How to Get More Google Reviews

Think that no one is reading your Google reviews and online testimonials?

Think again.

In fact, an astounding 84% of consumers say that they value online reviews about a company just as much as they do personal recommendations from friends and coworkers.

As far as how many consumers are reading those online reviews? Statistics from Forbes indicate that 90% of shoppers read reviews about a product or service before they make a purchase decision.

The takeaway here?

If you don’t know how to get more Google reviews for your business, then you’re going to get left behind.

Only have a handful of reviews?

Read on to learn how to get more Google reviews and increase your clout online.

1. Offer Incentives To Reviewers

Looking for a quick way to learn how to get more Google reviews and grow your business in the process?

Start by offering incentives such as discount codes, free services, or small samples. To make customers aware of these offers, we suggest putting up a small sign on your reception desk, or even publicizing the offer on your company’s website.

A word of caution regarding incentives, however. If you go too over the top, you’ll wind up looking desperate.

You also run the risk of being accused of bribing clients for positive reviews by your competitors. We strongly suggest resisting the urge to offer customers extremes, such as a month’s worth of free service or 90% off their next purchase.

Trust us when we tell you that your accountant will thank you, too.

2. Put A Review Incentive In Your Email Signature

Another effective way to learn how to get more Google reviews?

Encourage the customers you’re corresponding with over email to leave your business a review by embedding a link to your review platform of choice in your email signature.

Also, be sure to include a line or two about how reviews can help you to grow your business, and how they help you to evaluate customer feedback.

Why not send it around to a few of your top customers, to subtly encourage them to do the same?

3. Make Reviews A Part Of Your Social Media

It’s official: in today’s world, social media is an integral part of your brand’s overall customer service strategy.

This means that, when customers check out your Facebook account, they’re going to message you to ask about your rates, services, and perhaps even follow up with you about shipping and delivery problems.

They’re also going to head to your social media page to see what your past customers have to say about you. So, if you only have one or two reviews up, they’re going to assume that you’re not doing very much business.

So, need to know how to get more Google reviews to prove to your social media followers that you have the resources to take on a high volume of clients?

Always feature any new reviews that a customer leaves on your social media account. When you create new blog posts and share them on your social media accounts, always encourage your customers to leave a review.

Be sure to get active in the comments on your profiles, as well. If a customer leaves you a nice comment about your services? Why not encourage them to write a full-fledged review on social media?

And when you ask for those reviews? Make sure you’re gently suggesting that they review your company on lots of different platforms. This include sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, and especially Google My Business.

Be sure to claim your business listing on all of these different platforms. Fill them with current contact information, photos of your office or storefront, and a little information about what you do.

Remember, if you don’t claim these platforms, your competitors can and will do it for you.

4. How To Get More Google Reviews? Sometimes, You Just Have To Ask

The best thing to do when you’re interested in learning how to get more Google reviews for your local business?

Sometimes, just being upfront with your favorite clients and asking them to review your services is the most effective way to go. It’s best to ask your most loyal clients to write you a review because they’ll have the most information about both your business and the specific employees that they’ve worked with.

Asking for reviews is also a wonderful way to make it clear to your clients that you truly to value and listen to their feedback.

To that end, be prepared to receive some reviews that aren’t as positive as you might have hoped. Though it might be a challenge, the most important thing to do is remain calm and refrain from tearing into a reviewer and getting defensive online.

Once you’ve taken a breath, check out this post to learn how to embrace and respond to less than favorable online reviews.

Need Additional SEO Advice?

Thanks to this post, you now have lots of ideas about how to get more Google reviews for your business.

However, keep in mind that your online reviews are only a small part of your overall digital marketing and SEO strategy.

You still need to learn all about how to get the best internal and external links, how to create killer social media content, and how to blog like a pro.

No matter the industry you work within, or the current size of your business, we have the advice you need to increase your conversions, dominate your local market, and build your brand.