Why is it worth having Google Maps reviews on your website?

Did you know that Google reviews are one of the most important ranking factors? That's why business owners try to get as many positive reviews as possible. But are they doing it right? Managing reviews added to Google My Business listings is quite a challenge!

What are Google reviews?

Reviews added to Google My Business listings are recommendations from customers who have already used the services of a given company. This is one of the best ways to appreciate the company or point out its possible shortcomings. Every company wants to build an attractive profile on Google My Business, full of positive reviews.

Unfortunately, it is more common for people to express their frustration and dissatisfaction with a company's services than to leave positive reviews. You often have to work hard to get positive reviews, while getting negative ones is a matter of seconds. That is why it is worth making every effort to meet customer expectations.

Reviews from Local Guides

The Google Local Guides program is a community that verifies information on Google My Business profiles, adds new places and roads, visits locations and leaves reviews about them. For this, they receive points and badges that allow them to advance to a higher level.

After various tests, many experts claim that reviews from this type of user have more weight on Google Maps. They stand out from the crowd because the profiles of local guides are marked with a star. What's more, they usually leave extensive comments, which is of great importance. Of course, a positive review can help here, but a similarly negative comment will also stand out.

How to get reviews on Google page?

Every opinion is very important in Google search results . That is why it is worth taking care of the highest quality of reviews added by customers. In plain English – you have to squeeze the most out of them.

High rating

The most important thing to look for is of course the quality of the reviews. Customers can choose from 1 to 5 stars. Of course, the game is always about getting the highest value.

A customer can enhance their review of a company with a detailed description that includes information about the services provided and their quality. Google prefers reviews to exceed 250 characters. Furthermore, customers find longer reviews more helpful because they provide greater assurance of authenticity. It is a good idea to include industry jargon or keywords in your review.

It is a good idea to have reviews with photos on your company profile that illustrate your services and location markers. These types of testimonials are very powerful, not only in improving your Google ranking, but also in attracting potential customers. Remember that this works both ways: negative reviews can also be reinforced. That is why you should make every effort to ensure that the services offered by your company are always at the highest level and look attractive to customers.

Good company reputation

This is the key to success. Take care of the highest quality of every service offered by your company. Try to serve customers courteously. Always help them and give good advice. Take care of positive feelings of customers towards your company. Thanks to this, they will not only come back to you, but also be more willing to leave a review.

How to remove a negative review on Google?

If you come across a negative review that you believe is not authentic and is the result of unfair competition, you can report the violation to support. You can do so by following these steps:

1.            Log in to your Google My Business dashboard.

2.            Go to the reviews tab.

3.            Find the review you want to report.

4.            Expand the three dots next to the review.

5.            Click "Delete Review."

6.            Select the appropriate reason for your report.

Removing negative reviews is also possible via reporting from Google Maps (as a user). Log in to your Google email and go to the appropriate business listing on Google. To remove negative reviews, find them in the dedicated section and expand the three dots next to them, specifying the reason for the violation.

How to respond to reviews on Google?

Your approach to users affects not only your company's position on Google Maps, but also your company's reputation in the eyes of potential customers. That's why it's important to respond to every customer review, whether it's negative or positive. Responding to negative reviews shows your willingness to solve customer problems. Try to gather more information about the problem to satisfy the customer and compensate for any shortcomings.

It is also good practice to thank the customer for their review, address their comment, and politely end your response. If the reviews are in a different language than the one you use in your company, respond in the same language.

It may not be possible to remove a negative review that is not authentic, as Google may not have enough evidence to prove it is not authentic. Therefore, respond to fake reviews to provide information about fake reviews.

According to research, profiles with only positive reviews do not have the highest authority. Subconsciously, we know that nothing is perfect and there is no place where services can please everyone. So do not worry if you occasionally receive a negative review on your business profile.

Summary

Positive reviews on Google are one of the best ways to attract the attention of potential customers. People like to know that something is tried and tested, so they look for reviews from other users. When they browse your company profile, they will discover interesting information about your business.

A significant number of positive reviews on Google will improve your company's reputation and online presence. A Google My Business profile with numerous reviews will also translate into a better local SEO ranking on maps. It is important to gradually add reviews to your profile. The more users engage with your company page, the better for your business.