Asking for Google reviews is important for many reasons. Reviews have far more impact than any marketing copy you can imagine. About 65.6% of consumers will look to Google for a review before doing business with you. That's more than Facebook, Yelp, or any other major review platform.
Plus, people trust the reviews they read. One study found that 78% of consumers trust reviews as much as a personal recommendation from a friend or family member.
Of course, one review alone will not attract new customers. Another study found that 73% of online shoppers read at least one to six online reviews before deciding to do business with an unknown company.
Google reviews can do wonders for your business. They can boost your credibility, and your reputation and prove that you are as great as you say you are. Who wouldn't want that?
Plus, collecting reviews on Google My Business can improve your SEO.
Google My Business is a free tool that helps your business promote itself on Google Search and Google Maps. Use Google My Business to monitor what shows up in search results for your business and see how your customers interact with your company on Google.
It's also a place for customers to leave reviews about your services.
Table of Contents
{tocify} $title={Custom Titles}
Importance of Getting Google Reviews
In general, Google reviews are critical to your online presence. Google represents about 57% of all reviews worldwide, across all review platforms. This is largely due to the fact that Google is the largest search engine with an average of 159 million monthly visits in the US.
In addition to the widespread acceptance, Google reviews are great for any business. You can build credibility online, increase your visibility through SEO, and best of all, it's free!
So, what are the benefits of getting Google reviews?
Trust: Present yourself as a local brand that consumers can trust. An unknown business is risky, and modern customers don't like to take risks with their money.
Marketing: Companies with a lot of reviews are more likely to stand out than those with few because that's what customers are looking for when they decide to choose a pest control company for example.
Automated Promotions: The power of Google reviews is that your customers do your marketing for you. There is nothing more powerful than word-of-mouth marketing, and if your current and past customers spread the word, it will be much easier to get new business.
Improvement: Even great reviews can contain valuable information about how you can improve. It's unlikely that most people will call you and tell you directly what they didn't like, but they can reveal it in a review.
Improve your SEO: Did you know that 46% of all Google searches are local? For local searches, Google reviews of premium services are the primary ranking factor. The more reviews you have, the higher you will rank in these searches.
Knowing how to get more google reviews and collect as many as possible can help you grow your local business.
How To Get More Google Reviews Successfully
Before we explain how to get more google reviews, first make sure you set up or claim your (GMB) Google My Business account. Once you've done this, you'll be able to update your business information, share photos regularly to make a great first impression, and respond to reviews as they come in. Then you can start reaching out to your customers to ask for Google reviews. Here are some examples, with templates, to use when asking for a Google review:
1. Send an Email review request
Email is a simple way to reach your customers. When asking for a Google review via email, you can easily outline the steps and provide a direct link for your customers' convenience. Use the Google Review Link Generator to send your customers directly to your page so they can leave a review, without having to go anywhere.
It can be difficult to get your customers' attention and make your way into their inboxes. People receive hundreds of emails a day. So be sure to use email marketing best practices to improve open and click-through rates.
Don't ask everyone to give an indiscriminate Google review. Not only does this practice violate Google's bulk request policy, but it also encourages customers to skim your email. Instead, send a Google review request email on a special occasion, such as when a customer has trusted you for a year or after their first visit or purchase. We'll discuss these strategies in more detail later.
Here's a google review email template you can use to get started:
Hello [customer's first name],
Loyal customers like you are very important to us, and we appreciate your continued support. We were wondering if you could help us today by writing a Google review. It allows other customers, like you, to find us and it really helps our business. Tell us about your last experience or something you like about [company name]. Go directly to our page using this link - leaving a review takes less than a minute! [Insert link here].
Thank you so much,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]
2. Ask after a milestone
If you've reached a particular milestone with your customer, it's the perfect time to ask for a Google review. Here are some milestones that merit a Google review request:
- A customer makes a repeat purchase
- A customer has returned to your establishment twice
- A customer has received a discount
- A customer has used your services for a month (or any other specific period).
- The customer performed another action
These steps are indicators that your customers are fans of your business. They are likely to be willing to leave a Google review if asked.
To get a Google review at this stage, make sure you make the review process as simple as possible for your customer. Use your Google review link to send the customer directly to your listing, so they can submit a review without having to Google your business.
You can add a Google review request to a follow-up email or print the link on a card or receipt after a major purchase. Here's another google review email template to try:
Hello [customer name].
Thank you for being a loyal customer of [company] for [duration]! We really appreciate your support and were wondering if you would be willing to leave us a Google review.
Your review can help others, like you, find the answer they need from [your company]. Go directly to our Google listing using this link - leaving a review takes less than a minute! [Insert link here].
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]
3. Ask after adding new features or location
After new features are implemented or a new location is opened, you probably want to know how your customers like it. At this point, asking for Google reviews is a good way to get feedback from customers and resolve any issues, but also to build awareness of your business.
Before asking for Google reviews, which are public, it's best to ask a small group of customers what they think.
If the initial feedback is generally positive, ask your customers to give feedback on Google. If the feedback is negative, try to solve the customer's problems, then try again. This way, you ask your customers equally for Google reviews and avoid review-gating while maintaining an overall positive response.
Here's a sample email for feature updates:
Hello [client name].
Thank you for your feedback on the new features of [product or business]. Your continued support and feedback are extremely valuable to us.
If you have a moment, we'd love to hear your thoughts on [company] on Google. You can use this link which will take you directly to our Google [insert link] listing.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]
4. Get information from customers
At certain intervals, it's a good idea to check in with customers to see how you're doing. This is particularly true if ongoing relationships are important to your business. To do this, we recommend using a Net Promoter Score℠ (NPS®) survey or quick questionnaire.
An NPS is a great way to get a pulse on what your customers think of your company. This easy customer survey asks the customer how likely they are to recommend your product or service to someone else. Once your customer completes the survey, include a request in the follow-up email to leave a Google review. The following is a template you can use to get started:
Hello [customer's first name],
Thank you for taking our survey! We appreciate it. Your response helps us do better!
While you're here, we were wondering if you'd be willing to share your thoughts with us in a Google review. It takes less than a minute and we'd love to hear from you. Use this link to leave a review [insert link].
Thank you!
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]
5. Ask in person
If you regularly meet with your customers, you may be able to get Google reviews by asking them in person. While it makes more sense to initiate a request when a customer is already online (they can then write a review with a few clicks), it can be more effective to ask in person. During this conversation, it's helpful to have a card with a link to Google Review as a reminder, so your customer can write a review at another time. You can also use your own smartphone or a company tablet so the customer can submit a review immediately.
Try this example:
Customer: [sharing praise for your business]
You: "We are glad to be of service to you. Our goal is to achieve [what the customer is praising you for]. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your feedback."
Client: "No problem. Thanks for being awesome."
You: "Your feedback is important to us and may help other customers, like you, who are looking to use our [product or service]. Could you leave us a quick Google review detailing what you just said? That would be great."
6. Share the Google review link in your store
Even if you regularly meet customers in your store, it's not always possible to have a long conversation. In this case, use your Google review link and a quick request in a place that catches customers' attention.
You can place your link on a bulletin board, chalkboard, menu, poster, or even on coffee mugs (or other items used daily). Many businesses use QR codes to easily share the link on printed materials. Most smartphone camera apps have QR code scanning built-in.
Try these templates to get started:
- Did you enjoy your shopping with us today? Please leave us a review at [insert link/QR code].
- How did we do? Review your experience with us at [insert link/QR code]!
- Don’t keep us a secret - tell your friends and leave a review! [insert link]
7. Ask for a review when the product is delivered
If you sell products online in addition to your store, include a Google review request when you ship your products. It's helpful to also include a Google review request in a follow-up email after delivery.
This dual reminder will increase the likelihood of getting more reviews. You can also include your Google review link at the bottom of customers' receipts or invoices so they can give feedback on their experience when they come in or pay for your services.
Include this message on cardstock inside the package:
Thank you for purchasing [product]! After trying [product], we'd love to hear from you! We invite you to leave us a Google review [insert link or QR code], it only takes a few minutes!
8. Make a request in a newsletter
If you have a large number of active readers of your newsletter, try to get more Google reviews using your newsletter. This can be in print, online, or both. You should dedicate a small but obvious section of the newsletter to asking your audience for Google reviews and give some possible pointers, such as "tell us about your most recent experience" or "tell us your favorite thing about our company."
9. Ask for a review on social media
Businesses with an engaged audience on social media may find success with a sincere request for reviews on their preferred platform. Utilize your Google review link and again, provide prompts so customers know what to say. Don't be afraid to post your request multiple times, but be careful not to overdo it.
Try something like this:
We love hearing about what a great job we do at [your company name] - it really makes us feel good. We've heard a lot of positive things from our customers, and we were hoping you could share your review on Google as well.
Would you like to write us a review? It takes less than a minute! Just click on the link and share what you like about [your company name] or your last visit. Here's the link: [insert link here].
Thanks for being awesome
-Your friends at [name of your company].
10. Use a call to action
A call to action jumps out on websites, advertisements, and landing pages. With the right wording and design, these calls can be extremely effective. Include a call to action at various touch points on your website, such as your homepage, blog, a page containing your menu or products, or other popular pages. This is a great way to indirectly ask for a Google review since you're not contacting the customer in person.
Getting More Google Reviews Summary
With Google being such a popular online search and review tool, it is essential that your business takes advantage of this free tool. Once you have claimed your (GMB) Google my business account and created your Google review link, you are ready to ask for reviews. Just ask your customers to give their Google reviews and you'll be surprised how many of them are willing to vouch for you. By displaying your good reputation, you can use Google and your customers' loyalty to increase your business.
FAQs About How To Get More Google Reviews
Why Google reviews are important?
Google reviews can give businesses a big boost in credibility without spending a dime. The many benefits of Google reviews include ranking in Google for local SEO, leveling the playing field, improving your online reputation, and helping family businesses.
How do I politely ask for a Google review?
The best - and easiest - way to get Google reviews for your business is to ask. The best way to get a response is to send a direct email to your customers with your request.
What should I say when asking for a Google review?
Encourage your customers to leave honest and detailed Google reviews. Explain to customers how their feedback will improve your company. Make it easy for them to evaluate your business. Make sure the customer is satisfied before asking for a review.
Is it tacky to ask for reviews?
It is NOT at all vulgar or rude to ask for a review or recommendation. If you have done a good job, the customer will probably offer to write one for you.
Should you ask for reviews on social media?
As a marketer, social proof such as reviews from customers who organically share their opinion is extremely valuable. It's essential to incorporate review requests into your marketing strategy to ensure you're getting quality reviews from your customers.
Why is it important to ask for reviews?
Approximately 70% of customers read reviews before making a purchase, and the mere presence of reviews can influence their purchasing decisions. One study found that 63% of customers are more likely to make a sale for a product with user reviews.
