| by Admin
Knowing how to ask for a Google review is vital to growing your small business. Here's a look at how you can ask for feedback from your customers.
Did you know that a simple one-star increase on Yelp could boost your revenue by 5% to 9%?
You hear all the time about online reviews and how they help to steer buyer decisions. Yet, many businesses—especially small ones—have a difficult time getting reviews.
People today trust peer reviews because they're open and honest—something you don't get with branded content and ads. This means you need to have a strategy to get more reviews for your business.
If you're ready to build a solid review-generating strategy, keep reading! Don't forget to drop your email below if you'd like to receive more tips and resources like this straight to your inbox.
Why Google Reviews Matter
Plant shop owners serving customers.
Word of mouth marketing has kept most local small businesses in operation since the dawn of commerce. Now that we're shifting to an online marketplace, we find consumers are using the web to research products and services.
Once they find several options, the next step is to find which business to shop with. And to do this, they need the help of their peers.
This is true for the majority of today's consumers, who read online reviews before visiting businesses. We find that 90% of consumers say positive reviews influence their buying decision.
Another 86% claim that negative reviews deterred them from buying from a business.
This goes to show the dominance online reviews have on the reputation of local businesses. But you don't have to be a victim.
Here's how to ask for a Google review (and put the odds in your favour).
How to Ask for a Google Review
Getting more (or better) reviews for your local business is easier when you develop a strategy around the process. Waiting around for customers to leave a rating isn't going to suffice and buying Google reviews is definitely not an option.
Here's how to get more reviews on Google—the right way:
Find the Timing Right
Your business type will determine the best time to reach out to customers for a review. For example, if you own a local gym, then you may want to wait 30 days of regular visits.
This way, they can post their results using photos, videos, or text.
On the other hand, if you sell a product that offers instant gratification, then asking for a review within a day is your best bet. This way, your product is still fresh in their mind.
In this case, you can ask for a review of your receipts via email or text.
Make it Easy for Customers to Review Your Business
People are busy and easily distracted—a bad combination when you're asking a customer to take time out of their life to review your company.
So the key is to make the process as simple as possible. If you send an email or text asking for a review, then include the right link. Give them two to three ideas and tips on what to point out in their review whether it's the quality, speediness, or care of your products and services.
Use Email Marketing
Collecting emails from your customers is an excellent way to grow your business. Not only does it keep you in touch with your customers, but it also positions you to send requests for Google reviews.
But how do you go about capturing emails?
If you have a website (which we hope you do), then you can use a content strategy. Create a blog that directs traffic to your site and at the end, offer a free download to a helpful guide in exchange for their email. If you're a restaurant, you can offer a free appetizer or a discount. Or if you're a fitness trainer, then you can create a guide with a home workout routine.
Then, set up an email sequence that includes a review request.
Add a Google Review Link to Your Website
If your site regularly attracts your customers, then this is an easy, must-have website feature to add. You can add a link to the header or footer of your site and include testimonials feed to encourage prospective clients to book your services.
You'll need to use a Google review link generator, which you can learn about here.
Email Template for Google Review Requests
So what should you say in your email to customers? Here's a quick example:
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Hi [CLIENT NAME],
Thanks for purchasing/booking [PRODUCT OR SERVICE] with us! It was a pleasure to serve you.
As a valued customer, we'd like to ensure you're satisfied with your purchase. We'd love to hear about your experience with [PRODUCT OR SERVICE]. If you could take a few minutes to leave us a review on Google [LINK], we'd greatly appreciate it!
To write your review, just click the link below and let us know your feedback!
[LINK]
Thanks in advance for your review. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or if you need assistance with [PRODUCT OR SERVICE].
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[COMPANY NAME]
[COMPANY PHONE NUMBER]
[COMPANY EMAIL]
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Automate Review Requests
Phone screen showing a business' reviews.
If you're worried you won't have the time to manage an email campaign or manually request reviews—there's another way.
You can use get reviews, which allows you to do everything in one place. In your dashboard, you can send and automate client communications—including review requests!
This tool will help make the process easy and seamless. You can also use your GoLocall dashboard to read and respond to online reviews on multiple platforms in one place. If you're worried about negative feedback, the Reviews tool allows you to resolve negative feedback before it goes live.
Want to learn more about GoLocall? Then sign up for a free, 14-day trial below!