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In today's digital age, your business's reputation goes far beyond good ol' word-of-mouth. These days, it's all about Google Reviews. These digital thumbs-ups have transformed into new form of online currency, helping potential customers decide whether to spend their money with your business or your competition.
While there are an array of review platforms available, Google Reviews reign supreme, radiating credibility and reliability.
This guide is your golden ticket to mastering the art of building a healthy collection of Google Reviews and unleashing strategies that truly ignite your review generation efforts.
Build a team environment that encourages review generation
Picture this: a united front of enthusiastic team members, each individual invested in amplifying your business's online reputation. This is the true power of a review-oriented work environment.
Let's look at the best ways to cultivate it.
Lead by example
Kickstart the review revolution by becoming the company's Official CRG - Chief Review Gatherer. Start by asking clients for reviews and share your newfound results with your team. This will help build momentum behind your process, and illuminate the path for your team. Asking for reviews can be a little daunting, so leading from the front will shake off any worry and turn your crew into a team of believers!
Training and integration
Make "ask and you shall receive" the guiding mantra. During employee training, weave in review generation wisdom. Teach them how to ask for reviews without feeling uncomfortable and help them transform it into a post-service ritual.
Regular reminders
Build the momentum and keep it alive with gentle nudges during meetings or via your internal communication channels. Let requesting reviews become as natural as a morning cuppa.
Incentivise your team
Transform your pursuit of reviews into a friendly competition. Consider a team incentive where the most-mentioned staff member receives a well-deserved accolade to help build the habit of asking for reviews.
Never underestimate the power of face-to-face requests
Asking for a review from behind the comfort of a keyboard is great, but in-person requests? They're a golden ticket to your customer review wonderland.
The magic of eye contact and genuine smiles creates a bond that's hard to resist. Basically, it's a lot harder to decline a review request when you're face-to-face.
In addition to this, people generally like to keep their word. So, if you’ve asked them to provide some honest feedback and they’ve agreed, there’s a high chance they’ll take the time to respond to your request.
Verbal agreements made in person have a knack for being honoured.
Simplify the review process
Simplicity often becomes the driving force behind people's willingness to leave reviews. When the process of providing feedback is made easy and straightforward, it breaks down the barriers that often discourage participation. Seriously, this is a revolution!
Streamlining the review process can be as easy as a digital wave of a wand. Embrace these tech-savvy tricks:
Send a text message with a link to your Google Reviews
After your interaction, text your customers a direct link to your Google Review page. Talk to us about how the betterbunch platform can automate the text message for you when a job closes.
Send an email with a Google Review link
After your service dazzles and delights, send customers a direct link to your Google Review page. Skip the scavenger hunt, and watch your review count soar. Tools like betterbunch can automate this like clockwork. Take a quick look at how this works.
Consider a QR code with a Google link
No, we don't mean a Covid Health QR code. A QR code in a frame on your reception desk or wall that links to your Google Review page is another great way to encourage feedback.
Link to your Google Reviews in your email signature
Sneak a review link into your email signature. Every message becomes an invitation to share their experience.
Ask for the review ASAP
Based on 100,000+ customer interactions, we have found that a customer is more likely to leave a review if your amazing service is fresh in their mind.
To help you uncover the true value of following up with customers quickly, we've compiled this article that explains just how often you should follow up with your customers.
Cast the net wide: Ask your business network
Don't limit your Google Reviews to just customers; broaden your horizons for a tapestry of reviews from all who interact with your business. The ones that spring to mind are:
- Customers (of course!)
- Suppliers that interact with your business
- Sub-contractors that work alongside your team
- Prospects: You may not have won their business but that's not to say you didn't leave a great impression!
Just remember that you still need to keep within Google's Guidelines. Google reviews from the lads at the darts club might breach their policies.
Offer a 'review-worthy' service
In a world of high expectations, ordinary isn't enough anymore. Organise a brainstorming session with your team and spend some time crafting a point-of-difference that ultimately sparks rave reviews. Here are a few examples to get your creativity flowing:
- A mechanic that has the Sky Sport channel or Netflix available their waiting room
- The barber that offers you an ice-cold beer when you're waiting for your haircut
- A rental manager that leaves a colouring book for the children to occupy them on moving day
Summary
- Foster an atmosphere where your team actively encourage reviews to increase your chances of receiving them.
- Develop skills in person-to-person review requests for more personalised and impactful feedback.
- Use technology like betterbunch to streamline your review gathering process, making it super-convenient for your customers. Request a product demo here.
- Request reviews immediately after a positive experience to capture genuine and enthusiastic feedback.
- Extend review requests to partners and suppliers, broadening your pool of potential reviewers.
- Enhance your services to a level that naturally inspires glowing reviews from satisfied ustomers.
- Leverage Google Reviews as pivotal tool in building a strong and flourishing reputation online. Need some help? Talk to us.
Conclusion
In the competitive word of digital marketing, Google Reviews are the ticket to ongoing success. With these strategies woven into your processes, you'll nurture a culture of review generation, and unleash the true power of Google Reviews.
