Importance of Google reviews & how to get them

Building a website is more than just establishing an online presence for your company. It's creating a comprehensive and engaging experience for your users. A website that is visually appealing, intuitive and easy to navigate plays a crucial role in delivering excellent customer experience, which in turn boosts the value of the product or service you offer.

However, having a great website is sometimes not enough to maximise results for your business. Google reviews are a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your website’s performance, driving more traffic, increasing sales and improving your website's reputation.

What are Google Reviews?

Google reviews are brief feedback left by customers about their experiences with a product, service or business. They give consumers a platform to share their opinions and experiences online without needing to download an app or register with a specific platform.

In the review process, customers rate their experiences on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. These ratings offer valuable, measurable insights into customer satisfaction and the quality of the business. Studies show 3.3 is the minimum rating customers would engage with.¹

Take advantage of your Google business account and display your company’s online profile and reviews proudly. The overall star rating along with the number of reviews received is displayed alongside the Google Maps listing.

One of the key benefits of Google reviews is they are essentially free yet can make a significant difference in your business's visibility and success. They contribute to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), enhance your online reputation, build trust and offer direct feedback.

There are three critical reasons Google reviews are so valuable, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

1. Building Credibility Through Google Reviews

Having positive Google reviews gives your business a competitive edge by establishing credibility. Consumers rely on online reviews, with 87% checking reviews before making purchasing decisions. The majority of customers only read reviews less than one month old and look for at least 4 stars.¹

Google reviews act as a form of feedback from real customers so they are seen as reliable and honest by potential customers so they believe your business can be trusted. By listening to customer feedback and showing you are responsive to their concerns or compliments, you establish a reputation as a forward-thinking, customer-focused company.

2. Enhancing Brand Trust with Google Reviews

In today’s digital age, it’s almost expected consumers will research a business before committing to a purchase, so transparency continues to be a significant factor in building brand trust. A large part of this research is conducted through Google reviews, which serve as a direct reflection of the business’s quality and customer satisfaction.

The accumulation of positive reviews over time provides proof to potential customers that your business, product or service is legitimate and valuable. For local businesses, collecting Google reviews can be a game-changer, offering a competitive advantage by demonstrating the trust and satisfaction of your existing customer base. Also, these reviews act as feedback to help guide your future business decisions, so you meet the needs of your customers.

3. Boosting SEO with Google Reviews

Understanding Google's search algorithms can be a bit complicated, but it is clear Google reviews play a vital role in local search rankings. A significant portion of Google's search algorithm is influenced by review signals, which include factors such as the volume, frequency and diversity of reviews. So, the more reviews you accumulate and the faster they come in, the more likely you are to improve your search ranking.

Incorporating Google reviews into your SEO strategy can help improve your website’s visibility without relying solely on traditional SEO methods like keyword optimisation or content creation. With Google reviews, your business becomes more discoverable to potential customers, helping you rank higher in search results.

How to Collect Google Reviews

More than 60% of customers will leave a review if a business requests one.² To effectively use Google reviews as part of your marketing strategy, it's essential to consider how and when you request them from customers. Timing is key, and you can request reviews in several ways, such as via email after a purchase, through social media or by asking directly during customer interactions.

The goal is to make the review process as easy as possible for your customers. Providing an incentive can also encourage customers to leave a review. This could be a discount, special offer, or entry into a prize draw. However, it’s important to maintain transparency and ensure the reviews remain authentic and honest.

To make the review process seamless, consider including a direct link to the review page in your email marketing or on your website. This way, customers can quickly leave feedback without any confusion or unnecessary steps.

If your business is growing and you have a larger customer base, it might become more challenging to manage reviews manually. This is where a robust website Content Management System (CMS) can come in handy.

Review management tools for success

When your business starts to grow, managing customer reviews manually can become overwhelming. Thankfully, there are specialised review management tools and website CMS platforms designed to help streamline the process. These tools can assist in collecting, tracking and responding to customer reviews efficiently.

For example, Continuum, a website CMS developed by Web Force 5, offers advanced features such as eCommerce capabilities, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integration and email marketing.

Continuum enables businesses to easily request and manage Google reviews by providing direct links within email campaigns or on specific pages of the website. Additionally, its built-in CRM allows businesses to track which customers have left reviews and follow up with those who haven’t.

Other CMS platforms that make it easier to gather reviews and improve your website's performance and SEO include Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce and Shopify, among others.

In today’s competitive market, Google reviews are a powerful tool for all businesses. By collecting and managing these reviews, you not only improve your SEO and online reputation, but gain valuable insights into customer satisfaction. The more positive reviews you gather, the more credibility and trust your business will gain, leading to increased traffic and sales.

Incorporating Google reviews into your marketing strategy is essential for any business looking to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape. By actively seeking and managing these reviews, you ensure your business stands out and resonates with potential customers.

Web Force 5 can answer all your questions and help you optimise your Google reviews. Call to speak with a specialist consultant for a free, no obligation chat.

¹  https://www.digitalnext.com.au/benefits-google-reviews/
² https://www.podium.com.au/article/online-review-statistics/