy company, nonprofit organization, recruiting firm, small business, or construction enterprise that wishes to grow and succeed needs to understand the power of one stand-out tool – Google Reviews.
You’re likely aware of Google Reviews. Star ratings and customer feedback are associated with businesses and appear in Google searches. But do you realize just how impactful they are for your business – whether you operate in a B2B or B2C market? Let’s delve deeper into the importance of Google Reviews and how they add credibility and can drive revenue into your business.
What’s a Google Review and Why Does it Matter?
The concept of online reviews isn’t new. In fact, sites like eBay started popularizing digital rating systems back in the late 1990s. As the world’s most popular search engine, Google adopted a system for rating businesses…the Google Review! A Google Review is essentially just an online rating based on a 5-star scale.
If you’re still skeptical about the power of a Google Review, consider these staggering statistics from LinkedIn and TrustPilot:
- 90% of customers won’t act until they read reviews
- 88% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
- 91% of millennials trust online reviews as much as referrals from friends and family
- 94% of people report that extremely negative reviews will drive them away from that business
- 15% of users don’t trust businesses without reviews
- Only 6% of consumers don’t trust customer reviews at all
- Google accounts for 73% of all reviews worldwide
- 39 Google reviews – the average local businesses have
These stats highlight just how influential Google Reviews are in shaping prospective client perceptions about the level of service they will receive from your company. Google Reviews are especially crucial if you’re trying to attract clients/customers under the age of 40, according to Brightlocal.
The Power and Credibility of Google Reviews
Businesses must rely on more than just their website, social media, and communications to shape their image. Today, consumers and businesses now look to online reviews for others’ views on their work with your firm. Our goal with clients is to help them establish a collection of well over 100 five-star Google Reviews.
Think about it. How often do you make a buying decision without first reading the reviews? It’s likely rare. According to recent studies, over 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business’s website, and And remember, Google Reviews aren’t just for B2C businesses. While B2B purchases – like which law firm to hire or what solar energy firm to choose – involve higher stakes and complex decision-making processes, Google Reviews also play a crucial role. A collection of positive reviews can increase trust and remove doubt in the decision-making process, significantly influencing prospective clients and referral sources to follow up with you.
A Credibility Boost For Your Business
Earning five-star reviews through Google creates high credibility for your business. Why? Because customers trust other customers. Each positive review you receive is a testament to the quality of your products or services and the satisfaction of your clientele. Essentially, Google Reviews are the modern-day word-of-mouth, providing credibility that traditional marketing methods can’t match.
How to Ask Customers for a Google Review
Here’s the part most people get hung up on…asking for the actual review. Asking happy customers for a Google Review is one of the best things you can do to improve your SEO. I recommend working the request into your existing business process- maybe when you send out your last invoice, complete a project, or after you’ve been working together for a few months. Here’s some boilerplate language you can tailor to ask satisfied clients for a review. One thing we do at PSM is to craft a quick email and embed the direct link to a client’s Google Review screen:
Dear Terrie,
We appreciate the trust you have shown in choosing to work with us. Please take a moment and leave us a five-star review on Google – it means a lot to us that you were happy with our work. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience!
Or
As I’m sure you know, Google Reviews play an essential role in helping potential clients find our company online. I’m wondering if you’d be willing to leave a quick 5-star review for us? If so, here’s the link: ____________________.
Be bold about asking for reviews. Whether through email, at the end of a service, or on your website, encourage your clients and customers to write a review. The key is to make the process easy and convenient for them.
You can find step-by-step directions on how to copy/paste your Google Review link here. If you do a Google search for your company’s name, click the 5 gold stars, then once the review box pops up, just copy the URL in your internet browser.
Don’t Forget About Two Key Things
When you are looking for five-star reviews from your customers or clients, you need to earn it! Remember to:
- Deliver Excellent Service: This goes without saying, but to earn top reviews, you need to provide top-notch products or services. No amount of marketing can compensate for a poor product or shoddy service. Make your clients’ satisfaction your top priority.
- Respond to Feedback: Responding to positive and negative reviews is crucial. This shows your customers that you value their feedback and are committed to improving your services. Remember, how you handle negative reviews can sometimes be just as impactful as the positive ones.
Google Reviews Help You Recruit Top Talent
When trying to add employees to your firm, a collection of positive and authentic Google Reviews from select employees will help demonstrate employee satisfaction. We all know that people who enjoy working for a company can play an instrumental role in attracting new employees and showing clients that a happy and fulfilled workforce fuels your company. When employees are happy, they deliver exceptional service. So, demonstrating satisfaction among employees at your company can also reinforce your marketing messages and build your reputation.
Google Reviews Can Drive New Business
The impact of Google Reviews on your business, regardless of your industry or market, can’t be overstated. They’re a vital tool for establishing your credibility and influencing the perceptions of potential clients, partners, and employees. So, make it a priority to earn those five-star ratings and let your customers tell the world how great you are!
In Conclusion
Google Reviews are a phenomenal way to build trust with potential customers/clients before you’ve ever even met them. It’s a simple ask with a tremendous pay-off. Once you get in the habit of asking clients for Google Reviews, it starts to feel less awkward (I promise).
Did you find this article helpful? If so, please consider leaving us a 5-star Google Review at this link: Google review See What I did there? If you need help setting up your Google My Business profile or don’t know where to start, please contact PSM Marketing!