Get More Google Reviews With My 11 Proven Review Generation Tips

Your customers want to write reviews. But you may not be asking them. Want to get more for your company?

Online reviews are a great way to bring in new customers, establish brand loyalty, and encourage repeat business.

There are more Google ranking factors in 2019 than I can name. BUT, reviews are near the top. They can also have beneficial effects on your brand reputation. Google’s algorithm also considers reviews.

In this article, learn how to generate more Google reviews.

man leaving a review

1. You need a Google My Business Listing

Don’t rely on a listing that you haven’t claimed to get reviews. If there is an existing Google listing for your business, claim it. Also, be sure that the information it contains is up to date.

Be sure to check the accuracy of the following:

  • Business Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Delivery Information
  • Service Area (Distance, Cities, Other Areas)
  • Business Category

Ensuring that this information is current will help customers find and review your business on Google. It also helps to avoid misunderstandings that can frustrate a customer. If a problem arises, the customer may not leave you a good review.

2.Verify Your Google Listing To Make It Easy To Leave Reviews

According to Google, verified businesses are twice as likely to be considered reputable by users. Find out how to verify a Google My business listing here.

Verifying your business listing on Google protects your listing from someone who may attempt to pose as a company representative. Verification also allows you to edit detailed business information. Once you add that information, customers are likely to engage with your listing and leave a review.

3.  Get More Reviews on Google By Asking

Hopefully, you are collecting your customers’ email addresses when possible. If not, try to implement that practice in your business to solicit Google reviews. An email address gives you direct contact with them in the future.

You can write the emails on your own, or you can set up an automated service. When you add their email to your list, the service can generate an email asking for a review. You should craft unique, memorable requests to move customers to leave a review.

How to ask for Google Reviews

The goal of sending an email requesting a Review of your services is 3-fold.

  1. Reviews help SEO rankings
  2. Reviews build trust which increases sales 
  3. Reviews offer general feedback that allows you to gain insight from consumer experiences and client interactions with your products and services.

By writing an email requesting consumers of your services review your business, you can benefit in all three of the points above. However, you don’t want to ask just any customer to review your business; you want to focus on the customers who you are confident had a good experience with your company.

Google does not look kindly upon businesses that ask for “good reviews,” particularly when those “good reviews” are given in exchange for some reward.

It is best to not risk your business relationship with Google by appearing to attempt to manipulate reviews.

If you want good reviews, send follow up emails that requesting them to customers who seemed to be pleased with your products or services.

Once you’ve established who you are sending an email to asking for a Review too, you need to decide how to ask for the review.

Next, you will need to create an email that you send to those happy customers you seek reviews from.

We want to make sure the email is positive in tone and personalized. To start, I suggest you use their name at the beginning of the email, pending you have that information on file. Second, let’s make sure the email gets to the point. A long-winded email will get backed out of quickly by people who have better things to do than read a novel about such a simple matter.

How to ask for a Google Review: Customer Email Template

Dear NAME,

First off, I want to thank you for your business. Without great customers like yourself, BUSINESS would be nowhere.

Because we value you as a customer, your feedback regarding our business is extremely important to us. We want to continue providing the best possible service to customers just like you, and the only way we can achieve that is by gaining feedback.

We would genuinely appreciate you leaving us some feedback on Google. To do so, please click on the link below. It’s simple, quick, easy, and painless to do!

[Generated Google Review Link]

Again, thanks so much for being a loyal customer. Your business and your feedback mean a lot to us all here at BUSINESS.

Thanks,

YOUR NAME

Feel free to copy that template above and customize it to fit your business.

The takeaways?

  • Only send Google Review emails to happy customers
  • Make sure your review processes are simple
  • Use a concise personalized email

Side note: You can also A/B test different emails if you have the time. You might find that specific writing variances lead to more people leaving reviews.

4. Great Google Reviews Start With Excellent Service

The customer found you and has taken advantage of your services. If they purchased a product, your team made sure the product fit their needs. They seem to be thrilled with the service you have provided them.

Providing excellent service is key to the review process. Customers are most likely to leave Google reviews when their experiences are at the extremes. If they have bad experiences, they leave negative reviews. If they have excellent experiences, they leave positive reviews. If your service is only satisfactory, they may not be moved to leave any reviews at all.

5. Should You Ask For Reviews on Google?

After doing business with a customer, ask if they’d leave a review. Your industry may dictate the right time to ask. If the product or service provides immediate satisfaction, you may want to ask them before they leave your location.

If your product or service takes longer for them to see results, you may need to wait. Asking for a review too soon may cause them to wait until they assess the product. They may then forget to provide a review. If you ask too late, the excitement may be gone, and they may not leave a review.

Here are some methods to use to ask for Google reviews:

  • Face to face
  • Handouts
  • Posters at Your Location
  • Follow-up Phone Call
  • Mailers
  • Company Website

6. Make it Easy To Leave a Review

Customers may not leave a review because they don’t understand how to do so.

Google has made the process quite simple, but for some, it still may not be intuitive. You can help walk them through the process.

You can create a printout of instructions to provide to them in person or mail to them. Be sure to keep the instructions simple. You may also choose to create a page on your website or write a blog instructing customers on how to leave a review. You can then include a clickable link that goes directly to your GMB review page.

7. Leverage Your Email Signature

You’re probably sending emails to your customers frequently. You can use those emails as a constant solicitation for Google reviews. Include a call to action encouraging them to leave you a review. Include a shortened URL link that takes them directly to your review form.

9. Engage On Social Media

Use your presence on social media to get more reviews.

Engage with customers regularly on social media may also move them to leave a review. If you comment on and like their posts, they may be moved to leave a positive review on Google.

Provide ongoing support and service, so they keep you in mind. Perhaps include a link to your review page in your profile. Many great social media management tools are available.

10. Be Active, Respond To Reviews

If a customer sees that you’re actively replying to Google reviews, they’re more likely to leave one too. Show that you value all reviews, good and bad. When you respond, always be positive and accept full accountability. As a result, your satisfied customers may even feel the need to counteract any negative claims with praise on your behalf.

In the event, you find yourself with fake reviews, read my article on how to delete a google review.

11. Leverage The Power of Repeat Customers

Your customers are probably as busy as you are. If they say they’ll leave a review and don’t, it probably just slipped their minds. Send them a note stating that you appreciate their business and enjoy working with them. Then ask again for the review.

In that situation, many customers will be motivated to leave a review immediately. And they will probably be moved to leave an even better review since they had forgotten. Don’t be shy about reminding customers to leave a review.

Bonus Google Review Generation Tips:

  • Simplify your review processes
  • Reach out to repeat customers
  • Send a postcard requesting a review
  • Make the review process mobile friendly

Don’t overlook review generation

Do not overlook the power of review generation strategy.

Generating reviews can provide long-lasting effects on your ROI.

Receiving positive reviews on Google provides you with credibility in the eyes of potential customers. An initial glance at your review count and star rating can grab their attention. Preparation and strategy are needed for you to generate more positive Google reviews in 2019.

Your efforts will help your customers understand that reviews are essential to your business. Ask for those reviews and remind your customers when they don’t leave them. By implementing these 11 proven tactics, you’re sure to generate more Google reviews in 2019.