Online Customer Reviews are Vital for Your Business
In my previous blog, “Boost SEO Rankings, Ask your Clients for Online Reviews”, I discussed the vital role that online customer reviews can play for your business. Its a small favor to ask of your clients, but well worth it. In a 2014 study of consumer attitude towards online reviews, it was found that, “88% have read reviews to determine the quality of a local business” (Anderson 2014). Customer reviews are so important because not only do people trust them, but they can also influence search engine results.
There are many different websites that customers can use to post a review. Such sites include Google, Yelp, Facebook, Angie’s List and Foursquare, just to name a few. Positive reviews on these websites are all beneficial to getting you “noticed” online and building your reputation.
In this blog, we are going to focus on how-to post a Google Review. Why? Well, because Google rules the web!
The first step to having your customers post [an all important] Google review is to ensure that you have a Google My Business page. If you do not already have one, then following blog details the whys and hows of a Google My Business page, with the latter part emphasizing how to create a profile:https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/tips-tricks/google-my-business-the-hows-and-whys-of-getting-your-business-listed
You can also go directly to Google to get started:
https://www.google.com/business
Once your Google My Business page is established, you must decide when to ask for a review. I recommend you ask at the last meeting you have with a client. This is generally a good time because you and actually shows them the steps on how to do it, if they are unsure. You can also remind them that the process of you asking them for a review is exactly a good habit they should adopt with their clients. Another option is to send a follow-up email, thanking customers for their patronage and asking them to write a review. Some experts even suggest adding a direct link to the form on the Google My Business listing so that they can easily leave a review when they open your email. One important factor to keep in mind is that a client must have a Google account in order to leave the review. A Google account includes Android, Gmail, YouTube, Blogger, AdWords, Google+, Drive, Calendar, etc. If a customer does not have one of these, he or she will need to create one.
So now that you have created a Google My Business Page, asked for the review, and established what the reviewer needs to know in order to write it.
Here is a rough outline for how to write a review:
- Go to Google.com from a desktop or the Google Maps app from a mobile device. You can also go to Google Maps from your desktop.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hummingbird+Web+Design/@40.849317,-73.7045307,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c28edf3fd5e165:0x9e99ddda65250c35!8m2!3d40.849317!4d-73.702342 - Make sure you are signed in to a Google account (Gmail, Android, etc.).
- Search for a place. Type in the business name (do not add the .com).
- Click, “Write a review.”
- Click the stars to score the business, and then write your review in the box.
It is also very important to know that Google does have many specific guidelines and protocols that you and your customers should be aware of before posting.
If your clients don’t follow the guidelines it is likely that their review will not be accepted. You can read these guidelines in detail at: http://support.google.com/business/answer/2622994?hl=en
Google reviews will continue to be huge for your business’ visibility and reputation. Definitely do your business a favor by asking your clients for this very valuable favor!
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