Google reviews can be both a blessing and a curse. The ratings influence the user’s decision and decide whether he decides for or against your company. Companies always welcome positive reviews. They, like many other companies, fear the negative reviews. But you are not completely at the mercy of these reviews.
In the following article, we will show you how you can also use these ratings successfully with the right strategy.

Relevance of Google reviews

To make sure they have chosen the right product or company, many customers take a look at customer ratings. They use this source of information to make a purchasing decision. The younger generation in particular uses the ratings to make decisions. While around 66% of 16-29 year olds check reviews before making a purchase, only around 50% of 50-61 year olds do.
The importance of ratings has increased significantly in recent years. The reason for this is that customers google specific information before making a purchase decision. The first results a potential customer comes across when searching are Google My Business listings, commonly known as Google ratings.

Within a few seconds it is then decided whether a customer decides for your product and company or whether he trusts the competition. Wondering if that’s fair?
The answer, it depends. Because if a company already has 1,300 customer reviews but only an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, then customer criticism should not be ignored. This is where the principle of swarm intelligence comes into play. Even if not every negative review is equally justified, the accumulation of negative voices should be taken seriously.
However, very few cases are as clear as the example given. As is well known, small and medium-sized companies have significantly fewer or no ratings at all. We’ll use an example to explain why you shouldn’t play with the idea of “It’s better not to have any ratings than a negative rating”.
Your business has 5 reviews. However, customers did not rate your company better than one star. From a scientific point of view, these ratings are not meaningful. A survey with 5 participants is not representative and therefore does not represent an objective source of information for a purchase decision.
Even if this case is untrustworthy by science, potential customers will keep clicking and looking for a “better company”. That’s why you shouldn’t leave the ratings to chance. Act proactively. Collect reviews, answer negative reviews. This is the only way to prevent potential customers from being put off.

Your Google My Business entry

Wondering if your business is already listed on Google My Business? In principle, you will not automatically land on Google My Business. You must create an entry for your company yourself.
Once your entry has been created, it is time to collect ratings. You should note that reviews don’t come by themselves. Don’t leave anything to chance. Whether justified or not, dissatisfied customers like to reveal their dissatisfaction in a review. Satisfied customers, on the other hand, are happy about the products and the good service without sharing it with the whole world.
The following tips will help you to act proactively and collect reviews.

→ Ask customers for reviews

Actively approach customers and ask them to leave a review. The right time is decisive here. Give the customer time to get a real picture of the product, but don’t let too much time pass by either.
Give the customer a link or QR code to take home, e.g. B. on the invoice with the request to evaluate the purchase. Or use the customer’s email address to ask for a review. Ask for a review multiple times, but don’t be too pushy. This is the only way not only to immortalize your biggest critics in the ratings.

→ Involve friends and acquaintances

All beginnings are difficult, and so are the ratings. Ask family, friends and acquaintances for a review. Does this feel like cheating to you? Family, friends and acquaintances are your supporters and will also be among your first customers. Use their entire network and ask for a Google review.

→ Loyal customers

Your company has already been able to build up a circle of regular customers, so address them directly. Take this opportunity and ask for a Google rating. They will be happy to make you happy and to be able to support you.
In this way, you not only receive a Google rating, but also find out what your customers appreciate about your company.

→ Assistance with the assessment

Many ratings do not fail because of the willingness of the customers to submit a rating, but rather how and where the rating should be carried out. Show your customers the way. You can support your customers with a step-by-step guide.
• Sign in to your Google account.
• Use the search bar to search specifically for our company.
• Click on Google Reviews (blue link).
• After clicking on “Submit a review” you can write a review.

→ QR code

Place a QR code, which leads the customer directly to the possibility of submitting a review, in a conspicuous place in your company. In the right place, the square box can work wonders. Whether as a poster on the wall or next to the cash register, give your customers the opportunity to easily submit a review.
However, the QR code does not only make it easier to submit a review in their business premises. Place the QR code on a wide variety of materials that customers take home. Whether it’s a flyer, business card or invoice, the placement increases the likelihood that a customer will write a review.

→ Rating link

Like the QR code in the offline area, a rating link offers similar options. Include the link, which leads your customers directly to the rating, in your newsletter and on your website.

→ reward

If a customer gives a Google rating for your company, you benefit. But why should a customer make the effort if they don’t get anything out of it? They should reward their customers, for example with a raffle. If you raffle prizes among the participants from time to time, the willingness to submit a Google rating increases. There are no limits to your creativity when it comes to winnings, from a discount on the next purchase or a free extra, everything is possible.

→ Product tester

Give selected customers the opportunity to convince themselves of your product or service free of charge. In return, you will receive a rating. Most customers feel flattered and really care about their opinion. You should point out to your customers that you would appreciate a good rating, but that you can only improve with honest feedback.

The link to the rating

Having the link to their reviews always available is a huge advantage. This is an easy way for you to ask for a review. You can get your link by logging into your Google My Business account. If you click on “Home” in the “Menu”, you can copy the corresponding link under “Get more reviews”. You can now easily paste the URL into emails and text messages.

Buy Google Reviews?

You still have a few reviews and are thinking about buying reviews? It is best not to do so. Because buying reviews is against Google’s policies, and anyone who violates the policies will be penalized by Google. And who would want to mess with the most used search engine.

Deletion of reviews

You have received a negative rating which you feel is unjustified and irrelevant. However, it is not possible to delete such a rating. Only reviews that violate Google’s policies can be removed. All other reviews fall under the freedom of communication. The only option you have is to respond in a professional and factual manner, thereby invalidating the review.