Traction 004

Traction #004: How to leverage Google reviews

May 1, 2023

Hi Friend,

Today is part 4 of our four-part Google Business series. See the rest of the series.

What to Know

Google reviews can help you get in front of new customers.
As I’ve shared over the last few weeks, having a complete and accurate Google Business profile can help dramatically improve your position on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). That’s a big deal, because the higher your search rank, the more people may discover you.

One powerful way to boost your search rank is to have plenty of recent positive reviews.

What to Do

First, do not purchase reviews or even incentivize your customers to leave reviews. Both Google and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are getting increasingly cranky about deceptive practices. 

However, you can ask for reviews.

  1. Build asking for reviews into your process. Include a review request on your invoices, email signatures, receipts, and so on. Send a thank you email at the end of every client engagement, and include your custom review link.
  2. Respond to positive reviews. If a customer offered you a kind word in person, you would respond, right? Do the same thing online. Go beyond a quick “thank you” and express genuine gratitude. (Bonus points for using keywords in your response!)
  3. Respond to negative reviews, too. No one loves receiving negative reviews. But they’re redeemable! Research shows that most consumers will give a company a second shot if the business responds to a complaint. Respond quickly, apologize, and offer an offline conversation to reach a resolution.

Master Your Marketing

You shouldn’t have to play marketing whack-a-mole to grow your business!

Master Your Marketing is an interactive, online course that takes the mystery of out marketing—so you can make money instead of wasting it.

  • Learn how to talk about what you offer so your ideal customers pay attention.
  • Find out why your website isn’t working—and how to finally fix it. 
  • Know how to establish yourself as the go-to expert in your industry.
  • Discover the secret to turning prospects into paying customers.
    (It’s not TikTok.)

The next Master Your Marketing cohort begins June 6, and registration closes on Friday, June 2. I hope to see you in the class! Ready to enroll? 

 

In this with you!

Dr. James Barnes, PhD
Associate Extension Professor & StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guide
Mississippi State University

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For many business owners, marketing feels like flushing money down the drain. At Brick-to-Clicks, we provide free and low-cost marketing resources that help business owners grow their audience and sales.