37 Quick Tips to Dominate Google Reviews

As a local business, you’re likely already aware of the enormous impact Google reviews can have on your business. Google is the go-to platform for online reviews as it hosts the most visible reviews on the internet. More reviews mean more leads, more sales, more SEO, and ultimately, more revenue. The great news is that getting high-quality Google reviews is simpler than you think.

It’s inspiring to know that approximately 86% of consumers are open to writing a review for you—you just need to approach them the right way. To that end, we’ve curated 33 quick and simple tips to help you gather Google reviews effortlessly. In just three minutes, you’ll be equipped with the strategies you need to shine in the world of online reviews and outshine your competition.

Getting Started

Before you start, there are a few things you need to do:

• Know Google’s policies concerning reviews.
• Create a Google My Business account and make your business a place on Google Maps.
• Verify your GMB profile.

37 Quick, Winning Strategies

01.    Text. Did you know that over a third of consumers who receive a text invitation for a review actually leave one? What’s more, approximately 41% of consumers prefer text to communicate vs. 18% who prefer email. This means text messaging can be a powerful tool for boosting your Google reviews. Take O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Rowville, for example. After switching to communication via text, they were able to surpass their reviews target plus gain feedback for the fantastic services they provide.

02.    Create a Google review link shortcut. The first step to initiating text review invites involves creating a Google review link shortcut. This nifty shortcut allows you to send customers messages with a direct link they can click to review you quickly and easily.’

03.    Ask at the right time in your customer journey. The best time to ask for a review is when there’s some downtime in the sales process. For instance, in the auto industry, it might be best to request a review after the sale is completed while the customer is waiting in finance. Asking at the right time can make a difference. After integrating a review system, the Australian Diamond Company now enjoys new reviews every other day, on average, instead of under one review per month.

04.    Automate. Streamline your review request process by automating it. Automated systems ensure your customers receive new invitations at key points in their journey, leading to higher collection rates while reducing your team’s workload. Cairns Precision Dental Group saw a dramatic increase in their review numbers, and automation was the key factor behind their success.

05.    Post a sign. Boost the chances of receiving reviews by 12% by displaying a sign requesting feedback. You can easily print out a free sign here to hang near your cash register or on your window to gain valuable insight from happy customers.

06.    Run a seasonal review campaign. Organise and launch a seasonal campaign that encourages customers to leave feedback during specific times of the year, such as holidays or your organisation’s anniversary. Offer special promotions and discounts during these campaigns to motivate customers to share their experiences.

07.    Train your employees to ask in person. Before sending a review invite, your employees should always ask in person. Your employee’s personal touch can make all the difference in engaging your customers. Set clear expectations by letting your customers know:

• Why their feedback and online reviews matter to your business.
• Whether they will be receiving the link via text or email.
• The expected timing of the invitation.

08.     Use compelling language. When asking for a review, emphasise the benefits to the customer. Use active, benefit-focused language like “Leave a review to help us improve your experience” to guide customers, put them in control and ensure they understand the value of their feedback.

09.    Don’t forget to follow up. For customers who haven’t responded to your initial invite, no worries. Send a brief, personalised text reminder to nudge them to share their thoughts.

• Pro tip: Balance automation with personalisation to maintain that human touch in your interactions.

10.    Integrate CTA pop-ups on your site. Use eye-catching CTA pop-ups on your website to engage customers and remind them to leave reviews. These prompts offer another opportunity to capture valuable feedback.

11.    Reach out to past customers. Don’t miss out on reviews from previous customers. Utilising your CRM data, reach out to past customers for Google reviews, referencing their past experience and making the review request simple and convenient. A thoughtful, friendly message can go a long way in securing their feedback.

12.    Build a solid customer relationship. Having strong relationships with previous customers comes in handy when asking for reviews. So be sure to nurture connections with new and existing customers by maintaining contact after purchase.

13.    Empower your team. In addition to training, offer incentives to employees for actively gathering Google reviews. Recognising and rewarding employees for individual mentions adds an extra layer of motivation. For more tips on incentive programs, download Show Me the Money.

14.    Foster a culture of feedback. Reviews are a great source of information on how to better improve your products or services. Discuss customer feedback in your team meetings—celebrate positive reviews and view negative ones as invaluable learning opportunities.

15.    Manage reviews proactively. Demonstrate your unwavering dedication to your customers by promptly addressing both negative and positive reviews. Show customers that their reviews matter to you by responding to negative reviews within 2 hours and positive ones within 24 hours. Your responsiveness and open-mindedness toward feedback encourage customers to share their experiences.

16.    Embrace feedback-driven growth. Gold Coast Plumbing stays ahead of the competition by leveraging customer reviews to continuously enhance their operations. They don’t just collect reviews; they actively use the feedback to refine and improve their business practices.

17.    Showcase those changes. “No pic, didn’t happen” is not just an unspoken rule of social media—the same principle applies to the world of reviews. When you make improvements based on feedback, share these updates on your website, social media, GMB, and more. This lets your customers know that you’re actively listening and taking action.

18.    Express genuine appreciation for feedback. It’s crucial to always show your customers that you truly value and acknowledge their feedback. Whether it’s in person or online, let them know that their input is important to you.

19.    Turn negative reviews into positive experiences. When you resolve an issue mentioned in a negative review, why not ask the customer to leave an updated review? It’s all about addressing negative feedback promptly and effectively. For additional insights on transforming negative experiences into positive ones, download Turning a Negative into a Positive.

20.    Add a review link to your website. Many review sites provide widgets for seamless integration into your homepage, and Google is no exception. By adding a Google review widget, you’ll encourage continuous reviews and ensure that they remain at the forefront of your customers’ minds.

21.    Create a Google reviews page on your website. Consider dedicating a page on your website specifically for Google reviews. This page can actively encourage customers to leave reviews while showcasing existing ones.

• Pro Tip: Highlight reviews in text form rather than using screenshots. This is a great way to enhance your SEO with relevant keywords.

22.    Develop a template for your review text. Create a simple and straightforward template for sharing reviews across all platforms to save time when highlighting reviews.

• Pro Tip: Utilise platforms and plug-ins that allow you to automatically input your Google reviews.

23.    Add a Google review CTA in your footer. If you haven’t placed it elsewhere on your site, add a Google review call-to-action in the footer. This makes it easier for customers to quickly leave feedback when they visit your site.

24.    Launch a Google review email campaign. Although text messages have higher engagement, an engaging email campaign will encourage customers to share their experiences on Google. Email reviews hold great potential for gathering valuable feedback.

25.    Add a Google review link in your email signature. Take it a step further by adding a subtle CTA for Google reviews in your email signature. This can encourage feedback for both your marketing communications and personal correspondence.

26.    Hand out Google review cards. While this may seem old-fashioned, business cards are still popular, especially among contractors and service companies. Embrace the timeless tradition and enhance your networking by including Google review cards. These cards should provide a direct link or QR code with brief instructions.

27.    Leverage QR codes for reviews. Another way to make it easy for customers to leave a review is to generate a QR code that links directly to your Google review page. Place the QR code in visible areas like receipts, menus, or at the checkout counter so customers can scan and leave a review instantly. Create a Google review link here.

28.    Feature customer reviews in your marketing materials. Highlight positive custom reviews in your marketing materials, such as flyers, social media posts, or brochures. This will showcase customer satisfaction while subtly encouraging other customers to leave their own feedback.

29.    Integrate review requests in surveys. Surveys offer a prime opportunity to request feedback. Weave in a prompt for a Google review at the conclusion of the survey to gently nudge customers to reflect on their positive experiences and share them with others.

30.    Engage customers for reviews on social media. Social media is a fantastic platform to collect feedback and boost your visibility as the average consumer spends 3 hours a day on various platforms. Start by sharing a glowing review screenshot and encouraging your customers to let their voices be heard as well.

31.    Showcase positive reviews. Highlighting positive reviews can be a team effort, whether it’s showcasing them in team meetings or giving them prominence in your physical space through printed displays. Celebrating feedback inspires your team and lets your customers know you are open to feedback.

32.    Collect reviews from vendors and partners.  Building connections with local vendors, partners, and larger businesses provides an avenue to cultivate Google reviews. Initiate this by creating a genuine review for their products or services first.

33.    Create an engaging how-to video. Make it easy for customers to leave reviews by showing them how simple it is. Create a short YouTube video or reel with vibrant visuals and user-friendly guidance to empower customers to effortlessly share their experiences with your business.

34.    Send post-purchase follow-up emails. After a customer makes a purchase or uses your services, send a follow-up email to thank them for their business and request a review. Add a direct link to your Google review page to make the process as simple and convenient as possible.

35.   Offer customers incentives for leaving reviews. Although Google discourages incentivising positive reviews, it’s essential to appreciate and encourage all kinds of reviews. As Neil points out, incentivising them to leave a review is not against Google’s policy. Consider creating a special thank you offer or rewards system to motivate your customers to leave their feedback.

36.   Elevate customer experience with text messaging. Building a collection of Google reviews begins with delivering outstanding customer service. Consumers almost twice as often prefer texting over other communication methods. More than 85% of consumers expect businesses to offer more convenient options post-COVID-19. Embracing text messaging can effectively reduce barriers and elevate the overall customer journey.

37.   Utilise a reputation management platform. Managing, responding to, collecting, and analysing reviews can be overwhelming. With the right reputation management platform, you can simplify the process. With Podium’s automated customer review software, your business can see a remarkable increase in reviews and star rating improvement. Our powerful tool can effortlessly handle review management for your business, transforming the process into a seamless, rewarding experience, regardless of business size.

And that’s it.

No lengthy processes or complicated steps. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, keep in mind you don’t have to dive into lengthy procedures. Simply pick a few ideas that suit your current Google review strategy and start with those. As you gradually work through these steps, you’ll establish your business as the top choice in your local area.

Excited to see how quickly you can gather reviews? Try Podium’s 14-day Free Trial and watch your reviews accumulate in no time! Watch our demo here.