Google Reviews – 4 Tips On Beefing Up Your Positive Reviews
According to a new survey conducted by Dimensional Research, an "overwhelming 90 percent of respondents who recalled reading online reviews claimed that positive online reviews influenced buying decisions, while 86 percent said buying decisions were influenced by negative online reviews."
Here's 4 Simple Steps to Increase Your Positive Google Reviews
1) If you have a significant database of customers, say 3500 customers or more, you can enlist a company such as Feefo. They have entered into a partnership with Google to ensure that reviews are verified as authentic. You simply submit your database to them and they will begin contacting your customers for you, asking for reviews.
Feefo is a Google certified partner, ensuring that your customers are more likely to respond to their requests. You can also let your potential customers know that all of your reviews are independently verified by Google to ensure that they can be trusted. Their fees are very reasonable and can become a part of your existing online marketing budget.
2) If you are a smaller website operator you can try another company called Five Star Review System. Their rates start at just $ 49 per month. They appear to have a great system that can assist your business in getting more reviews. They are not a certified Google partner but you can still claim an independent review process that ensures your reviews are 100% authentic.
3) You can create your own program to reach out for more reviews. Simply ask your customers to write a review when they're satisfaction with your service is fresh and top-of-mind. Don't let that short window pass because once your customer's feeling of euphoria is gone, it's gone.
Be sure to let your customer know just how big a favor they're doing for you by writing a review and tell them exactly how you'll benefit from their review. Most customers are happy to help and it's an easy favor to fulfill.
When your customer understands just how important this favor is to you, they're more likely to reward you with referrals as well as their review.
4) Acknowledge your customers who write reviews by contacting them immediately, thanking them and telling them how much you appreciate what they've done for you. The key here is to make your appreciation prompt and sincere. To do this, simply monitor the review sites for reviews or have a system in place that notifies you whenever a new review is posted.