Boost Your Local SEO Game with Google Reviews
Google Reviews can be really powerful for local SEO. Ever wondered what the secret sauce is for getting your business—or your client’s businesses—more reviews and boosting search ranking? In this article we will show you an easy method to get more Google reviews.
Key Factors to Know
Here are some factors where Google Reviews can influence search ranking :
- Quantity of Reviews: More is merrier!
- A Constant Flow of Reviews: Keep ’em coming.
- Reviews with Text: Not just star ratings, folks.
- Legitimate Reviews: Authenticity is key.
- Authority of Reviewers: Experienced reviewers carry more weight.
There are more variables, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll focus on the top two: quantity and a steady flow.
Want to learn more about the effect of reviews on SEO? Here’s a fantastic resource that goes into more detail: How Google Reviews Influence SEO.
3 Steps to Get More Google Reviews
Step 1: Grab Your Review Link
Firstly, grab your unique Google review link. This golden ticket takes customers straight to the review section, simplifying their experience and increasing the odds that they’ll leave you that valuable review.
Let’s be real: asking for Google reviews often falls flat—not because people don’t want to help, but because the “extra” steps like searching for your business and locating the review section can feel like a chore.
A direct link removes that friction, guiding them right where you want them—your review page. Here are two straightforward methods to grab that link:
Option 1: Via Google Search
- Log into your Google Business Profile.
- Find your business on Google Search and click on the number of reviews you have.
- Hit that “Get more reviews” button.
- This will be your review link
Option 2: Via Place ID Finder
- Useful if you haven’t claimed your business yet or you do not own the Google business profile
- Go to the Place ID Finder on the Google Maps developer platform.
- Search for your business
- Copy the Place ID, and plug it into the following URL:
https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid={YourPlaceIDHere}.
So it should look something like this:
https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJb1vontJ5hlQRL5IRRlxAEPU
- This will be your link!
Step 2: Create a Landing Page
Build a sleek landing page that houses your review link. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly, visually pleasing, and straight to the point. Host it on a URL like: https://yourdomain.com/review.
Add your logo, a small paragraph and the button with the link you got in Step 1.
Here is an example of a simple but effective landing page:
Step 3: Share & Follow-Up
Before sending the review link, set the stage with your customer. You might say, ‘Once we’ve completed the work, we’d love to hear your thoughts. We’ll send you a direct link to leave us a review. Would it be alright to send that link via text message?’
SMS is usually more effective than email. You can send it manually from your business phone. You can also use email to send the review request. With email, it might be easier to automate it with marketing automation software like Hubspot.
Don’t hesitate to follow up if you don’t get a review after a few days. Three to four nudges might do the trick.
🚨 Legal Alert: If you plan to automate SMS sending, be sure you comply with legal regulations.
A Quick Heads-Up: Avoid Review Gating
Whatever you do, don’t filter out negative reviews by asking customers to rate you first. An example of this would be to get feedback from customers with a form, and if it is favorable, you send them the review link.
This violates Google’s policies, and you could lose all your reviews. Read more on that here.
Quick Recap:
- Get Your Google Review Link: Make it easy for customers; give them a direct path to review you.
- Create a User-Friendly Landing Page: Host your review link on a simple, mobile-optimized page.
- Share the Link & Follow-Up: Text or email the link post-service, and don’t hesitate to send a gentle follow-up.
Go get those reviews now!!
Struggling with the Technical Bits?
Whether it’s generating your unique Google Review Link or creating a sleek landing page, we’ve got your back. Let us help you set up the perfect system to gather Google Reviews effortlessly. Click here to contact us »
