Customer reviews are the lifeblood of supporting your reputation. According to an IFOP study, 88% of product or service buyers consult ratings before making a decision. On Google, moreover, your company’s reputation is directly influenced by the reviews and ratings that your customers leave on your Google My Business (GMB) listing.
In addition to communicating information to internet users, these reviews have direct consequences on your visibility in local search results. But also on the trust that potential customers have in your business, and, ultimately, on your commercial success.
To learn more and multiply the power of reviews, discover here 23 expert tips to help you get more reviews on Google, thus strengthening your business and your online presence.
Table des matières
1. Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
Prepare the ground! First of all, make sure your Google My Business listing is complete and up-to-date. To do this, provide accurate information about your business – address, phone number, opening hours – and don’t forget to modify them immediately in case of changes, holidays, etc.
Also, be sure to add to your business listing good quality photos to give a good first impression to curious visitors who would like to visit you. This is even more important as these photos compete with customer reviews and their own photos, sometimes of good quality and sometimes… not.
This optimization is also useful for SEO: the more detailed information and relevant keywords a business listing contains, the more chances you’ll have of being visible online.
🔎 Trustt helps dozens of brands and retailers gain notoriety and visibility thanks to the members of their community: in other words, the “super-engaged customers”!
Our team helps you develop and engage your communities en masse, particularly through posting enriched reviews on Google.
Want to know more? Book a Trustt demo 🚀
2. Display the Link to Google Reviews Everywhere Possible
Encourage your customers to leave Google reviews at any time:
- In order confirmations and delivery notification emails (for online sales);
- At each interaction, for example after a request to customer service;
- In your newsletters and promotional mailings;
- In your professional and personal email signature if you’re self-employed;
- On your website, on review or testimonial pages for example;
- By SMS with a direct link
- On a QR code displayed on your business card or a flyer;
- …
3. Create an Exceptional Experience for Your Customers
After soliciting your customers, it’s obviously preferable that the reviews posted are positive. The best way to get positive reviews is to provide an exceptional customer experience.
Ensure that each interaction with your shop, your brand is enjoyable: active listening, answering questions, and care given to the experience with your establishment are determining factors.
However, let’s not forget that customer feedback also serves as relevant improvement points for your teams. A mixed review can be a source of immense inspiration for considering new product formulations, improved services.
Also, it is essential to always respond to reviews: both negative and positive. Whether it’s to thank or to dig into the reason for dissatisfaction, or even to verify if it’s not a fake Google review.
4. Ask for Reviews Directly
After a sale or service, don’t hesitate to ask your satisfied customers to leave a review on Google. Explain that it’s a mark of their trust in you.
- In the case of a physical establishment: the ideal approach is to make this request during the interaction with the customer, after orally asking several open-ended questions about their shopping experience. And of course, explain to them the process for leaving their review on your Google My Business listing.
- In the case of an online site: generally, brands send an email a week later to request a review on the product or service page. Logical, as this gives the consumer time to test it. If you also want Google reviews, avoid asking for these two submissions in the same message or communication medium, respecting the famous “one request at a time!”
In both cases, it’s also possible to send an email a few hours after the purchase (provided you have collected this address), with a direct link to the business listing. This email is useless if it comes too late (a week later, the chances of leaving a review will be lower, as the positive feeling related to the smooth purchase or experience is already a distant memory!)
5. Use QR Codes to Facilitate Reviews
Within your store, office, or restaurant, it can be even simpler to install QR codes on-site, through a poster, flyer, on the receipt or your business card, to allow customers to scan and access the Google review page directly.
6. Encourage Leaving Relevant and Information-Rich Reviews
The more detailed the reviews are about the service, product, with photos – for example, for a hair salon – the higher your ranking in search results will be.
🔎 The distributor Mademoiselle Bio has several physical organic beauty stores, as well as an online e-shop. The implementation of its Ambassador Program via the Trustt solution allows it to develop a community of engaged women who test different products of the brand and provide detailed reviews and share impactful posts on social media.
The result so far? Already more than 4400 customer reviews, all enriched with consumer profiles and reliable information about the products!
The extra tip?
- Establish a list of community members located near the stores using the Trustt tool, and send them a personalized email to invite them to discover a beauty routine on-site, and leave with it;
- Share a friendly moment to introduce them to the Mademoiselle Bio universe, and invite them to scan a QR code to leave a review on the Google business listing!
An even stronger way to strengthen the relationship with consumers, while promoting the company’s reputation and listed products.
👉 To get a demo of the software with one of Trustt’s experts, it’s right here!
7. Leave a Tablet Available at the Checkout to Leave a Review
For example, in a restaurant, when paying, the tablet asks them to leave a review. It’s as simple as that! And, if everything goes well, it generally encourages positive reviews…
8. Be Present on Social Media
Another important part of collecting Google reviews lies in your presence on social media. Besides the benefits for your online visibility and reputation, an active presence on Instagram or TikTok allows you to:
- Promote your positive Google reviews via inspiring carousels;
- Encourage your followers to leave reviews themselves, with stars and comments!
A concrete example of the type of sharing you can do on your Instagram account, which benefits customer reassurance while encouraging Google review submissions.
🔎 Our advice? Add a highlighted story with a direct link to encourage review submissions!
9. Respond to All Reviews, Positive or Negative
If negative criticism is hard to swallow, always be present to respond in a relevant manner. Show that you take all opinions seriously through professional and respectful comments, even when dealing with negative comments. Pay attention to these to understand where the problem lies and don’t hesitate to offer your contact email to resolve it if necessary. However, to avoid fake reviews, consult this article to learn more and take action.
10. Highlight Positive Reviews on Your Website
Of course, when it comes to positive reviews this time, you not only have the right but also the interest to proudly display them on your social networks and on your website to strengthen visitors’ trust:
- Positive reviews serve as social proof. They reassure new visitors about the quality of your products or services. Through favorable feedback, you instill immediate confidence in prospects and encourage them to explore your offer further;
- Positive reviews act as external validation of your company’s credibility. Consumers are more likely to trust third-party reviews rather than direct advertising from the company itself.
- Well-presented positive reviews encourage action. When visitors read enthusiastic feedback, they are more likely to make a purchase, fill out a form, or interact with your business. In this regard, 50 reviews on a product or service are enough to see an average increase in sales of 30%!
- Displaying positive reviews encourages other satisfied customers to share their experiences as well. This creates a snowball effect, as more positive reviews lead to more trust, and ultimately generate more reviews.
- Positive reviews contribute to building a solid online reputation for your brand. They balance out any negative reviews and show your commitment to providing a quality customer experience.
11. Create Links with Other Local Businesses
If you collaborate with other local businesses or external service providers, ask them to recommend you by leaving a review.
In addition to “increasing your number of” reviews, this will make internet users, potential customers, as well as collaborators and possibly recruitment candidates want to join you. This also contributes to your brand image!
12. Integrate Google Maps on Your Website
Make it easy for customers to find your business by integrating a Google Maps on your website. This simple consideration for your customers allows them to find you easily and go back to Google Maps to leave a review.
Integrating Google Maps on your website has several advantages for encouraging customers to leave reviews:
- You simplify the location of your business for your customers, which reduces the effort needed to find you physically, thus increasing the likelihood that they will visit your establishment and leave a review afterwards;
- By simplifying the process to find your business and leave a review via Google Maps, you reduce barriers to interaction. Satisfied customers will find it easier to share their experience, thus increasing the number of positive reviews.
13. Invite to Leave a Review at Every Visit!
One review is good, several and often is better! In other words, encourage your customers at every moment and especially at every visit to your establishment. A successful haircut, a good painting service: each service should benefit from a review as much as possible.
To do this, at the end of each transaction or interaction, make a polite but direct request for a review.
For example, you could phrase this request in this way: “We’re delighted that you enjoyed our services. If you have a few minutes, we would be grateful if you could share your experience on Google. Here’s the QR Code!”
Be careful, don’t reward Google reviews, it’s very frowned upon! But that doesn’t stop you from, for example, offering a coffee or small goodies in-store to encourage your customers to leave a review…
14. Be Grateful
The next time you see the client, thank them for their Google review. Whether positive or negative, explain that it allowed you to review certain things or that you’re pleased to see your efforts are paying off!
This will also be an opportunity to start a discussion and, why not, propose an additional sale. Moreover, this recognition is a way to build customer loyalty.
15. Use Google Ads to Promote Your Reviews
On your Google account, use the various Google Ads extensions, in this case reviews, to highlight them. This way, they will appear at the top of search results. It’s a good way not only to show your reputation but also to encourage additional reviews.
16. Help Your Customers Leave a Review
Remember that not everyone knows how to proceed. Make sure your customers know how to do it and where to log in to find the targeted page. Even better: send them the direct link via email or SMS.
17. Request Reviews at the Right Time
In some stores, feedback can be immediate: a restaurant, a dog groomer, a chocolate shop, a hairdresser, etc. But when the product or service is bought to be used at home, even after advice from a salesperson, you need to allow some time! A few days to a week is the right timeframe.
Requesting reviews at the right time is essential to give your customers time to “evaluate your services or products.” This allows them to get a more precise idea of their usefulness, ease of use, and real impact in their daily lives. This trial period allows them to move past the initial enthusiasm to objectively evaluate the advantages and potential disadvantages of the product. It’s also a sign of respect for customers.
In any case, it’s better to send a review request later to a customer than too early, risking that they forget, or too often, risking that they get tired of it.
18. Organize Events and Contests Online and in Your Premises
Through local events or contests, you can attract attention and encourage participants to leave reviews. Let’s take the example of a forum dedicated to your activity, say, building and housing. In your stand, offer your QR Code for Google reviews again, on your POS materials and brochures. If you provide good advice to those present, they can mention it in their comment.
Organizing workshops represents a fantastic opportunity for businesses involved in fields – non-exhaustive – such as DIY, creative hobbies, or makeup. These events form an ideal occasion to directly engage your customers, likely to positively influence Google reviews.
In any case, through the quality of interactions and the added value of events, you increase the chances of receiving positive and engaging reviews.
🔎 The event feature available on GenericProductName allows our users to launch event campaigns for their top ambassadors and content creators: in other words, enabling the management from A to Z of the evening or workshop organized, with customized recruitment, automatic email sending to confirm attendance and avoid no-shows, and most importantly, benefit from a collection of all social publications released for the occasion (and their performance!).
👉 Example of an Instagram post shared by an ambassador, on the occasion of an evening launched by GenericProductName, from GenericProductName.
Also read: GenericProductName, a Customized Event for a High-Impact Product Launch
19. Implement a Referral Program
Encourage your customers to recommend your business to their friends and family. Although we don’t always think about it when it comes to increasing Google reviews, to get more, you also need more customers.
And for good reason, they d “on’t necessarily want to leave a review every time they visit. Even if” we should encourage this practice as mentioned in tip #13!
20. Monitor Your Online Reputation and Establish a Report
To be even more effective, use online monitoring tools (social media monitoring) to be directly alerted of mentions of your company, so you can quickly respond to comments and Google reviews.
This measurement tool will also provide you with a comprehensive report indicating areas for improvement.
21. Participate in Trade Shows
Participation in trade shows and events represents an essential lever to consolidate your online presence and optimize your Google reviews.
On these occasions, direct engagement with “potential customers” allows you to initiate or cultivate relationships, answering real-time questions about your products.
This personalized interaction creates experiences that generate positive and enriching Google reviews. Again, don’t forget to politely request these reviews and add a QR Code on a clearly visible poster at your stand.
22. Continuously Improve Your Service
In the digital world, continuous improvement is the foundation of success! And you can kill two birds with one stone: use customer feedback to identify areas where you can improve your service.
By resolving recurring issues, you’ll be able to gain positive reviews.
23. Stay Patient and Persevere
Building a solid online reputation through Google reviews takes time! Be patient and persevere in your efforts, it will pay off.
Remember that this approach is an evolving process that takes time to take shape and generate tangible results. The key lies in a strategic and continuous process. In this way, each review will gradually strengthen the credibility and visibility of your business or services.
Reviews develop organically: this means they are both real and that they attract each other in an exponential movement. To achieve this, it is essential to maintain consistency in the quality of your products or services, as well as in your interactions with customers, to encourage positive and authentic feedback.
Even in the face of “obstacles or” potential negative reviews, persevere in your commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement of your offering.
Over time, this consistency in excellence and proactive management of customer feedback will result in an accumulation of positive reviews, thus building a solid foundation for your online reputation. It’s this ongoing investment that will eventually pay off, making your Google reviews a real asset for attracting new customers and consolidating the trust of existing ones.
By following these 23 tips, you can now increase the number of positive Google reviews and strengthen your company’s online reputation!
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