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. 

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!