Can you achieve business success and attract a ton of customers by ignoring online visibility and reviews of your business on Google Maps? Probably yes, provided you’re a monopoly or an industry giant with a huge marketing and advertising budget. Otherwise, what internet users write on your company’s search engine profile serves as a guide for potential customers.
In this article, we’ll show you why a Google business listing is so important, explain how reviews about your business influence consumer behavior, show you what you can do to improve your brand reputation on Google Maps, and explain what steps you can take to remove harmful and unfair reviews about your business online. ReviewsProvider offer comprehensive and reliable Google reviews for sale. We work diligently to ensure they have a real impact on your ranking in Google maps.
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Why Google Maps are reviews so important?
Imagine you’re passing through an unfamiliar city and looking for a restaurant with good local food. Or you need to pop into the neighborhood hairdresser but don’t know which of the four local establishments is the best. Or you’re looking for a cafe serving vegan desserts. What do you do? If you don’t have any tried and true recommendations, you ask Google Maps for help.
And you know what? There’s nothing strange about it.
- 59% of internet users read reviews on Google before purchasing
- Over 90% of potential customers check reviews to see if a company is trustworthy
- Only 9 out of 100 users will trust a company that is rated 1-2 stars
- 88% trust Google listing reviews as much as personal recommendations
Any company hoping to be noticed by potential customers in the digital space must have not only an SEO-optimized website (e.g., a blog full of interesting content related to your business will increase the website’s visibility in search results) and an updated company profile in the Google search engine, but that’s not all.
In addition to visibility itself, what users read about the company is important.
Advantages of having a company listing on Google Maps
A company’s presence on Google Maps plays a key role in shaping its online reputation.
A coherent business listing (which should include your business address, website, contact information, and information about your services) influences consumer decisions and you’re ranking in local SEO. Remember those questions about the coffee shop in your area? The better your ranking, the greater your chance of getting noticed.
Monitoring and managing the reviews you receive is essential to your online success.
Brand trust and company verification
Customers, as the numbers above demonstrate, often rely on reviews before making purchasing decisions. High ratings and a predominance of satisfied customers help build trust and credibility in a company. A preponderance of negative reviews, on the other hand, can serve as a warning – don’t buy, there’s something seriously wrong with the brand’s offerings or customer service.
Local SEO, the impact on company positioning
Google search results are based on many variables. The Silicon Valley tech giant’s algorithms, when ranking local businesses, consider the number and quality of reviews. Positive reviews are a significant ranking factor and can improve a company’s visibility, increasing its likelihood of appearing in local search results. The more positive reviews you have in Google Maps, the greater the chance you’ll appear above your competitors.
Greater user engagement
The ability to post reviews allows customers to quickly connect with your brand. Responding to reviews on the Google dashboard, both positive and negative, demonstrates that your company values customer feedback and is actively engaged in resolving their concerns. If you want things to be different for you, are planning for growth, and are striving to build a solid foundation for your business, buy Google reviews Singapore. This engagement can improve the overall user experience and foster positive brand relationships with current and potential customers.
Making better decisions
Internet user reviews influence not only the purchasing decisions of future customers. The information they contain is equally important for the company itself. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your business allows you to implement appropriate improvements and make better business decisions. For example, if future users complain about the inability to pay by card at a supplier (in a restaurant business), its worth implementing such a solution.
How can you further increase your chances of obtaining feedback?
Redirecting positive vibes and feedback from satisfied customers is one of the most effective methods for improving your company’s image on Google Maps, but not the only one. Depending on your business profile, it’s worth testing a few other practices to determine which one works best for your specific situation.
Discount or small gift
There’s nothing wrong with rewarding a satisfied customer for their time. At the checkout (both physical and virtual), provide a QR code that leads to your Google account, requesting a review. As a reward for writing a few words, you can offer a discount on future purchases.
Email/SMS reminder
It’s a common practice, but it requires some caution. Pushing a customer to send an email every few days reminding them that they have “one last chance to review their purchase” will likely discourage more people from making further purchases than encourage them to leave a positive review. Use it wisely, for example, by combining ONE review request with a small gift.
Telephone contact
For a global clothing brand with thousands of transactions, such a solution won’t be practical, or even possible. However, for a company with a group of dozens or even dozens of large clients, asking during a phone call about leaving a review on Google Maps might prove to be a hit. It all depends on the relationship with the client.
Take care of your Google account status
Maintaining your business listing is important for SEO and builds a positive first impression of your brand for potential customers. Ensure your profile includes accurate contact information, business hours, directions, and high-quality photos. Regularly update your information, including any changes to your business operations or offers. Seeing the activity of other users and the concern of the listing owner may make other customers more willing to leave a review.
Respond to existing reviews
Positive reviews are a nice ego boost, but they’re not the ones you should focus on. Negative reviews are inevitable, and how a brand handles them impacts its reputation.
Proactive and professional responses to negative feedback demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction. Regularly monitor reviews and respond promptly to any negative feedback. Apologize for any issues, offer solutions or compensation, and demonstrate your willingness to resolve the issues. A proactive approach to customer concerns can turn a negative experience into a positive one.
