Many people search Google before making a purchase decision. And, in today’s digital world, Google reviews can make or break your business. This is why it is important to get more Google reviews!

But how? 

Well, this helpful guide will show you the best ways to acquire customer feedback and ratings on Google – while providing you with practical advice that can be used today.

Customers put their faith in people rather than brands. Here are 15 strategies for increasing and improving customer reviews for your small business.

One thing stays constant in the world of digital marketing: it never stops evolving. Want to know what remains the same?

Word of mouth.

In the days before internet forums and social media, word of mouth was passed via casual conversations. In-person discussions about businesses still occur, but they have primarily shifted to the internet.

Consider this: wouldn’t you rather trust a recommendation from a friend or family than an ad you see on your TV or your phone?

Exactly.

Many online review stats prove this point:

• Google accounts for 57.5% of all reviews worldwide.
• 72% of customers won’t take action until they read reviews.
• 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses.
• 76% trust online reviews as much as recommendations from family and friends.
• 70% of consumers need to read at least four reviews before they can trust a business.
• Customers could spend 31% more on a company with great reviews.

With these stats in mind, it’s evident that more (positive) online customer reviews can make all the difference.

Gaining more feedback for your local business may seem difficult at first, but it isn’t as challenging as you would believe.

Don’t believe us? Why not try one of these easy techniques?

How to Get More Google Reviews: 15 Strategies to Acquire More Customers and Ratings

Create a Google (or other review sites) review link

This is a great way to get Google reviews because all you have to do is direct customers to it. Most people are familiar with links, so they’ll know how to use this one!

Make your review link easy to remember

The default review links Google will provide you would be long and hard to remember. By using a free link shortener service like Bit.ly, you can customize the link to something like bit.ly/EnzonMediaReviews.

This is easier to remember than a string of text that is not easy to memorize and understand.

Use QR codes that people can quickly scan on their phones

QR codes are great because they can be scanned with any smartphone.

Having one on your business card, website, a thank you card, or other location will allow people to scan it and submit a Google review in seconds!

Create a Google reviews page on your website

Having a Google reviews page on your website allows people to leave Google reviews for you. It will also help motivate customers that have not left your business a review yet to give you one.

Allowing customers the convenience of leaving Google reviews from their browser will increase ratings and improve conversions.

Set Up Profiles on Multiple Review Sites

Having profiles on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and other review sites will allow you to reach more customers.

Creating a presence across multiple platforms is an easy way to increase the visibility of your local businesses!

While this may not be a Google review-related strategy, it will surely help you get more reviews across other platforms as well.

Collect Email Addresses When You Make a Sale

People are more likely to leave Google reviews when they feel like their voice is heard and acknowledged.

If you don’t already, start collecting email addresses during the billing process so that customers can be contacted after a transaction has been completed.

This will let them know their concerns were heard and provide an opportunity for them to submit Google review feedback!

Use In-Store Signage to Encourage Reviews

Using banners, posters, and other signage to encourage Google reviews is simple.

Display your review link on these signs so that customers can easily access it while they are in the store. This will not only help you increase Google ratings but also improve customer retention!

Mention How Much You’d Appreciate Their Feedback

There is no better way to get Google reviews than asking for them!

If you’ve done everything possible and your customer service team has followed all of the above strategies, some customers may still be hesitant to post a Google review.

Don’t let these people slip away! Let them know how much it would mean to you if they left Google reviews.

Offering them a promotion in return may even encourage more people to leave positive feedback for your business!

Include Review Signage on Your Website

Having a reminder on your website and social media pages effectively remind customers that you want their feedback to be heard.

This will encourage them to leave Google reviews and show other potential clients how many previous customers enjoyed their experience with your business!

Leverage Social Media

Since Google reviews are such an essential part of how customers make decisions, it is ideal to use all social media channels to reach people.

This includes Yelp, Facebook, Nextdoor, and other places where potential clients gather online!

Another trick is to share your existing Google reviews to these other platforms to create and spread brand awareness, so next time potential customers look for specific products and services in your local area, they’ll remember you.

Thoughtfully Respond to All Reviews

When you receive Google reviews, it is important to respond!

Even if they are negative or neutral comments, these responses will show potential customers that your business cares about the experience people have with them.

Responding to Google reviews can also bring more visibility and credibility for local businesses as positive customer experiences tend to be shared even more than negative ones.

Delight Your Customers With a Great Experience

We can’t say it enough: providing an excellent experience for your customers will help you get more Google reviews.

Take the time to delight every single customer that walks into your business and show them how much you appreciate their patronage!

Doing this consistently over time is an excellent way to increase Google ratings by increasing conversions and creating brand awareness and engagement.

After all, happier customers are more likely to leave Google ratings if they had a great experience with your company.

Incentivize review generation (don’t buy them, though)

If you are having trouble generating Google reviews, consider offering your customers an incentive for leaving Google ratings.

Offering them a discount, free product, or service will help generate more Google reviews and make people feel like they made the right decision by choosing your business over others!

Make Reviews a Part of Your Work Process

We can’t stress enough that Google reviews should be a part of your work process rather than an afterthought.

This will help you consistently generate Google reviews and increase the chances of getting more ratings in return!

Create a review instruction video

Most people hate going through long-winded processes.

Why not make the process easy for your customers by creating a video they can refer to in case they get lost on how to leave you feedback?

This is an excellent way to encourage more Google reviews without having your team waste time generating them and repeating instructions repeatedly.

After all, the key to success is usually about generating as much customer feedback as possible so that next time they look for a business like yours in their area, they’ll consider going with you.

Please feel free to share your Google My Business link with us to see feedback your customers have to say about your business.