So, you want to find your rankings in Google Maps as well as the organic search results.
May I ask how many Google reviews you have acquired?
None, 1, 100?
The higher the number is with that answer the greater the chance that you understand the power of Google reviews. Whatever the case, if you hang with me today, by the end of this article you will either have more reasons why Google reviews are critical or have brand new thoughts that you had never considered before.
What Is a Google Review and Why You Want to Know?
It is a statement on Google (hopefully positive) that someone external to yourself has left for your business. It is part of your Google business page.
The more reviews you have the stronger your rating is within these details as it relates to Google. Local businesses like Plumbers, Attorneys and Chiropractors will benefit from these types of details more than larger companies like Microsoft would or will.
It should be noted that while reviews are important, they certainly aren’t the only factor of consideration when it comes to how you do or do not rank on Google. Understanding how and why to take advantage of Google reviews will leave you in a power position of success as it relates to ranking in Google Maps especially, but also organically.
5 Steps to Securing a Google Review for Your Local Business?
STEP 1: Identification
You first need to make sure your company is listed on Google. If it isn’t then there may be an indexing issue that needs to be addressed. To find out the status of your company do a Google search for the name of your company.
STEP 2: Implementation
If your company is listed on Google, there should be a side panel that comes up which reads something like “your company name” on Google.
If you scroll down that right column you will reach a section that reads “write a review”. Once you select that a new window will display.
STEP 3: Engagement
Those that you have provided services for enter their rating which is hopefully 4 or 5 stars. They can also add related images as well as taking a couple of minutes to describe their experience.
STEP 4: Convenience
Shorten the Google URL
You can now use a URL shortening device to change the long URL that was just created into a very short one. S very popular one would be Twitter.
STEP 5: Action
Send the short link to your clients
This shortened link is the one that you want to send to clients in-order to elicit their help in getting the review written for you.
Manual Versus Automated Results
You can do this entire process manually by sending eMails, asking people and such. The problem is that the entire process can become extremely time consuming which leads many people to not doing anything at all.
If your wanting to rank on Google Maps and organics, then this can’t be the answer to the equation that you opt into. While there are many automated tools available on the market today, I recommend following the advice from Search Engine Land and using Grade.Us.
Concluding Thoughts About Google Reviews
In today’s world, if you want to stay in business you need to be where your audience is before they get there. Your audience likely uses Google for finding the services you offer. That’s why you want to be found there and making sure you have Google reviews is an excellent way of ensuring that this will happen for you.
To that end, I highly recommend following the processes identified above so you can watch the results take place within the growth of your business.
Do you have questions remaining about the Google review process? Did I miss a point that needs further clarification? Are there relevant points that should be added to the above details when it comes to securing Google reviews?
Leave your thoughts, questions and concerns in the comments below.
Guy Siverson
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Great advice…….
But business owners also have to be quick to answer negatives with a positive.
It is not set and forget proposition
You are so right Chuck. Thanks for your thoughts on Google reviews.