Google Reviews Overview
When it comes to increasing your company’s sales, leads, and new customers, you may have one area you have overlooked: online reviews. Online reviews play a huge role in brand management and brand protection. If you are not actively monitoring your online Google reviews or reviews on other platforms, it can negatively impact your business.
According to Findstack, 63% of consumers turn to Google reviews to learn about your business and decide whether they want to work with you. Because of that, it is important to make sure your online reputation is in order. At OneCom Media & Marketing, we work with established companies that want to take their business from good to great and generate more leads, sales, and new customers. Monitoring Google reviews and knowing the best way to respond to them will go a long way to grow your business.
How to Leave a Google Review
Any person can leave a Google review online. As a business owner, you can leave reviews, but you cannot post a review as your business. Additionally, you do not necessarily need to have a Google account in order to leave a review on someone’s business.
To leave a review, you have a few options to take:
- Search for the business on Google Search
- Search for the business on Google Maps
- Follow a QR code
- Follow a review link
Typically, the business you want to review will show up on the right-hand side of your screen if you are on a computer. On the other hand, if you are on a mobile device, the business will be the first item that appears on your screen if you type in the full business name. From there, you will want to click on their review rating and can leave a review. You have two ways to leave a review. First, you can leave a star rating only. Or, you can leave a star rating with text review and other attributes, such as a photo and video.
Responding to Google Reviews
As a business owner, it is important to reply to all of the reviews left on your Google Business Profile, including the negative reviews. Review replies offer an additional way to grow your business that many people do not think of.
First, we will go over positive reviews. When someone reviews your business and gives you a four or five star rating, you should thank them. It also gives you the chance to turn a one-time customer into a repeat customer by taking the time to respond to their Google review.
While you may think it is important to avoid responding to negative reviews, the opposite is actually true. It is important to get to the bottom of why someone is upset enough to leave a negative review of your business. Regarding negative reviews, it is important to provide an email address or a phone number where the reviewer can reach you to go over the review. Additionally, you will want to try to turn an unhappy customer into one who will still return to your business in the future.
Does this seem like a lot of work to manage as a business owner? At OneCom Media & Marketing, we can do it for you. We take the time to develop review responses for the ratings your business receives. Additionally, we will use keywords in the responses to help build your ranking.
Why Are Some People Labeled as Local Guides?
Google Local Guides is a program created by Google. It is an opt-in program that rewards people for posting insightful reviews online. The more people post reviews and provide other insights on individual Google Business Profiles, the more points they earn.
Regardless of if someone is a Local Guide, you want to always respond to reviews left on your Business Profile. This includes negative reviews. Review responses shows provide a way to potentially win back a customer depending on your response. As mentioned above, it is why review responses to negative reviews are so crucial to your business.
In the ever-growing digital world, it is important to know what people say about your business online. When you work with OneCom Media & Marketing, we can help you with your online reputation management. Knowing everything you need to do to promote your business online is a lot for growing your business. That is where OneCom Media & Marketing can help. Our team-based approach and knowledge on digital marketing services helps ensure you regularly have more sales, leads, and new customers. Let us show you what our team of expert digital marketers can do for your business. Contact OneCom Media & Marketing today.
