{"id":4004,"date":"2021-03-01T17:47:54","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T17:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/?p=4004"},"modified":"2021-03-01T17:47:54","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T17:47:54","slug":"how-important-are-google-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/01\/how-important-are-google-reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"How Important Are Google Reviews?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Word of mouth has always been a powerful asset for business owners. We trust our fellow community members to steer us towards high-quality companies we should spend our money with. And, of course, the internet makes this process easier than it\u2019s ever been.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Google reviews<\/strong> offer a snapshot of what your local community thinks about a restaurant, shop, or service. It\u2019s growing more and more important to garner good reviews online, specifically on Google. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightlocal.com\/research\/local-consumer-review-survey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">79% of buyers<\/a> report that they trust online reviews as much as a recommendation from a friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u21ee How wild is that?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clearly, there are other review websites out there where customer crawl for the best business. Yelp definitely opened up the doors to new possibilities! However\u2026 who\u2019s using Yelp now? Unless you\u2019ve got the app or you directly want to only use Yelp for reviews, you\u2019re probably just going to do a Google search. I mean, who wouldn\u2019t? It\u2019s the most common search engine to use these days and it has reviews pulled up right there on a business profile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Google reviews are important<\/strong>. But how much of an impact can they truly make? Let\u2019s take a look at how they can benefit your business &#8211; whether small, medium, or even large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Need a game plan for reviews? <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Contact us<\/em><\/a><em> to develop your review processes and increase your local SEO.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Are Google Reviews So Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ImportanceOfReviews-378x1024-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5383\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google reviews can give your business a boost in more ways than one. You might be surprised at what you can gain from customer feedback. But <strong>before you can start to collect reviews<\/strong>, you\u2019ll need to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/blog\/local-seo\/what-is-google-my-business-and-how-to-use-it\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Business Profile<\/a> (GBP) account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will allow you to show up on <a href=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/blog\/marketing\/how-to-appear-on-google-maps\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2824\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Maps<\/a> and Search and have a profile for customers to leave their thoughts. Once you have your GBP account established you can start to reap the benefits of collecting Google reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related article:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/blog\/marketing\/google-search-vs-google-maps-where-are-your-users\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3988\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Google Maps vs Google Search, Where Are Your Users?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Once you start collecting reviews, you can see benefits such as these:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Puts Your Business On the Map\u2026 Literally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-26-at-4.12.36-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5386\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we mentioned before, once you create a GBP account, your business will appear on Google Maps. Appearing here is instrumental in running a successful local SEO campaign. Maintaining a spot on Google Maps and collecting reviews there can attract new customers to your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, some <strong>quick facts<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sagapixel.com\/local-seo\/local-seo-stats\/\">\u201cNear me\u201d searches<\/a> have doubled in the last year [2020].<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>86% of individuals look up the location of a business using Google Maps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People in your market will be searching here&nbsp;before picking a place to do business with. And most of them will also look at reviews while they\u2019re there too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good Reviews = Credibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A collection of glowing Google reviews automatically shows potential customers that you have the credibility to back your business up. We are social creatures. We innately want to know what our fellow humans&#8217; experience is in uncharted territory \u2013i.e. your business\u2013 so we can see if we should dare to tread there too. Good reviews satisfy our need for validation when seeking our goods and services from a new company.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Google Reviews Boost Local SEO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local SEO is a huge part of running a successful small to medium-sized business. Yes, it\u2019s also good for larger companies too! This offshoot of SEO aims to help display your GBP profile higher on Google Maps as well as help you rank on the SERPs (search engine results pages) higher than your local competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yeah, even Starbucks can be outranked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many moving parts involved in SEO. <a href=\"https:\/\/moz.com\/local-search-ranking-factors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">According to Moz<\/a>, review signaling accounts for around <strong>15.44%<\/strong> of your ranking power for local SEO. However, take this with a grain of salt. Based on our own research of helping local clients rank on Google through GBP, we\u2019ve found that the weight of reviews is significantly less than you\u2019d think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, reviews are a ranking signal, but you\u2019ll probably notice <strong>a lot of businesses are ranking above you WITHOUT reviews<\/strong> or with nasty reviews. This is because of many factors, most likely the business name or proximity to the customer\u2019s search. However, this doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re getting phone calls, quite the opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reviews substantiate a business on a directory such as Google Maps. Better reviews, filled with information (so not just a star rating) are more important to customers. They tell a story of another customer\u2019s experience, which leads to a <strong>higher conversion rate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In local SEO, it\u2019s <em>okay<\/em> to be ranking, it\u2019s <strong><em>better<\/em><\/strong> to be getting conversions to coincide with that visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Positive Google reviews are a great tool to boost your standing and even get you into the Local Map Pack. You know, that area in Google Search that shows the top 3 businesses for a local keyword query. Yeah, that Local Map Pack!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identify Your Growth Edge&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ezgif.com-optimize.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6260\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one wants to see a negative review on their GBP account! But criticism can help you identify where you need to improve as a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short: <strong>Hear your customers out<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If they had a bad experience, listen to their concerns with an open mind. Is there anything you or your employees could have done better? If they identify a problem area, find ways to address it so you never have to worry about upsetting another customer for the same reason. Of course, some reviews will be more constructive than others. Use your discernment to take stalks in the criticism that matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the end, how you handle it (and you <strong>SHOULD<\/strong> handle it) matters to that customer and other customers. Plus, <em>if you don\u2019t respond<\/em> to it, it could damage your ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Google Reviews Improve Click-Through Rates&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click-through rates are another vital piece of SEO. The more people click on your landing page from Google, the more \u201cjuice\u201d you\u2019ll earn towards ranking. The more traffic you garner, the more relevant and credible search engines will deem you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google reviews can help you achieve a better click-through rate. As potential customer searches Google Maps, they can see every business\u2019s average rating. If they see that you have a good rating, they just might decide to click on your website link to learn more. Or they\u2019ll straight up call you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Offers Better Communication With Customers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The internet makes it easy as pie to connect with your customers. Building relationships is a huge part of maintaining a business. Every review you receive is another opportunity to strengthen your customer communication. Good or bad, a review gives you an inside look at how people are perceiving your business. Having this information can help you accommodate your customers\u2019 needs more effectively and strengthen your relationship.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Maximize Your Google Reviews&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that we have a good understanding of how Google reviews can benefit a business, you might be wondering how to get them. Well, there are quite a few effective ways to garner reviews on your GBP account. Here are just a handful that we recommend.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Guy-giving-a-review.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5391\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/blog\/local-seo\/more-reviews-for-your-service-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2205\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Getting More Reviews For Your Service Business (3 Actionable Strategies)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ask Your Customers to Review<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You would be surprised how far simply asking for reviews can get you. It\u2019s easy to assume those you ask might blow you off but statistics actually suggest otherwise. Believe it or not, <a href=\"https:\/\/yeah-local.com\/google-business-reviews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">7 out of 10 consumers<\/a> will actually leave a review for a business if they\u2019re asked to. So don\u2019t be afraid to ask for a review when you gain a new customer. They might just be willing to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reply to All Reviews<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can reply to every review individually on GBP. You should reply to as many reviews as possible \u2013 <strong>both negative and positive<\/strong>. This signals to the customer that you are an engaged business owner. Thank those with positive reviews and try to address concerns in a professional tone. Don\u2019t be rude when replying to a review \u2013 even if it\u2019s bogus. When you reply to your reviews, other customers will see that you care about feedback and might be more primed to leave their own thoughts too.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maintain a Top-Tier Business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good service will always win the day. You probably already put this into practice but it\u2019s always important to keep in mind. Each successful transaction and each exemplary display of customer service really do<strong> add up<\/strong>. If you consistently go above and beyond to be the best in your business, you will eventually see reviews to back that up. Conversely, if you provide bad service, you can almost <strong>guarantee<\/strong> that you\u2019ll earn a <em>negative<\/em> review.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And there you have it! Now go out there and get those reviews!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Need more guidance in the world of digital marketing? <a href=\"https:\/\/beyondbluemedia.com\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get in touch with Beyond Blue Media<\/a> today to find out how we can help navigate marketing with you! \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Word of mouth has always been a powerful asset for business owners. We trust our fellow community members to steer us towards high-quality companies we should spend our money with. And, of course, the internet makes this process easier than it\u2019s ever been.&nbsp; Google reviews offer a snapshot of what your local community thinks about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4010,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marketing","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4004"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4004\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.beyondbluemedia.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}