Before people call or email you about potential business, they usually look at your company’s reviews and ratings on Google. This is a make-or-break moment. For example, I was looking for a new chiropractor in Marietta, GA, the other day and immediately turned to search Google. After a few minutes of reading reviews, I decided to call a company that only had 5-star reviews on its profile. I had my appointment a week later and was very impressed. Google Business Reviews did not lead me astray!
And the fact is that most potential customers read Google Reviews before making a purchase or selecting a service. This tells us that Google Reviews can either positively impact your business or negatively affect it (I was not going to call a chiropractor with multiple 1-star reviews).
In today’s world, most people will view your company’s abilities through the lens of reviews on your Google Business Profile. This is why you must point your customers to leave a review whenever feasible. Let’s explore some advantages of using a Google Business Profile and why you should ramp up your focus on getting reviews to help your business succeed.
Positive Google Reviews Lead to More Customers
While it might seem self-explanatory, it must still be pointed out. The more positive reports your company has been given online, the higher the likelihood of gaining a more prominent position on the map. Put more simply: Companies with positive reviews tend to gain more website traffic and inbound calls. So you must begin to use Google Business Profile reviews to your advantage.
You can do this by handing out a business card that says, “Please leave us a review online,” or you could send an email after a service that includes a link to your Google Business Page. The chiropractor I mentioned earlier has a framed picture in their waiting room that says, “Please leave us a Google Review.” Automated text messages also facilitate more reviews on Google. Simple reminders like that are what can ramp up your reviews.
Boost Your Visibility and SEO
One of the great things about spending more time invested in your Google Business Reviews is that this will also increase your website’s visibility and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If you actively engage with your customers online, Google picks this up and can give your website a more favorable ranking on the search engine. With a higher ranking, your website will generate more clicks and traffic.
Even if you have a handful of negative reviews on your Google Business page, you can still demonstrate a “customer first” mindset by interacting with them about their poor experience. No one likes negative reviews, but it is possible that this experience could help boost your website’s reputation by showing other potential customers how you handle customer feedback. It would help your business if you remembered to respond to all of your reviews, positive or negative. Please do not just ignore them. Interacting with your customers will help you rank higher on Google Maps for your key terms.
Google Business Reviews = Free Online Marketing
If you are a small business, you may not have much money to spend on marketing. Many small companies, like yours, face difficult daily decisions on where to allot their marketing dollars. But the fantastic thing is that Google Business Reviews cost you nothing. This is why setting up your Google Business Profile for free is so important. Do not miss this opportunity.
Remember, when people type in a Google search online, they look for a credible business that will treat them fairly. If your company can start getting positive reviews on your profile, then there is no doubt that you will begin receiving more customers. This is one of the amazing things about online marketing.
What Should You Do Now?
You have received some primary reasons why you should ramp up your focus on Google Business Reviews. Hopefully, you do not feel overwhelmed because you shouldn’t be. Even though you might feel stretched thin as you continue to run your small business, remember that setting aside time devoted to your online marketing efforts can go a long way.
If you are a small business and need assistance navigating the online marketing world, please get in touch with us at PersistSEO. You can call us at 770.580.3736 for more information or complete the online form and tell us about your project.