Google Reviews - What Is It?

The Google My Business service, designed for business owners, allows consumers to post opinions and reviews about products and services within Google Reviews. A Google Business Profile can be a great and completely free way to advertise.

Stars and positive reviews earned through the service impact the company's image and the purchasing decisions of potential customers. How can you leverage the potential of Google Reviews?

How Do Google Reviews Work?

Google Reviews allow consumers to post short reviews along with a star rating ranging from 1 to 5. Most importantly, business owners can respond to reviews, express thanks or apologies, and engage in discussions. The content of reviews influences Google’s ranking. Every comment left provides another link directing users to your website. The more positive reviews you gather, the higher your site will appear in Google Maps search results.

You may come across tempting offers online promising to sell positive reviews. Avoid such opportunities – they can clutter your profile and raise doubts about your company’s credibility.

How to Gather Good Reviews on Google?

Many satisfied customers say they are happy to leave a review if asked. This can be done in several ways. The first is a direct request during the customer's visit to your business. Flyers or small business cards encouraging visits to your social media pages and offering a discount on the next visit can help. Another option is to place a button that redirects to the Reviews section. Encourage leaving reviews on your company's Facebook profile and in newsletters. Also, make sure to respond promptly to the reviews you receive – this kind of engagement shows customers that your company aims to build genuine relationships with consumers.

Try to learn from mistakes as well – do not react to negative reviews with anger or frustration, but carefully consider their content. If you notice criticism of your services, products you use daily to fulfill orders, or negative ratings of your staff, think about what changes could improve your business. Accumulating negative reviews can become an anchor that drags a struggling company down.

Remember, Google does not allow the removal of negative reviews, but it does review reports concerning offensive, false, racist, or violent content. You can report harmful reviews to Google Support by submitting a brief explanation of why the review is harmful. Next to each review, you will find a flag icon near the reviewer’s name – this is used to report content promoting hatred or inappropriate material. Check the box labeled “This post contains hateful, violent or inappropriate content” and provide your email address. As you now know, acquiring good reviews and managing the entire process is time-consuming but definitely worth the effort. It not only helps improve the SEO of your website but also builds real and effective communication with your customers.