GOOGLE REVIEWS: 10 REASONS WHY THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT TO A LOCAL BUSINESS
Local businesses are finally waking up to the importance of reviews, and are starting to get involved in online reviews. Google Reviews are a great way to boost your online presence, increase sales, and make sure your customers are always happy. Google Reviews are still the No. 1 factor in deciding where you will visit to buy something local, according to a recent survey. A whopping 93 percent of respondents said reviews influence their decision-making when looking for local businesses. In addition, 83 percent said they were influenced by ratings on Google maps. And 69 percent of consumers trust reviews from friends and family. So, it’s no surprise that Google reviews are such an important factor in the customer experience for local businesses. Here are 10 reasons why Google reviews matter so much for local business: A Google Review is basically the online equivalent of walking into a local business, asking for service and getting the owner’s name. This is a great way to learn more about a local business and it’s something many people do when planning a visit to a place they have never been before. Google Reviews Show Off Your Business Google reviews are among the most important tools to help small businesses succeed. However, many local businesses don’t realize just how valuable they are and tend to underestimate the power they hold. Increase Conversions Google reviews have been shown to influence purchase decisions for local businesses. The most impactful review comes from someone who had a positive experience with a business and recommends it to others. This means that if Google reviews aren’t performing up to par for your local business, you should focus on your reviews. If you have reviews on your business page, make sure that they are accurate and filled out in a timely manner. Attract Clients To attract customers, you must create a good impression for both your business and potential customers. The best way to do that is to review your business online. When people see a positive review about a local business on Google, they are more likely to trust that business. They are also more likely to take action, such as calling a business or visiting its website, if the review is positive. Build Trust You may have heard the old saying that “word of mouth is still the best form of advertising.” There’s some truth to this, but a study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that the most influential factor in determining whether someone decides to visit a business isn’t word-of-mouth at all. Instead, customers’ decisions are influenced by how well a business presents itself on Google. In other words, Google reviews are more important than word-of-mouth. That’s why a strong local SEO strategy is crucial to building your reputation in your community and getting reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Establish Credibility If a business owner wants to attract potential customers, they must establish credibility. Google reviews play a vital role in establishing a local business’ credibility, according to studies. Google reviews provide objective, unbiased opinions from actual people who use the products and services that businesses offer. These reviews are valuable because they allow customers to get recommendations from other visitors. They are a trusted source of information, and Google reviews allow potential customers to get a sense of what a business is like before they contact them. Increase Referrals Google reviews are a goldmine for local businesses that want to get more reviews and better rankings on search engines. To get more positive reviews, businesses need to offer an excellent services to reviewers. Google reviews sites are also great tools for encouraging word of mouth. Customers are usually happy to share their experiences with friends, family, and other customers. Increase Traffic With the rise of mobile traffic, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your website can be found by searchers across all devices, including mobile devices. While Google may be one of the most trusted websites for local businesses, they aren’t the only ones who can provide search engine optimization (SEO) assistance. The competition to drive traffic to your site is fierce, so it’s important to be sure that you’re providing the best experience possible to your customers. Google reviews are an important part of that process. Earn Credibility Google reviews are a big deal for local businesses. According to a 2021 survey of over 3,000 local business owners in the United States, more than 90 percent of them said that the review system is crucial to their success. In fact, 72 percent of local businesses are concerned about negative reviews. Google reviews are the #1 source of information for local consumers, and reviews are the most important factor when deciding whether or not to visit a local business. And if people aren’t convinced by their own reviews, even the positive ones, then they aren’t likely to visit the store or restaurant. Become a Brand Reviews are the heart of Google. And if you don’t have any reviews, you aren’t going to show up. In fact, the first result that shows up on Google for any keyword search is a listing for the business itself. This is why it’s essential that you have positive, trustworthy reviews on your Google My Business page. Not only will you show up on the first page, but it will show off the image you’ve spent time making. Boost Local SEO Google reviews can be one of the most powerful ways to boost local SEO. In fact, some studies say that more than 30% of the ranking power of a local business comes from reviews. A Google review can be a good thing. Positive reviews can help you achieve higher organic rankings. Google uses online reviews when considering the placement of its local organic rankings. If you’re in the business of selling products, it’s important to understand how customers judge your product based on their experience. You’ll learn how to measure, monitor, and act on
