The Importance of Reviews on Google My Business

Published April 7, 2025
Megaphone with text bubble stating The Importance of Reviews on Google My Business by True Fit Marketing

Where do people usually search first on the Internet? Google is the first thing that pops in our head. “Just Google it!” is a common phrase. So when people are using Google as the search engine, wouldn’t it make sense that Google would want to rank its own platform users higher in searches? That is where Google My Business comes in. 

If Google could tell business owners one Google Business Profile ranking tip, it would likely be to get more business reviews. Reviews are one of the best ways to enrich your business ranking and Google is trying to make it even easier for people to leave reviews. 

In the marketing world, the first step is getting people to leave their reviews and the second step is optimizing those reviews to their fullest potential. Find out how you can maximize your business profile reviews to improve your ranking, build trust and attract new and returning business.

How to Get More Reviews on Google

The hardest part of the Google review process is actually getting the customers to do their part and make the review.  According to a 2019 GlobalWebIndex survey, only 47% of consumers have ever left an online review after using a product or service. The percentage goes up to 69% when the consumer is asked by the brand to leave them a review. 

Google’s new QR code feature makes it easy for consumers to leave a review. Here is how to find your business’s QR code:

  • On a desktop, search for your business name in Google.
  • Click on “Ask for reviews.” Alternatively, go to your review section and click “Get more reviews” to generate a QR code.

Once you have your QR code, use it on all of your print materials. There is also a review link that you can share on your digital materials. 

How to Obtain Google Reviews

It is common knowledge that Google uses keywords when it comes to search criteria. That is why it is important to get your keywords into the reviews left by your consumers. It is perfectly fine to ask your customers to leave detailed reviews, including your business name, the product or service they received, where the business is located, and how they used the product. Reviews that have your keywords in it will help boost search visibility. Not only that, but it is still a more helpful review than just, “Great service. Will be back again.” While that is great, no one knows what service the user had and which location they will be going back to.

Beyond just asking customers to leave a text review, ask them to take pictures and post those as well. This is easy for restaurants as people have the food and beverages to post, but for other businesses, it might not be as easy. Encourage your customers to take before and after photos, a photo of the product or the result of using the product to post with their review. Don’t be afraid to ask them to do this because they may not think of it ahead of time and by the time they are done eating their lunch, the proof of the food is…well…gone.

Finally, getting reviews from different locations, if you have businesses in multiple locations, can help Google consider the location of the reviews when ranking businesses. We mentioned this a bit earlier, but having the consumer state where they made the purchase, beyond your business name, can help when users are searching for “restaurants in Pittsburgh, PA”. When a business is starting out, this is a great way to help spread the word of your new location.

What to Do With the Reviews

If you are reading this part, congratulations! You must have received a review! There are several ways you can use this review to your advantage as a business owner.

First and foremost, reply to the review. Use your keywords in your reply and try to be very specific about the product or service. Maybe provide a helpful tip that someone wouldn’t think about after using the product or service. Back to the restaurant example, if someone ordered chicken tacos, let them know they could try the chicken as a burrito or quesadilla next time. Suggest maybe even a drink to go with it. Don’t forget to say something like, “We hope to see you back again in Pittsburgh soon!” Get that location posted with your reply!

You can then take that review and share it to all of your social media channels. Sharing a review shows that you are doing good business and you appreciate the time it took for customers to share their experience. You can also share the review on printed materials as quotes and feature it in any newsletters or emails you send out. 

If you happen to receive a negative review, don’t stress. Reply to the review and ask questions about what happened and how you can improve or make the situation better. Show others that you care about your customer’s concerns and are willing to make an effort to fix the issue. 

Mega phone with The Importance of Reviews on Google My Business, True Fit Marketing

The Bottom Line

Google has made it easier than ever to collect reviews, but optimizing them is key. It ends up being a numbers game because the more reviews you receive, the higher your rankings, the better trust your customers have, and potentially increase in your sales volumes due to positive feedback. Continue to ask for open and honest Google reviews and see what happens! 

Diversifying Your Online Presence

Published March 10, 2025
A digital graphic with the headline "DIVERSIFYING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE" in bold, colorful letters. Below, a subtext reads, "If you are already successful on one platform, you will at least have the basic knowledge of how to expand and grow on another!" To the right, a large blue megaphone emits colorful icons representing social media, including speech bubbles, hearts, stars, cameras, and video play buttons. The "True Fit Marketing" logo is displayed at the bottom.

If there is one thing everyone can learn from the TikTok shutdown of 2025, it is that we all need to diversify our online presence. Just like when financial people say to diversify your money, we all need to diversify where our income streams are. This means we need to flexible about where our content lives, what the content is (videos versus blogs for example) and how we share out information. There are many lessons we can all learn from this, which begins with obtaining your own space on the Internet.

Create Your Own Website

Many major companies and brands have websites that correlate with their social media, but if you are a social media influencer or a small business that uses just social media, you may not currently have a website. It would behoove you to build something sooner rather than later.

Sure, building and maintaining your own website might be an expense, and initially a major time sucker, but if all social media platforms were to shut down, at least you would still have all of your content posted to your website. 

A website can also help build your credibility, help with SEO when people are searching for you or something you have posted about, provide a space for you to sell, and give you the space to share what you want without the threat of the ever-changing algorithms or rules of social media. 

While you most certainly can try to build your own website, we suggest working with a team who can help to bring your vision to life and tie all of your current Internet spaces together.

Speaker with social media images coming out of it. If you are already successful on one platform, you will at least have the basic knowledge of how to expand and grow on another!

Start a Newsletter

An important part of your website should be a space for people to provide their information to you to stay connected. A great way to stay connected with your followers is to create a newsletter. Building your own email list will allow you to share anything you want with your followers, and it will go directly to them. Sure our inboxes are cluttered, but at least you know it is getting to them and they have the choice to open it!

A newsletter could also be monetized and allow you the opportunity to share exclusive content, updates, sales, promotions, or whatever else you’d like to have seen by your followers. Constant Contact, MailChimp, and Substack have great platforms and are very user-friendly.

Find Where Else Your Followers Go For Content

This goes along with the saying, “Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket.” There are plenty of social media platforms and user-generated content websites like Substack or Reddit, on which people can follow you. And new ones are popping up daily (hello Rednote). This is where diversifying your content helps. 

Make sure you let your followers know where else you are. That way, if a social media site gets shut down, your followers can still follow you elsewhere. And if you are starting from scratch on a new platform, try to collaborate with people who already have a large following in your same niche so you can grow your following faster. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Diversify and Try Something New

There are so many different ways to be found on the Internet. Beyond social media like TikTok, Facebook, X and Instagram, there are podcasting sites, YouTube platforms, sites like Etsy to sell your products on, and many other ways to get your name, brand and products out there.

The Bottom Line

If you are already successful on one platform, you will at least have the basic knowledge of how to expand and grow on another. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other influencers or small businesses to see how they are diversifying, what is working for them, and most certainly, what is not working. Building relationships offline can help you maintain those online relationships too!

Building Your SEO Strategy from the Ground Up

Published February 3, 2025
Building Your SEO Strategy from the Ground Up

If you’re a business owner or marketer looking to improve your website’s visibility, understanding and implementing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is key. SEO involves techniques that help search engines like Google rank your website higher in search results, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Let’s walk through the basics of SEO and how you can build a strategy from the ground up.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In simple terms, it’s the process of making your website more attractive to search engines. When someone searches for a topic related to your business, search engines like Google analyze websites to show the most relevant and high-quality results. SEO involves a mix of technical, creative, and strategic elements to ensure your website is among those top results.

SEO is essential for increasing organic (non-paid) traffic to your website. Imagine a potential client searching for services like yours – if your site is optimized correctly, you’re more likely to be found, giving you a significant advantage over competitors.

How SEO Works

Search engines use algorithms to analyze and rank web pages based on several factors, including keyword relevance, website speed, content quality, and more. Here are the main components of how SEO works:

  1. Keywords: These are the words and phrases potential clients use in searches. For example, if you own a landscaping business, relevant keywords might include “landscaping services,” “garden design,” or “landscape maintenance.” By incorporating these keywords naturally into your content, search engines can identify the relevancy of your site to these search terms.
  2. Content Quality: Content is a major ranking factor. Search engines reward websites with high-quality, informative, and engaging content. Regularly updating your site with valuable blog posts, guides, or videos signals to search engines that your website is a reliable resource.
  3. On-Page Optimization: This includes optimizing page elements like titles, headers, meta descriptions, and images. Properly structured pages make it easier for search engines to understand your content and index it effectively.
  4. Off-Page SEO: This aspect of SEO involves external factors like backlinks. Backlinks are links from other websites to your site. When reputable sites link to yours, it boosts your site’s authority and credibility, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable.
  1. Technical SEO: Technical aspects, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and secure connections (HTTPS), all influence your ranking. A well-optimized website provides a seamless user experience, which helps retain visitors and encourages them to engage further with your content.
  2. User Experience (UX): Search engines consider how people interact with your site. If people quickly leave your page (high bounce rate) or don’t engage with your content, search engines may interpret that your site isn’t providing relevant or engaging information.

Building Your SEO Strategy from the Ground Up

Steps to Build Your SEO from Scratch

  1. Keyword Research

   Start by identifying keywords that potential clients might use when searching for your services. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find popular search terms. Focus on a mix of high-volume and long-tail keywords (more specific phrases) that fit your business.

  1. Create Quality Content

   Content is one of the most critical parts of SEO. Your goal should be to produce valuable content that answers questions, solves problems, or provides insights to your audience. Aim for a regular content schedule, such as posting blogs once a week or twice a month, to keep your site fresh and relevant.

  1. Optimize On-Page Elements

   Each page on your website should have a unique title, meta description, and header tags (H1, H2, H3) that include your primary keywords. Optimize images with descriptive file names and alt text. These on-page elements help search engines understand what each page is about, increasing your chances of ranking well.

  1. Focus on Link Building

   Build relationships with other reputable sites and industry blogs. Offer to write guest posts, collaborate on content, or share links to valuable resources. High-quality backlinks from other sites show search engines that your site is trustworthy.

  1. Optimize Technical Aspects

   Ensure that your site loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and uses HTTPS for security. A slow, unsecured, or hard-to-navigate website can discourage visitors and negatively impact your ranking. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test and improve your site’s technical performance.

  1. Monitor and Adjust Your Strategy

   SEO is an ongoing process. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s traffic, user behavior, and keyword performance. Regularly updating your content, analyzing trends, and tweaking your strategy based on performance data can help keep your site ranking well.

The Bottom Line

SEO is a powerful tool for growing your online presence and attracting potential customers. By understanding keywords, creating quality content, optimizing your pages, and ensuring a positive user experience, you can build a strong SEO foundation. While SEO takes time to show results, consistency and strategic adjustments will help your business stay visible, competitive, and ready to attract the clients you’re looking for.

If you’re looking to improve your website’s SEO and attract more traffic, we’d be happy to help create a tailored strategy that works for your business! Reach out to us today to start building your SEO from the ground up.

The Countdown is On: Preparing for the Biggest Shopping Time of the Year

Published November 7, 2024

With Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season just around the corner, brands and consumers alike are gearing up for what promises to be the most competitive retail period of 2024. While holiday shopping always brings a rush, this year’s trends show that financial concerns and early shopping are key factors in shaping consumer behavior. As we approach the holidays, it’s crucial for businesses to understand these shifts to make the most of the shopping frenzy.

3 Shopping Trends We Are Seeing in 2024

As we look at the forecast for the 2024 holiday season, several emerging trends stand out. These trends are driven by both economic pressures and changes in consumer expectations, offering brands an opportunity to tailor their strategies.

  1. Budget-Conscious Shopping
  2. Early Shoppers Are On the Rise
  3. Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

1. Brands Must Be Mindful of Pricing and Consumer Financial Difficulties

While it’s tempting to push for high-margin products during the holidays, brands need to be conscious of the financial strains many consumers are facing. Shoppers are more aware than ever of their spending habits, particularly when their budgets are stretched. Offering a range of price points is key. Brands that can provide affordable options alongside premium ones are more likely to retain customers.

Discounts and promotions are expected, but they shouldn’t sacrifice perceived value. Instead, focus on highlighting how your products are worth the investment—whether it’s through quality, durability, or added benefits such as extended warranties or sustainable features.

Additionally, offering flexible payment options like buy-now-pay-later can make your products more accessible to consumers facing financial challenges. This gives shoppers the confidence to make purchases without feeling the immediate financial strain, increasing the likelihood of completing the sale.

2. Shopping Early: The Best Move for Everyone

Encouraging early shopping is beneficial for both brands and consumers. For consumers, shopping early means having access to the best deals and avoiding the holiday rush, while brands benefit from smoother inventory management and reduced pressure on fulfillment systems.

We’ve all heard the stories of shoppers waiting anxiously for UPS deliveries on Christmas Eve, hoping their gifts arrive on time. Shopping early helps avoid the headaches of shipping delays, out-of-stock items, or settling for something less than perfect because your original gift idea wasn’t available. Brands that promote early shopping through reminders, countdowns, or early access deals will position themselves as helpful partners in reducing holiday stress.

From a brand perspective, early shopping allows for better logistical planning. Businesses can spread out orders, reducing the risk of bottlenecks and shipping delays that often plague the holiday season. Promoting early bird deals or exclusive pre-holiday offers also creates excitement and drives early conversions, reducing the reliance on steep last-minute discounts.

3. Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

Consumers are expecting a smooth transition between online and in-store shopping. Brands that can blend digital and physical shopping experiences, offering flexible pickup and return options, will capture the attention of customers seeking convenience. Personalized recommendations based on browsing and purchase history will also play a significant role in increasing sales.

Additionally, integrating mobile technology into the shopping experience is becoming essential for brands aiming to enhance omnichannel experiences. Mobile apps that offer features like in-store navigation, real-time inventory checks, and mobile payment options bridge the gap between digital and physical interactions. By enabling customers to easily switch between browsing on their devices and shopping in-store, brands can offer a seamless, consistent experience that keeps shoppers engaged and satisfied.

The Bottom Line

The 2024 holiday shopping season is set to be unique, shaped by emerging consumer trends and ongoing economic pressures. Brands that recognize the importance of budget-conscious shopping, sustainability, and omnichannel experiences will stand out from the crowd. By encouraging early shopping, businesses can ensure a smoother, more enjoyable shopping season for everyone involved. The countdown is on—are you ready for the biggest shopping time of the year?

5 Tips for Building a Content Calendar for 2024 with Your Marketing Team

Published November 30, 2023

A content calendar is a critical tool for your digital presence and is essential for planning and distributing content on social media. Think of it as a blueprint that directs your online storytelling efforts across various platforms. While a content calendar provides structure, it’s also adaptable. This flexibility allows us to respond to current events, industry trends, and audience feedback, ensuring your brand remains relevant and dynamic.

Here are five tips for creating a content calendar for 2024 with your marketing team:

  1. Align with Business Goals and Events: Start by understanding your marketing agency’s overarching goals and your business goals for 2024. Identify key business milestones, product launches, and events that are planned internally, and share them with your marketing team. Create thematic content around these significant initiatives, ensuring that your content enhances your overall marketing objectives. Also, consider which social media channels are best for each goal and event.
  2. Consider Seasonality, Trends, and Business Specific Dates: Take into account the seasonality of your industry and the target audience’s behavior throughout the year. Certain times may be more opportune for specific types of content or promotions. Incorporate industry trends into your content calendar to stay relevant and engage with current audience interests. Share employee birthdays, promotions, good news, business anniversaries, and other relevant news.
  3. Diversify Content Types: Plan a mix of content types to keep your audience engaged. Experiment with different content formats and distribution channels to see what resonates best with your audience. This diversity not only keeps your strategy fresh but also accommodates different preferences and consumption habits. And don’t forget to re-use the content that you have, just in a different way.
  4. Establish a Consistent Posting Schedule: Consistency is key in content marketing. Establish a regular posting schedule that aligns with your audience’s behavior. Your marketing team can use scheduling tools to plan and automate posts, but remain flexible to capitalize on real-time opportunities or address emerging trends.
  5. Integrate User-Generated Content and Feedback: Encourage user-generated content (UGC) to foster community engagement. Plan campaigns or activities that involve your audience in creating content, whether it’s through contests, challenges, or sharing their experiences. Monitor audience feedback and adjust your content strategy accordingly. Actively engage with your community to build a more dynamic and responsive content plan.

The Bottom Line

Remember to evaluate the performance of your content regularly and adjust your strategy as needed. Analytics and feedback should inform your ongoing content calendar refinement throughout the year, allowing you to continuously improve your strategy.