In today’s modern world of business, few things are more important for a company’s brand image and reputation than online customer reviews. Google reviews are undoubtedly the most important of them all, as they are very effective at driving people to your business, improving search engine optimization (SEO) and elevating the overall customer experience and trust in your brand.
Did you know that 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, according to a 2017 study? Google reviews have an immediate impact on a consumer’s first impression and judgement of your business, so it’s crucial for every company to recognize this and take necessary steps to improve their online reputation. Someone is much more likely to choose your company if they see that others have had positive experiences with you. It’s also very useful to collect positive reviews for testimonials, as this will have a major influence on how potential customers view your company.
Google reviews are also extremely valuable for SEO ranking. According to Google’s business support site, Google reviews play a factor in local search ranking, meaning that having a high number of reviews and positive ratings can significantly improve your company’s online ranking.
Not only are Google reviews important for reputation and SEO ranking, they also provide businesses with information on where they need to make improvements and provide opportunities to engage directly with customers. Instead of viewing negative Google reviews as something to be ashamed of or hidden, they should be approached as an opportunity to resolve a situation and improve customer relations. Reaching out to respond to a negative review shows other potential customers that you value feedback, care about customer experience and take pride in making sure that issues are addressed.
It’s also extremely important to encourage customers to leave feedback, as every review is another opportunity to grow your business. While the quality of Google reviews is obviously key, it’s important to remember that the quantity of reviews also has a major impact on your company’s brand image and SEO ranking. Take the time to ask existing customers for reviews about their experience, and make sure to respond to every negative review with a courteous and professional reply.
If you want help managing online Google reviews,
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idig Marketing is a full-service digital strategy and development firm that generates meaningful website traffic and drives high value leads to your organization. By optimizing organic content with paid advertising, our custom methodology is adapted to meet your requirements and exceed your objectives.