Want more reviews for your business? Here's how to optimize your Google My Business (GMB) profile:
- Set up and verify your GMB profile
- Make it review-friendly with a killer description and photos
- Ask customers for reviews using a direct link
- Use GMB features like posts and Q&A to engage customers
- Respond to all reviews, good and bad
- Track results using GMB Insights
- Use reviews in your marketing
- Keep your info consistent across all platforms
- Fix common issues like duplicates or wrong info
Why this matters:
- 98% of people read online reviews for local businesses
- Reviews are the #2 ranking factor for local Google searches
- 88% of local mobile searches lead to a call or visit within 24 hours
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Verify profile | Shows legitimacy |
| Ask for reviews | 62% of customers will review if asked |
| Respond to reviews | 97% of people read business responses |
| Keep info current | Boosts local SEO |
Follow these steps to create a GMB profile that attracts reviews and boosts your local search visibility.
Set Up Your Google My Business Profile
Want more reviews? Start with Google My Business (GMB). Here's how:
1. Claim Your Business
Head to google.com/business and log in. Enter your business name. If it's there, claim it. If not, add it.
2. Verify Your Listing
Google offers a few ways to verify:
- Postcard (takes up to 14 days)
- Phone (get a code via call)
- Email (for some businesses)
- Instant (if you're on Google Search Console)
Pick what works for you and follow the steps.
3. Add Your Info
Once verified, fill in the basics:
- Business name (Title Case)
- Address (no P.O. boxes)
- Phone number
- Website URL
- Business category (choose wisely, it affects search)
- Hours
Pro tip: Keep your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) the same everywhere online. Google likes consistency.
2. Make Your Profile Review-Friendly
Want more reviews? Make your Google My Business profile irresistible. Here's how:
2.1. Craft a Killer Business Description
Your description is your spotlight. Keep it snappy:
- What you do
- Who you serve
- Your unique edge
Pro tip: Front-load the good stuff. The first 250 characters are prime real estate.
2.2. Nail Your Business Categories
Categories are your secret weapon. They help Google get you and boost your visibility.
- Pick a spot-on main category
- Add relevant extras
- Get specific ("Pizza Restaurant" beats "Restaurant")
Fun fact: 84% of Business Profile views come from discovery searches. Choose wisely!
2.3. Show, Don't Just Tell
Pictures speak volumes. Google says profiles with photos are 2x more trustworthy.
Snap these:
- Your place (inside and out)
- Your products
- Your team
- Action videos
Quick tip: Keep it fresh. New photos = higher search ranking.
"This page is also a prime place to ask for more reviews. Again, feature a widget/button or a prominently placed link taking visitors to your Google review form." - Michele Potts, Zoe Marketing & Communications' sales director.
3. Get More Customer Reviews
You've set up your profile for reviews. Now let's get more of them.
3.1. Create a Direct Review Link
Make it easy for customers to leave reviews:
- Log into Google Business Profile Manager
- Select your business profile
- Copy the short URL from the "Get more reviews" button
Pro tip: Use Bitly to shorten your link. Something like "bit.ly/reviewOurCafe" works great.
Put this link everywhere:
- Email signatures
- Receipts
- Social media
- Text messages
3.2. Train Your Team
Get your staff on board:
- Practice asking for reviews in team meetings
- Give out cards with the review link
- Set targets and reward staff who hit them
Remember: Keep it natural. Ask after good interactions, not as a sales pitch.
3.3. Time It Right
Ask when the experience is fresh:
| Business | When to Ask |
|---|---|
| Products | 1-2 weeks after purchase |
| Services | Right after service |
| Restaurants | End of meal |
| Hotels | During check-out |
Set up automated emails to ask for reviews a few days after purchase. Make it personal and include your review link.
87% of consumers check reviews before buying. More reviews = more trust.
4. Use Google My Business Features
Google My Business (GMB) has tools to boost your online presence and get more reviews. Here's how:
4.1. Share Good Reviews in Posts
Use GMB posts like mini-ads:
- Pick a great customer review
- Create a post with the review text
- Add an eye-catching image
- Include a CTA link to your site
Pro tip: Mix review posts with other updates daily.
4.2. Answer Q&As
The Q&A section is great for customer engagement:
- Check daily for new questions
- Answer fast and thoroughly
- Add your own FAQs
Watch out: Anyone can answer questions on your listing. Stay on top of it.
4.3. Use Messaging to Talk to Customers
Connect with customers in real-time:
- Turn on messaging in GMB
- Set up auto-replies
- Respond quickly
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Answer within 24 hours | Leave messages hanging |
| Be friendly | Share personal info |
| Give clear, brief info | Ignore feedback |
5. Handle and Respond to Reviews
Managing reviews on Google My Business? It's crucial. Here's how:
5.1. Respond to Good Reviews
Got a positive review? Thank them. It's that simple.
"Thanks, Barbara! We're here if you need anything else."
Keep it short, personal, and friendly. Mention something from their review.
5.2. Handle Bad Reviews Well
Bad reviews happen. Your response? That's what counts. Here's the plan:
1. Breathe first
2. Thank them
3. Apologize
4. Offer a solution
5. Invite direct contact
Example:
"Hi Stacy. Sorry about your sod installation experience. We want to make it right. I'll call and email this week to schedule a team visit."
This shows you care and offers a clear next step.
5.3. Deal with Fake or Bad Reviews
Fake reviews or rule-breakers? Here's what to do:
1. Check if it breaks Google's policies
2. If yes, flag it
3. If no, respond professionally
Fun fact: 45% of consumers are more likely to visit a business that responds to negative reviews. Your response can flip the script.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Respond fast (within 7 days) | Ignore reviews |
| Keep it short and polite | Argue |
| Offer solutions | Make excuses |
| Invite further contact | Share personal info publicly |
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6. Check Your Profile's Results
Want to make your Google My Business profile work harder? Keep an eye on how it's doing.
6.1. Use Google My Business Insights
Google My Business Insights is your secret weapon. It shows you:
- How customers find you
- Where they see you
- What they do after finding you
To access Insights, sign into your Google account, search for your business name, and click 'Performance'.
6.2. Track Review Numbers
Reviews are HUGE. Keep tabs on:
- Total reviews
- Average rating
- New reviews per month
"87% of consumers used Google to evaluate local businesses in 2022, up from 81% in 2021." - BrightLocal's 2023 Local Consumer Review Survey
6.3. Change Plans Based on Data
Use what you learn to get better. For example:
| If You See | Do This |
|---|---|
| Low website clicks | Make your website link more visible |
| Many direction requests | Double-check your address is correct |
| Few reviews | Ask for more reviews |
Pro tip: Download your data regularly. Google My Business Insights only gives you 6 months of data, so grab it often to spot long-term trends.
7. Use Reviews in Marketing
Google My Business reviews are marketing gold. Here's how to use them:
7.1. Show Reviews on Your Website
Put Google reviews on your site. It builds trust. You can:
- Embed a Google reviews widget
- Screenshot top reviews
- Create a testimonials page
Pro tip: Use Google My Business's free marketing kit to turn reviews into visuals.
7.2. Share Reviews on Social Media
Spread the good word:
- Post review screenshots
- Create graphics with review quotes
- Share your Google My Business profile
Why it works:
| Platform | Conversion Rate Increase |
|---|---|
| 5x higher | |
| 8x higher | |
| 40x higher |
7.3. Add Reviews to Emails
Boost your emails with customer feedback:
- Add a "What Our Customers Say" section
- Highlight a "Review of the Week"
- Use review quotes as email signatures
Always get permission before using customer names or details.
"90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business, and 88% trust them as much as personal recommendations."
8. Keep Info the Same Everywhere
Consistency is key for local SEO and customer trust. Here's how to keep your business info the same across the web:
8.1. Nail Your NAP
Your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) should be IDENTICAL everywhere online. This helps Google verify your business and boosts local search rankings.
| Platform | Check These |
|---|---|
| Google My Business | Business name, address, phone |
| Website | Contact page, footer |
| Social Media | About sections |
| Online Directories | Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc. |
Why it matters? 73% of users lose trust in brands with wrong listing data. Plus, consistent NAP is the #5 local pack ranking factor (Moz, 2018).
8.2. Match Everything Else Too
Don't stop at NAP. Make sure these match your website too:
- Business hours
- Services
- Website URL
- Business description
"80% of consumers say they'll lose trust due to inconsistent contact details." - BrightLocal Study
Here's what to do:
- Audit your online presence
- Fix any mismatches
- Set a quarterly reminder to check and update
Pro tip: Use a spreadsheet to track all your listings and last update dates.
9. Fix Common Problems
Running a Google My Business (GMB) profile isn't always easy. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
9.1. Duplicate Listings
Duplicate listings split your reviews and confuse customers. To fix:
- Log into GMB
- Click "Duplicate Locations"
- Select duplicates to remove
- Click "Delete This Listing"
For duplicates you didn't create:
- Find the listing on Google Maps
- Click "Suggest an edit"
- Choose "Close or remove"
- Select "Duplicate of another place"
9.2. Ownership Issues
When multiple people claim a business:
- Request access through GMB
- Explain your relationship to the business
- Specify access type (Management or Ownership)
If denied, appeal or suggest a profile edit.
9.3. Wrong Information
Bad info turns customers away. To fix:
- Search for your business online
- Claim unclaimed listings
- Update key details:
- Contact info
- Location
- Hours
- Social media links
- Industry-specific info
| Info to Check | Where to Update |
|---|---|
| Name, Address, Phone | GMB, Website, Social Media |
| Business Hours | GMB, Website |
| Services/Products | GMB, Website |
| Photos | GMB, Website, Social Media |
Google needs to reverify after address changes. This can take up to 60 days.
If Google updates your location, check for conflicting info on other sites and fix any mismatches.
Conclusion
Want to boost your local business's online presence? Here's how to create a Google My Business profile that gets more reviews:
- Set up and verify your profile
- Optimize for reviews
- Ask for feedback
- Engage with customers
- Respond to all reviews
- Monitor and adjust
- Use reviews in marketing
- Keep info consistent
- Fix issues fast
Did you know? 88% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. That's huge!
Here's a quick look at why some actions matter:
| Action | Why It's Important |
|---|---|
| Verify your profile | Shows you're legit |
| Ask for reviews | 62% of customers will review if asked |
| Respond to reviews | 97% of people read business responses |
| Keep info current | Helps your local SEO |
Follow these steps, and you'll create a Google My Business profile that attracts reviews and helps you stand out in local searches. It's that simple.
FAQs
How do I get more customer reviews on Google?
Want more Google reviews? Here's how to make it happen:
1. Create a Google review link shortcut
Make it super easy for customers to leave reviews. Create a direct link to your Google review page. The easier it is, the more likely people are to do it.
2. Optimize your website
Put review requests all over your site:
- Add a Google reviews link in your footer
- Make a "Reviews" page
- Sprinkle review CTAs throughout
3. Go offline
Don't forget the real world:
- Hand out "leave us a review" cards after purchases
- Train your team to ask for reviews (nicely, of course)
4. Use email
Sneak review requests into your emails:
| Email Type | Where to Put the Request |
|---|---|
| Order confirmation | Right after the "thanks for your order" bit |
| Newsletter | At the bottom |
| Follow-up | In the main message, a few days after purchase |
Remember: The key is to make leaving a review as easy as possible. The more you ask (without being annoying), the more reviews you'll get.
