Google Counts Online Reviews As 16% Of Its Ranking Factors When Displaying Results.

Have you ever received a fantastic Google review for your company but been unsure how to respond to the feedback? On the other hand, perhaps it wasn’t great, and you chose to ignore it in the hopes that it would go away. 

DON’T IGNORE THE REVIEWS!

You can’t ignore negative reviews of small companies online since so many people read them (98%). If you take the time to respond to and strategically use reviews, you can boost your company’s local Google results and ultimately increase sales. 

Here are some easy ways to use your Google business reviews to boost your local SEO, attract more consumers, and increase traffic.

What is Local SEO?

The term “local SEO” refers to improving a company’s online visibility for terms related to a specific geographic area, such as “auto body shop Phoenix.” Local SEO mainly consists of improving a company’s website and Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

For what reasons is local SEO important?

Simple: that is how local buyers discover local businesses.

This demographic’s search intent reveals that they seek businesses that meet certain criteria, such as proximity to their location or the urgency of services like food delivery or oil changes. Google’s algorithm aims to match users with businesses that can fulfill their specific requirements.

Local organic search and map pack/local pack are the two main subsets of local SEO. Near the top of search results pages, you’ll see a brief list of local company listings known as the Map Pack (sometimes called the “Local Pack”). The Map Pack has its own rules and algorithm. For the time being, your local company should appear in the Map Pack.

The standard search results after the Map Pack are local organic searches. You shouldn’t disregard conventional organic SEO best practices because you’re concentrating on the Map Pack for local SEO. Fortunately, most local SEO optimization strategies will simultaneously improve your organic and map pack rankings.

A potential customer’s location greatly affects the results they view, so keep that in mind. The distance to the destination is one of Google’s local SEO ranking variables that takes travel time into account. 

The Influence of Google Reviews on Local Search Rank: The Google Say!

What does Google have to say about this? Let’s go right to the source. 

Google ranks local results in three main ways: prominence, proximity, and relevancy. Review aggregation data is considered to be of high importance. A company’s prominence can be described as its level of public recognition.

Google has stated:

According to Google, 

• “More reviews and positive ratings will probably improve a business’s local ranking.” 
• “Google review count and score are factored into local search ranking.”
• “Reply to reviews that customers post about your company to engage with them.”
• “A company that takes the time to reply to reviews demonstrates that it values its customers’ opinions and the input they provide.”
• “High-quality, positive reviews from your customers will improve your business’s visibility and boost the possibility of a potential consumer visiting your location.”
• “Provide a website where clients may submit reviews.”
• “It is impossible to ask for or purchase a higher local ranking on Google. We strive to keep the specifics of our search algorithm under wraps to maintain an equitable ranking system for all users.”

As is typical of Google, they don’t thoroughly explain how reviews contribute to local SEO. One thing we know for sure, though, is that user reviews play a major role in search engine rankings. 

How Significant Are Google Reviews For Local SEO? 

Improved visibility, reputation, traffic, and more are just a few ways Google reviews can impact your local SEO. Your brand remains relevant when it consistently receives both favorable and negative feedback. You can improve your search engine rankings by responding to Google reviews. Notable effects of Google Reviews on search engine optimization include the following. 

1. Increase Confidence 

A strong foundation of trust between your company and prospective clients can be laid by reading Google Reviews. Reviews from satisfied customers show that your items or services are well-received by others, reassuring site visitors. This trust-building feature is very useful in a local setting, where customers frequently go to their friends for advice. You can boost your brand’s awareness and encourage positive word of mouth by earning your customers trust. 

2. Increase Company’s Foot Traffic

Positive reviews on Google Reviews do more than boost customer trust; they also directly affect the traffic your business receives. A high overall rating increases potential clients’ likelihood of clicking on your business listing. In addition to increasing site traffic, a higher CTR demonstrates to search engines that your business is popular and relevant.

3. Ranking Factors 

Google prefers companies that offer helpful information to users. Local reviews help with this by providing information on how satisfied customers were with the service, the quality of the products, and the entire experience. Search engines see user-generated content indicating that your business cares about its customers and their requirements, which can boost your Google rankings.

Improve Local SEO with Google Reviews: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Claim And Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

Establishing a Google Business Profile is the first step. People looking for your local services will see this platform in Google Maps and the Google Search Map Pack, making it essential for local SEO. Please update your profile with the most recent information about your company, including its name, address, services, phone number, website, and hours of operation.

If you fill out this information accurately, customers will have an easier time finding your business, and you will be able to manage your Google Reviews more effectively. Doing this will ensure that people in your area looking for what you sell may find your company.

Step 2: Set Up A Review Generation System

Develop an easy approach to feedback collection from your customers when they make a purchase or visit your store. 

One way to accomplish this is to send them a quick email, text message, or even a personal request just before they go. Another is to allow them to easily submit a review. You can make a QR code or URL shortener to get around this.

If leaving a review is easy, more people will express their ideas, which is fantastic news for your company. By hearing what they have to say, you can increase the likelihood that more people will become aware of your business and make a purchase or visit. Always remind your consumers to post reviews and ensure your GMB page has a steady stream of new reviews. 

Bonus Tip: To make their Google reviews even more impactful, encourage your clients to submit media-like images and videos of your service or product.

Step 3: Respond To All Reviews (almost instantly)

It should be a policy to respond quickly—within a day or two—to every review, positive or negative. Make it personal while responding to demonstrate that you value their opinion. As a result, your clients will feel valued and heard. This is crucial if you want people to have a good impression of your brand. This shows that you value other people’s thoughts and feelings. 

Doing so can provide excellent customer service and demonstrate that you value your clients’ opinions. A helpful hint for improving your results is to mention your service and location in your review responses. 

Step 4: Respond Constructively To Negative Reviews

Apologize honestly and determine how to rectify the situation when you receive negative feedback. Either suggest a method to enhance the customer’s experience or politely request that they discuss it more discreetly. The best way to deal with bad reviews is to use them to improve your business. 

Demonstrating humility and being open to feedback creates a significant impact on customers. By showing your willingness to rectify the situation, you can turn a negative into a positive and, who knows, turn a consumer who was unhappy into a brand advocate. 

Step 5: Draw Attention To Glowing Reviews

Display the great evaluations that your customers have left prominently on your website and other media channels. Creating a powerful social proof can greatly enhance your credibility and thus creating brand awareness.

Also, consider creating a special “Testimonials” page or a prominent part of your homepage where people can easily find these reviews.

Furthermore, you can utilize a plugin or widget that effortlessly showcases your site’s most recent 5-star reviews. This way, new, encouraging comments are continually highlighted. This tactic supports your strengths, encouraging current and future clients to buy from you and rave about your service.  

The strategy’s second major perk is that it gives SEO boosts, which is always a plus. CS search engines highly value user-generated content and signs of authority and trust. Prominently displaying favorable testimonials can convince search engines of your service’s reliability and quality. 

Step 6: Consistently Monitor Your Reviews

Use dedicated tools or delegate the task to an employee to monitor your Google Reviews regularly. Google Business Profile Manager can help you accomplish this. Doing so will allow you to react to people’s comments and identify recurring issues swiftly.

It’s simple and free to survey potential clients and learn more about their service needs. Immediate action on feedback allows you to improve your business continuously.

It demonstrates to consumers that their feedback is being read and appreciated, encouraging others who have had a favorable experience to do the same. 

Step 7: Boost Your Local SEO by Increasing Customer Reviews

Following the techniques above will help your local business get more favorable reviews and ratings.  Positive reviews from satisfied customers send a message to Google about the reliability and value of your business, which can boost your position in local search results. 

The reviews also contain further terms connected to your business to optimize your search relevancy without dedicated SEO tactics. Customers are more likely to do business with a company with a large number of positive ratings. Therefore, a bigger number of reviews can boost your listing’s visibility and the number of clicks that lead to your website. 

Adhering to these seven guidelines can make the most of Google Reviews for local SEO, online reputation, and client relationship building. 

Conclusion

Your company can significantly benefit from Google Reviews. Keep in mind that almost all customers read reviews before trying a local business. So, rather than ignoring comments, whether positive or negative, consider them opportunities for growth.

Improving your local SEO is as easy as following simple actions, such as encouraging consumers for review generation, promptly replying to any criticism, and highlighting your top reviews.
More people can discover your company online, shop at your store, or hire you. Your company will flourish if you create a feedback loop, interact with consumers, and act on it.