Knowing how to get positive Google reviews is challenging for many business owners. There always seems to be so much to do when running a successful business. And it can be tough finding the time to manage online reviews. For some small business owners, they may not even know where to start.
Apart from providing excellent customer experience, the best way to get more Google reviews is to ask for them. But not everyone feels comfortable asking for feedback. You may think that the customer views you as begging for good feedback. Or, you may not want to put someone out of their way—after all, everyone is busy.
But it’s important to remember that asking for reviews is the best way to get them. In this article, you will find out about the best ways to ask for reviews.
Why Do You Need Google Reviews?
Google reviews have a significant influence on consumer behavior. Studies show that over 90 percent of consumers regularly check reviews before making a purchasing decision. More people check Google reviews than any other review website.
There is an extreme amount of social proof with Google reviews. Consumers can read honest thoughts and opinions from people who have used a particular product. The influence of other people’s behavior is often enough to determine whether or not to buy a product or service. It’s a safer choice to go with a company that has Google reviews that one that doesn’t.
More Google reviews lead to a larger online presence. The algorithms behind Google’s search engine picks up on the keywords that are mentioned in your reviews. This simple fact enables the search engines to rank your company higher in the search results. Getting a spot on the first page of Google’s search results is like gold dust—the higher up you are, the more visible you become. Not only are you more visible, but you also become more trustworthy.
The stronger your social proof, and the more significant online presence you have, the more traffic your website receives. This, in turn, leads to a higher conversion rate—converting the “window shoppers” into paying customers. The circle continues—more happy customers equal more positive reviews and the better your bottom line.
Why Should You Ask for Positive Google Reviews?
The benefits of getting more Google reviews are now clear. But you should never assume that customers will automatically leave reviews. Unless there is something terrible about the product or something outstanding, customers quickly forget to leave reviews. Also, they might not appreciate how vital their review is to your business. There is also the fact that people are incredibly busy these days, and the thought of leaving a review may not enter their minds.
Many studies show that people are more than happy to leave Google reviews if you remind them. And there is a right and wrong way to do this. Going about this the wrong way may lead to negative reviews.
So, here are the key things to remember when you ask for positive Google reviews.
How to Ask for Positive Google Reviews
1. Send emails to your customers
The easiest way is to send an email to your customers. At Starloop, we’ve found that the best way to get more reviews is to ask for their feedback. Asking for feedback doesn’t come across as groveling, and it’s not a loaded question. Of course, you should be prepared that a few may leave three-star reviews or even negative ones.
However, you shouldn’t be put off about negative reviews. If you respond appropriately, you can leverage negative reviews to your advantage.
Do you get fake reviews? Please check out this article on how to flag fake Google reviews to remove them.
2. Choose the right time
There have been numerous studies on when the best time to ask for a review is. It depends on the product. But it would be best if you made sure that your customers have had time to use the product. It is also best to ask midweek and earlier on in the day—these times lead to more reviews. Here are four excellent times to ask for reviews:
- Soon after a customer has purchased a product or used your service
- When a customer returns
- If they have received a special offer or discount
- When you release a new product or feature
- In your newsletters
These provide natural opportunities to ask for reviews, rather than just out of the blue.
3. Make sure the process is easy
Leaving a review should be an easy process for your customers. Writing the review should take no longer than a few minutes. It’s always helpful if the customer reaches the review page in one click. If the process is too complicated or there are third-party popups, they are likely to and then stop.
If you say it will only take a few minutes, it must take a few minutes. This means making sure they have a link that will take them straight to your Google review site. Also, try to avoid asking lots of questions that soon become a mini-survey. Ideally, they need to select the number of stars and write a few words.
4. Use the right words
Ask customers for feedback or what they think of a product. Asking in this way takes the pressure off the customer when writing the review. Whether it’s an email, phone call, or in person, you should always make a personalized request and show your appreciation. Don’t feel the need to send a lengthy message. A couple of lines is sufficient.
5. Make your review link visible
Apart from including it in emails and thank you notes, you can have your link in store windows, on your website, and social media platforms. Social media is an excellent option if you and your customers are regularly online. If you want to go a step further, you can create a QR code for your Google reviews. Lining up their smartphone with the QR code takes your customer straight to the review page.
Examples of How to Ask for Google Reviews
Here are just some ideas for how to create a short, personalized template for your reviews.
Example 1
Hi [name]
Thank you so much for choosing [product name]. We hope that you are enjoying your experience. We are continually looking for ways to improve our service, and the best way we can do this is by listening to what you have to say.
If you have a few minutes, we would really appreciate it if you could leave your feedback on Google by clicking on the link below. Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
[Your name]
Example 2
Hi [name]
How did we do? At [company name], our customer’s opinions matter. For us to be able to offer the best (product or service), we would love to hear what you think. Leaving your feedback takes just a couple of minutes, but it means the world to us.
Thank you so much for your loyalty, and we can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
[Your name]
Example 3
Hi [name]
We are so glad that you have chosen to shop with us. We are always looking for more people to become part of our online community and share their feedback. We value your opinions and take all the information from our Google reviews to make things even better.
Your opinions matter too! We would be more than grateful if you could click on the link and take a couple of minutes to leave a Google review. Thank you in advance, and hope to see you again soon.
[Your name]
Asking for Positive Google Reviews
Generally, it’s best not to specify the type of review the customer has to leave. So, rather than asking for a positive review, ask for their honest feedback.
Of course, managing online reviews is time-consuming. So, here at Starloop, we’ve got the perfect solution — review management software. All you need to do is enter your customer’s email address and let Starloop do the rest.
Our automated software sends up to three reminders to your customers for them to leave feedback. As an incentive for them to leave a review, we offer them a unique proposition—if they leave you a review, we’ll plant a tree. Our members tell us that this ethical approach has significantly increased the number of positive reviews they receive in a short space of time.
Do you want to know what Starloop can do for your business? Contact a member of our team today to learn how you can get more positive Google reviews.
