Google reviews have become an important part of digital marketing, especially for local businesses. They play a vital role in building credibility and visibility online for your brand and are especially relevant for local SEO. Businesses that have a significant number of positive reviews are much more likely to achieve higher rankings on local results pages. Therefore, whether you’re a big or small business, the one who takes advantage of Google reviews is in a position to rank higher in local search results.
A business with better reviews is rewarded with a higher spot on the results page. However, that’s not the only reason to consider incorporating Google Reviews. They can also help you to improve what you offer customers by creating a valuable channel for feedback about your products and services. Plus, they are excellent social proof – i.e., evidence that other people have tried your brand, trusted, and enjoyed it.
Want to learn more about google reviews and how to incorporate them into your digital marketing strategy? Contact our team today for more information.
Advantages of Google Reviews
So, we know that Google reviews from local customers are great for your rankings. But why do they influence rankings?
1. They increase brand trust
72% of customers say they feel more confident buying from a business with positive reviews. This is a huge competitive advantage. Consumers crave transparency and read fellow customer reviews to get just that.
2. They expand your online exposure and local SEO
Since Google’s algorithm is driven by successful marketing tactics, businesses with multiple reviews show up first in local searches.
3. They improve click-through rates
Any smart business knows that it’s vital to get customers to click on your link when it shows up in a search engine. Having Google reviews is an excellent way to increase the click-through rate when you show up in a search engine. Your Google review rating will show up next to your business name in Google, so a good collection of positive ratings will increase clicks through to your site.
4. They convert more customers
Did you know that 91% of consumers regularly or occasionally read online customer reviews to determine whether a local business is good or bad? Did you also know that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation, and 74% of consumers say that positive reviews make them trust a local business more?
With proper execution, Google business reviews can be one of your most successful digital marketing strategies.
Have you read our blog about 5 SEO Tips Every Business Should Know?
How do I write a Google Review?
- Make sure you’re signed into your Google account.
- Open Google Maps or Search.
- Search for a place/business.
- Click “Write a Review”.
- Score the place in stars out of 5. You can also write a review, where you can provide more in-depth feedback as to what the business did right or wrong – the more information you provide, the more helpful the review is to the business!
Want to learn more about our services? Contact us today.
Will negative Google Reviews affect my SEO ranking?
Some businesses hesitate when it comes to reviews due to the potential impact of having negative feedback about their brand online. However, some negative feedback is inevitable for any business. Whether your online reviewers are singing your praises or venting about a bad experience, you should always respond to every review. Not only does it go a long way with less-than-satisfied customers, but it helps build trust among all your past and potential customers by demonstrating that you care. In many ways, it also provides an opportunity to demonstrate the human side of the business. Further, responding to reviews does more than build trust with your audience: it builds trust with Google, too. Your responses send signals to Google that your business is actively responding to customers, which is great for your SEO strategy and search ranking.
It’s important to remember that first impressions are formed in the first 10 seconds. One of the first things your potential customer sees is your Google my Business listing, plus listings from your competitors. You can stand out from the pack my using google reviews to positively influence your customers. Want to learn more about google reviews and digital marketing strategy? Contact us today.