Do you regularly ask for and give reviews on Google? Until recently, I’ll admit that I hadn’t been doing much asking for or giving of these reviews. I’d been so focused on LinkedIn recommendations and Facebook business page reviews that I’d been neglecting Google reviews.

Since I started asking for and receiving Google reviews, the activity on my Google My Business page has definitely increased.

 

What’s the Value of Having Good Google Reviews?

There are countless reasons for having good Google reviews. In their August 2020 blog DevDigital shared 5 Reasons Why Google Reviews are Important for Your Business. 

Keep in mind, they point out, that Google rules the search engine world. Furthermore, a good review on Google:

  • Helps your search engine optimization and visibility
  • Can influence potential customers
  • Helps you interact with customers
  • Improves click-through rates with your website

Frederik Hermann’s May 2020 article in Birdeye was also very informative. He points out in Why Customers Read Google Reviews and How It Impacts Small Businesses that customers:

  • Trust your Google reviews
  • Are checking your credibility
  • Intend to book with you
  • Are comparing you with competitors
  • Are watching your responses

 

Tips for Google Reviews Written for You

You need to make it easy for people to write a review for you on Google. Here’s some approaches I’ve taken:

  • After providing a service to someone, ask the person to write you a Google review. Be sure to encourage them to use words and phrases that are used by others when searching for your services. In my world, some examples would be “LinkedIn tutor,” “LinkedIn training,” or “Facebook class.”
  • Provide the link to the part of your Google My Business Page where they can write the review.
  • Whenever you email your clients or send out your newsletter, include the link to where people can write you a Google review.
  • When Google notifies you that the review has been posted, reply to the review as soon as possible. In your reply, use those same kinds of words and phrases that people use in their searches.

 

Tips for Google Reviews That You Write for Others

  • Ask the person if there are specific words or phrases that you can include in the review you write for them on Google.
  • The more reviews you write on Google, the higher Google values your opinion. Most likely there are a number of companies and people who have helped you that you can review.
  • Don’t stop with the Google review. Even though it’s the most important way to give public feedback, consider writing a similar review on social media. For example, use the information in your Google review to write a review on the company’s Facebook business page. You can also use this information in a LinkedIn recommendation for whomever provided the service. In this case, the two of you have to be connected on LinkedIn.

 

How About You?

Do you regularly write Google reviews for others? Do you ask for these reviews after you provide a service or product to a customer? What’s been your experience with Google reviews?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook and LinkedIn. She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, job seekers, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.