How To Get Google Business Profile Reviews

Introduction.

If you’ve got a business, getting good reviews is essential. Positive reviews don’t just make your company look great; they also boost your visibility, help attract new customers, and increase your chances of ranking higher on Google.

One of the best places to collect reviews is through your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business).

If you’re wondering how to get these reviews and make the most of them, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to get more Google Business Profile reviews.

I’ll cover why they matter, how to ask for them, and even how to respond to them when they come in. Let’s dive in!

Why Google Reviews Matter

Before I jump into the tips and steps, let’s first look at why reviews are so important. You might be asking, “Do they make a difference?” The short answer is: yes, they do.

1. Boost Visibility: Google uses reviews to determine the trustworthiness and quality of your business. The more reviews you get, the more likely your business will show up in search results, especially in the “local pack” (the 3 businesses that appear on the map when you search for something like “restaurants near me”).
2. Build Trust: Consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. In fact, according to a survey by BrightLocal, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses in 2023, and 93% of people say that online reviews influenced their purchasing decisions. That’s huge!
3. Improve Your SEO: Reviews are a factor in Google’s local search rankings. More reviews, particularly positive ones, can help your business rank higher in search results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
4. Feedback Loop: Reviews give you a chance to hear directly from your customers. Good or bad, they help you understand your strengths and where you can improve.

How Do I Get Google Business Profile Reviews?

Now that you know why reviews matter, let’s talk about how to get them. It’s not just about asking your customers to leave a review—it’s about making the process as straightforward as possible. Here are some steps to help you out:

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

First things first—make sure you’ve claimed and set up your Google Business Profile. If you haven’t done that yet, head to Google Business Profile and follow the simple steps to claim your business.

Once that’s done, make sure your profile is complete and fully optimized with your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, and photos. A well-optimized profile will attract more customers and encourage them to leave reviews.

2. Ask for Reviews at the Right Time

Timing is key. You want to ask for reviews when your customers are happiest—right after a positive experience.

If you’re a service-based business, ask for feedback when the job is done. If you’re running a retail store, ask when they’ve made a purchase or had a great shopping experience.

You can also look for cues during the interaction. For instance, if someone says, “This was exactly what I needed!” that’s a great time to ask, “I’m glad you’re happy! Would you mind leaving us a review on Google?”

3. Make It Easy to Leave a Review

The more complicated you make the process, the less likely people are to leave a review. Make it as easy as possible. Here’s how:

• Create a Direct Link: Google gives you a special link to share with customers that takes them directly to your review page. You can create this link in your Google Business Profile dashboard, and then copy and paste it into emails, text messages, or even on social media.
• Share Instructions: While the link helps, some people may still need a little guidance. You could send a quick message or an email that says something like: “We’d love it if you could take a minute to share your thoughts on our Google page. Just click the link below and leave a review!”

4. Use Email Follow-Ups

Another way to ask for reviews is through email. After someone has purchased from you or used your services, send them a thank-you email with a polite request for a review. Make it personal and remind them of their positive experience with your business.

For example: “Hi [Customer’s Name], we hope you’re enjoying [Product/Service Name]! We’d be incredibly grateful if you could share your experience with others by leaving us a review on Google. Your feedback helps us improve and lets others know what to expect.”

5. Leverage Social Media

Your social media followers are often happy to help support your business. If you’ve built a community on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you can ask them to leave a review.

Post a message with the direct link to your Google reviews page, or create a story or post asking people to share their thoughts.

6. Offer Incentives (Carefully)

Incentives like discounts or freebies can encourage customers to leave reviews, but you need to be careful with this approach.

Google’s policies prohibit offering incentives in exchange for positive reviews, so make sure you’re just encouraging feedback without any promises of rewards.

For example, you could offer a discount code to customers who leave a review, but it should not be tied to the rating they give.

7. Respond to Reviews (Good and Bad)

Once you start getting reviews, it’s important to engage with them. Responding to reviews shows that you value your customers’ feedback and care about their experiences.

• Positive Reviews: Thank them for their time and express appreciation for their kind words. Example: “Thank you so much for your kind review, [Customer’s Name]! We’re so glad you had a great experience with us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!”
• Negative Reviews: Not every review will inevitably be five stars. When you get a negative review, respond professionally and try to resolve the issue. This shows potential customers that you’re committed to improving and willing to listen to feedback.

8. Follow Up (Without Being Pushy)

If a customer has agreed to leave a review but hasn’t done so after a little while, it’s okay to send a gentle reminder. Just make sure you’re not being too pushy. A simple nudge is enough to keep the request on their radar.

FAQs

1. How many reviews do I need to rank higher on Google?

There’s no magic number, but generally, businesses with more reviews tend to rank better. Aim for at least 10-20 reviews to get started, but remember that consistency is key. Even if you only have a few reviews, as long as they’re recent and relevant, you’ll be in a good spot.

2. Can I delete bad reviews?

You can’t delete bad reviews, but you can flag reviews that violate Google’s policies (such as spam or offensive content). If a review is genuinely inappropriate, Google may remove it. Otherwise, your best option is to respond thoughtfully and try to resolve the issue.

3. What if I don’t get many reviews?

If you’re struggling to get reviews, make sure you’re actively asking for them and making it easy for customers. Also, consider offering exceptional service and creating an experience that encourages people to share their feedback.

4. Can customers leave reviews without a Google account?

Yes, customers need a Google account to leave a review, but creating one is quick and free. It’s usually not a big barrier for most people.

Conclusion.

Getting Google Business Profile reviews isn’t a one-time task—it’s something you’ll want to keep doing regularly.

It’s not just about asking for feedback, but about creating an experience that leaves your customers wanting to tell the world about it. So, are you ready to start asking for those reviews and improving your online presence?