Increasing Your Reach with Google My Business Reviews

Having reviews show up on your Google My Business listing when people search for a local business enhances your trustworthiness. Google suggests that professionally replying to consumer's reviews, both good and bad, also helps establish confidence and trust. Since both positive and negative reviews affect your search engine ranking and consumer's purchasing decisions, it is essential to encourage your customers to review your business on Google My Business.

Sharing the link to the Google My Business page where they need to leave the review of your business is the most helpful thing that you can do to encourage reviews, aside from providing exceptional service. Since one bad customer experience can significantly lower your rating if you only have a few reviews, it is essential to monitor your reviews. Learn from your mistake and thank the reviewer for pointing out a service issue. Never stoop to name calling, potential customers will notice your professionalism. Flag any inappropriate or obviously fake reviews right away; in highly competitive industries, it's possible that competitors, a disgruntled former employee or even an ex spouse may leave fake reviews.

Even if you only have one review, the stars will show in local search results, up from the previous minimum of five. It is fine to ask customers to leave you a review, however, you cannot reward them in any way as encouragement. Your customer will need a Google account to review your business on Google My Business, which nearly everyone has if the watch YouTube or have a Gmail account.

Although there are numerous review websites, such as Yelp and TripAdvisor, Google is the most widely used search engine so focusing your efforts there is essential to your marketing and SEO strategies. There are exceptions, such as a local boutique hotel that needs to monitor TripAdvisor as closely as they watch their Google My Business reviews.