Here I’ll show you the basics of Google reviews: where to find them, how to use them, and what they mean for your business.
What are Google Reviews and How to Get Them?
Google ratings are customer opinions in the form of stars (ratings) and formulated reviews (reviews) on Google company profiles. They appear in the search results on Google Maps or in the local pack when searching locally. In addition, Google reviews can also be integrated into the SERPs for organic search.
You can get google reviews two different ways like organic customer reviews and paid or buying google reviews. Organic google reviews are the best way to promote your local business. But in case you don’t have sufficient customer reviews then you have to buy google reviews.
Where can I find my Google reviews?
You can find your Google reviews in your Google business profile, formerly Google My Business, under “Reviews”. Here you can not only view the Google ratings, but also respond and respond to customer experiences. Deletion, on the other hand, is only reserved for Google. For this you have to report the review.
How Do I Use Google Reviews for SEO?
In local search, Google reviews are an important ranking factor. The more Google reviews your company profile has and the more positive they are, the higher your site will rank in local searches. You should also fill out your company profile completely and keep it up to date. In organic search, the integration of Google reviews is not a direct ranking factor. Indirectly, however, it can have a positive effect on the click rate in the organic search results if Google displays the rating in the SERPs. Here, the stars draw attention, so users are more likely to click on a page that contains the rating.
How Do I Encourage Customers to Write Google Reviews?
Because Google reviews affect local SEO, you should actively seek to get customers to rate your product or service. Therefore, after the service is provided, ask your customers to write a review for your company and remind them again later. Make it easy for customers to write a review, for example by sending a link to the review, so they don’t have to search first. For more transparency you can explain the benefit behind it. In addition, Google also recommends responding to reviews and showing your appreciation for the customer’s opinion in the form of a reply.
What to do with bad Google ratings?
Distinguish between factual criticism and inappropriate comments. You should respond to negative comments with respectful criticism, preferably promptly and individually, without standard text. Apologise if there are any errors, value the feedback and provide solutions. In this way, you not only help the disappointed customer, but also build up an authentic basis that creates trust with potential new customers.
Responses that do not comply with Google’s policies, such as offensive, violent or salacious comments, as well as false statements, personal information and promotional content may be reported and Google will remove them. Learn more about the policies for user-generated content on Google Maps.
Can Google Reviews Have a Negative Impact on Local SEO?
Yes, there are some no-gos that you should avoid to avoid being penalised by Google. Google reviews are meant to be authentic, user-generated content, and they should stay that way. So don’t try:
- buy google reviews,
- peppering your answers with keywords,
- reacting inappropriately, for example by providing unfriendly answers or lengthy explanations in the case of negative reviews.
Which other channels contribute to my reputation management?
In addition to Google ratings, there are many other channels you can use to actively shape your reputation management. Use them to maintain your image in public. For example, include feedback from customer surveys, other rating platforms or social media in your analysis. This way you get a representative picture. You can also place testimonials from said channels on your website as social proof.
Create a uniform image of your company across all channels and highlight what makes you special. This includes all public appearances: your website, blog, social media and personal interactions with customers.
Use Google Ratings for More Visibility and Traffic
In my post, I showed you that Google ratings are important for your business because they
- can improve the ranking in Local SEO
- can create trust with future customers
- give your company clues as to where it can improve.
Your company have a local location? Then you should create a complete Google business profile and maintain your Google reviews.
This includes:
- Actively solicit reviews from customers
- respond positively to reviews
- Report inappropriate reviews and have them removed
- continuously work on the user experience to give customers good reason for positive reviews
The last point does not only refer to the services and products themselves, but to the overall user experience when customers visit your online store. As an agency, we support your company so that customers can quickly find their way around your site, find all the information they want and be inspired by your content. We look forward to your request!
In your experience, how important are Google reviews? How do you deal with them? Do you actively collect Permanent Google reviews? And has it already had an impact? Write it to me in the comments.
