Want Google to Love your Business?
Keegan Edwards, CEO of New Media Retailer, describes the importance of maintaining a steady influx of customer reviews over time.
Video Transcript:
[Please excuse any grammatical errors, transcript is machine generated]
Do you want your local business to rank higher on Google, attract more customers, and boost your Revenue? Let’s talk about the secret weapon that Google loves. Let’s dive right in.
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Let’s Dive Right into today’s topic. We’re here to discuss a crucial Google ranking factor that often gets overlooked, the importance of a sustained influx of reviews over time. What does this mean? Well, it’s not just about getting a sudden burst of 100 plus reviews and then nothing more. Google is keen on seeing you continually getting reviews. This regular engagement indicates to Google that your business is alive and thriving and still matters to the public. So the takeaway here is pretty clear, never stop asking for reviews.
Review acquisition should be an ongoing integrated part of your marketing strategy, not just the one-off event. You might be asking “why should I care about this?”. Well, when you’re looking for a local business what’s one of the first things you check? Reviews, right? They serve as social proof and the testimonials about a business’s quality of service or products. Local businesses therefore need to maintain a consistent stream of positive reviews to increase their visibility online, attract new customers, and boost the revenue.
Let’s break this down. First, the more positive reviews you have the higher you’ll rank in local search results. This increased visibility drives more traffic to your website and your location. Second, positive reviews build trust and credibility among potential customers. And third, these reviews provide valuable feedback helping you improve your products and services.
So we understand the importance of regular reviews, but how do we make sure our businesses get them? Here are three effective strategies that can help. Strategy 1, integrate review requests into your customer service process. Whenever a customer has a positive experience, seize the moment to ask for a review. It could be as simple as a comment like “we’re thrilled you’re so happy with our service, would you mind sharing your experience on Google?”. Strategy 2, follow up with your customers a few days after their purchase or service completion. Send a personalized email or tasks asking them to share their experience on Google. Be sure to provide a direct link to make the process easy for them. Remember the key is to be polite and not pushy. And strategy 3, engage with your reviews, both positive and negative. Show appreciation for positive reviews, and address negative reviews professionally. This shows that you value your customer feedback and care about their experiences. This in turn can encourage people to leave more reviews over time.
Now these strategies might seem simple but they require consistency. It’s all about creating a culture that values customer feedback. Train your staff to ask for reviews, make sure they understand the importance of this practice. You might be surprised at how willing customers are to leave a review when they see that it genuinely matters to you. Start by explaining to your team the impact of reviews on your business. Make sure they understand this not just about numbers, but also about improving your services based on feedback. Then role play scenarios where they can comfortably and naturally ask customers for reviews.
In terms of following up, remember that your communication needs to be personal, polite and timely. Automate the process if needed, but ensure the message carries a human touch. Don’t be too pushy, rather show that you value their opinion and would appreciate their feedback to serve them better in the future. And when it comes to responding to reviews, always express gratitude for positive feedback. For any negative comments instead of getting defensive, see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Address them professionally, apologize if necessary, and show willingness to rectify the situation.
So to wrap it up, Google values businesses that receive a steady stream of reviews over time, not just the sudden burst. This helps improve your online visibility, attract more customers, and boost your revenue. To achieve this, remember the three strategies we discussed. Integrate review request into your service process. Follow up with customers, and engage with all your reviews.
If you need help, I’ve linked in the description to Whitespark, BrightLocal, and New Media Retailer. Whitespark and BrightLocal both offer software that can help you with this process, and understanding the impact of your Google Business Profile. And New Media Retailer offers a Google Business Profile manager service where they take care of it all for you.
Alright, we’ve covered a lot today. If you found this video helpful, please hit that like button and share it with your business owner friends. If you have any other tips or experiences with Google reviews, drop a comment below. We’d love to hear from you. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on boosting your business. Remember, building a successful business is a marathon not a sprint, but with the right strategy you can stay ahead of the pack. See you in the next video.