How To Increase Google Reviews – Top 25 Ways!

There are over 2.5 million active businesses in Australia as of 2023. Unfortunately, not every company has what it takes to thrive in its industry. As you might expect, Google reviews are one of the most important metrics to keep an eye on as a business owner. However, not everybody understands how to increase Google reviews.

The good news is that it is much easier than it seems to get more positive reviews for your business.

Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about some of the key ways you can get more Google reviews online.

1. Ask Your Customers for Reviews in Person

One of the most effective ways to get more Google reviews is to ask your customers for them in person. When you’re face-to-face with a customer, it’s much easier for them to feel comfortable giving you an honest review.

You can also take this opportunity to thank them for their business and let them know that their feedback is important to you.

2. Include a Request for Reviews in Your Email Signature or Email Campaigns

Your email signature, as well as any emails you send out to customers or potential customers, can be an effective way to remind people that you’d appreciate a review. This way, you can make sure the message is seen by everyone who interacts with your business.

You can also include a simple link to your Google review page in your signature or email campaigns so people don’t have to waste time searching for it.

3. Use Social Media Platforms Like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn

Social media is a great way to connect with your customers and spread the word about your business.

People are more likely to leave reviews if they feel like their opinion is heard and appreciated, so it’s important to interact with them on social media platforms.

Post content that encourages people to leave a review on Google or share their experiences.

4. Offer Incentives or Discounts for Customers Who Leave Reviews

Incentives are a great way to encourage customers to leave reviews.

You can offer discounts or special offers for those who take the time to give you an honest review on Google. This will not only increase your number of reviews but also make people feel appreciated and valued.

5. Provide a Direct Link to Your Google My Business Page

Make sure to provide a direct link to your Google My Business page on your website. This will make it easier for customers to find and leave reviews without having to search for the page. This is especially important if you have a large customer base that might not be familiar with leaving reviews online.

6. Add a Review Request Link or Button on Your Website

Making it as easy as possible for customers to leave reviews is key.

To make it even easier, you can add a review request link or button on your website so that visitors can quickly find and click the link to leave a review. Keep this in mind when moving forward, as it is highly effective.

7. Train Your Staff to Ask for Reviews and Provide Them With Scripts to Use

Your staff should be trained to ask customers for reviews, as this can make a big difference. Provide them with scripts that they can use in order to ensure consistent messages and increase the likelihood of getting positive reviews.

Make sure they know how important it is to thank each customer who leaves a review.

8. Display Signs or Stickers in Your Store or Office

If you have a physical location, then make sure to display signs or stickers that remind customers to leave reviews.

This will help people remember that your business is online and encourage them to take the time to leave reviews. It’s a great way to increase visibility and create awareness about your Google review page.

9. Use Review Generation Tools Like Podium, Reputation.com, or Birdeye

There are many review generation tools that can help you automate the process of asking customers for reviews. These tools usually provide an automated platform for sending out emails and reminders to customers, as well as tracking customer feedback.

You can also track metrics such as response rate or ratings over time to see how effective your efforts have been.

10. Follow up With Customers After a Sale or Service

Make sure to follow up with customers after a sale or service. This is especially important when it comes to Google reviews as customers may not always think to leave one on their own.

Send out emails or messages asking them for feedback and letting them know how much you appreciate them taking the time to review your business.

11. Offer Excellent Customer Service

To receive positive reviews on Google, it’s important to provide excellent customer service. Make sure your staff is friendly and helpful and that they take the time to listen to customers’ needs and address any issues they may have.

Doing this will create a positive impression of your business and make customers more likely to leave positive feedback.

12. Respond to All Reviews, Both Positive and Negative

Interestingly, responding to reviews can have a positive effect on the number of reviews your business receives. It shows that you care about customer feedback and value each review, regardless of whether it is positive or negative.

So make sure to take the time to respond to every review, thank customers for taking the time to leave their feedback, and address any concerns they may have.

13. Use Email Marketing Campaigns

Email marketing campaigns can be an effective way to let customers know about your Google review page and encourage them to leave reviews.

You can use email newsletters or automated emails that are sent after a purchase or service, for example. Email campaigns are great because they allow you to personalize the message and target specific customers.

14. Add a Review Request Message to Your Invoices or Receipts

Adding a review request message to your invoices or receipts is another great way of encouraging customers to leave reviews. This helps ensure that customers are reminded about your Google review page and have easy access to it when they need it.

Make sure the message is clear and concise so that customers know exactly what you want them to do.

15. Run a Social Media Contest or Giveaway

Social media contests or giveaways can be a great way to encourage customers to leave reviews.

For example, you could offer a discount code or special promotion in exchange for leaving a review on your Google page. This is an effective way of getting people’s attention and motivating them to take the time to leave a review.

16. Link to Your Google My Business Page in Your Email Signature

Adding a link to your Google My Business page in your email signature can be another easy way of prompting customers to leave reviews.

Every time you send an email, potential customers will see the link and have easy access to your Google review page. This is especially helpful for those who may not have heard about your business before.

17. Include a Review Request Message in Your Newsletter or Email Campaigns

This is a solid method to encourage customers to leave reviews. Include a direct link to your Google My Business page and make sure the message is clear and concise so that customers know exactly what you want them to do.

This will help ensure that more customers are aware of your Google review page.

18. Reach Out to Your Email Subscribers and Ask For Reviews

Email subscribers are the perfect audience for review-seeking campaigns.

You can send out an email blast to your list, asking them to leave a review on your Google My Business page. Include a direct link and make sure the message is personalized so customers feel valued.

19. Use Video Testimonials to Encourage Reviews from Your Customers

Ask a few of your satisfied customers to record short videos talking about their experience with your business. You can then share the videos on social media or in email campaigns and include a link to your Google review page.

This is a great way to show potential customers that you value customer feedback, and it can be an effective way of getting more reviews.

20. Use Feedback and Survey Tools Like SurveyMonkey or Typeform

Feedback and survey tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform can be used to ask your customers for reviews. They also allow you to measure customer satisfaction and get feedback on what your customers think about your business.

You can also include a link to your Google My Business page in the survey, making it easy for customers to leave reviews.

21. Use Customer Service Chatbots or Online Support

You can program your chatbot or customer service software to automatically send out review request messages after certain interactions, such as purchase confirmations or customer inquiries. This is an effective way of reminding customers about your Google review page.

It will go a long way when used correctly, so don’t overlook it.

22. Reach Out to Influencers or Industry Experts

This is an often-overlooked way to get more reviews.

Reach out to influencers or industry experts and ask them to write a review. It can be a great source of traffic for your page that can help your company grow in the future.

23. Leverage Customer Loyalty Programs

As you might assume, customer loyalty programs can be a great way of getting more reviews. Offer incentives such as discounts or special promotions in exchange for reviews, and make sure to remind customers of the offer every now and then.

Loyalty programs can substantially increase customer engagement as long as you provide something of value.

24. Use SMS or Text Messaging

Text messaging can be a great way of reaching out to customers, particularly those who may not have access to emails. You can send out text reminders to customers asking them to leave a review for your brand.

This is especially helpful for local businesses as it has the potential to reach more customers in their vicinity.

25. Partner with Complementary Businesses

Finally, you can reach out to other businesses that may be complementary to yours and partner with them. Be sure to take into account the interests of both parties when forming this kind of partnership. This will help you get the most out of the relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most business owners have an abundance of questions regarding Google reviews. The answers to many of these are fairly straightforward.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important.

Is It Possible to Fake Google Reviews?

No, it is not possible to fake Google reviews. Google has strict policies and algorithms in place to detect any suspicious or fraudulent activity.

If a business attempts to submit fake reviews, its account could be suspended or deleted by Google. Additionally, customers can flag suspicious reviews and Google will take action if necessary.

Businesses should focus on genuine strategies for increasing reviews rather than attempting to use fake reviews. In the long run, fake reviews will do more harm than good.

Can I Purchase Google Reviews?

No, businesses should never purchase Google reviews. This is a violation of Google’s terms of service and could result in penalties for the business.

Customers can often spot suspicious activity, such as reviews that are written using unnatural language or include promotional phrases that seem out of place.

Do Google Reviews Hurt Business?

Under most circumstances, negative Google reviews should not hurt a business. However, if a business has an abundance of negative reviews or the reviews contain false or misleading information, this could certainly hurt the business’s reputation and bottom line.

However, reputable companies that provide high-quality products and services don’t need to worry about this. More often than not, there will be such a large number of positive reviews that the errant negative feedback won’t make much of an impact.

Is It Illegal to Spam Google Reviews?

While it is not necessarily illegal to spam Google reviews, it is definitely against the platform’s terms of service.

If a business is found to be submitting or encouraging fake reviews, its account could be suspended or deleted by Google. Additionally, customers can flag suspicious activity and Google will take action if necessary.

As such, businesses should focus their efforts on genuine strategies for increasing reviews. This will help them build up a steady stream of positive reviews that customers can trust.

Is There Any Way to Remove Negative Google Reviews?

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to remove negative Google reviews. However, businesses should respond to all feedback politely and professionally and offer an appropriate solution to the customer’s problem. One of the worst things you can do for your brand is to get defensive or aggressive with commenters who leave negative feedback.

This is true even if the negative customer feedback is unwarranted.

How Long Do Google Reviews Stay Posted?

Google reviews typically stay posted indefinitely, unless they are found to violate Google’s policies or the customer removes them. The good news is that this means positive reviews will always be there to help establish a solid reputation for your brand.

It also means that you should strive to minimize the number of negative reviews that you receive.

How Do I See My Google Reviews?

You can view your Google reviews by signing into your Google My Business account. From the dashboard, you will be able to see all of the reviews that have been posted about your business and respond to them as needed. You can also view analytics such as average ratings, review history, and more.

This can help you keep track of how customers are responding to your business and make any changes necessary to improve customer satisfaction.

You Shouldn’t Overlook How to Increase Google Reviews

Understanding how to increase Google reviews is something that you simply cannot overlook. This can be one of the greatest ways you can create a better relationship with your customers.

From here, you can catapult your business to new heights and reach metrics like never before. Looking for more information about what we can do? Reach out to us today to see how we can help.