How to manage your Google reviews and use them effectively?

Effectively managing your Google reviews is undoubtedly one of the best marketing actions to boost your business performance. Influencing over 80% of purchases, Google ratings play a crucial role in consumer choices.

Many professionals struggle to get their businesses off the ground because they don’t realize the importance of Google reviews. And what a shame! These evaluations are gems that every savvy entrepreneur should learn to leverage.

Managing Google reviews properly requires responding appropriately to customer comments, regardless of their nature. It also involves optimizing the collection of customer reviews and using them for business development.

Planning to become a leader in your sector? At TAP NFC, we provide businesses with the best solutions to collect more customer reviews. In this article, we explain how to turn your Google reviews into a real growth lever for your business. Thanks to this guide, you’ll understand:

  • Why is it important to manage your Google reviews well?
  • How to manage your Google comments effectively?
  • How to properly use Google reviews?
  • How to easily collect maximum customer reviews?

Without further ado, read on to learn how to manage your Google reviews in the best possible way!

Managing customer comments

Why is it important to manage Google reviews well?

Customer reviews serve as a kind of satisfaction attestation that drives consumer purchase decisions. It’s essential to give them an important place in your development strategy by managing them in the best way. Indeed, each passing day, billions of queries are launched by internet users to buy the ideal software, find the best insurance contract, or discover the best osteopath in their region…

Everyone consults the internet to form an opinion, and in the web macrocosm, Trustpilot, Facebook, Tool Advisor reviews, and others influence buyers’ decisions. However, Google reviews hold a special place.

What is the importance of Google reviews?

As the most popular search engine, Google benefits from internet users’ trust thanks to its leadership position. Moreover, when they exist, Google reviews appear at the top of search results. These comments are therefore particularly strategic. Signs of customer engagement, Google reviews help businesses in various ways. Click on the following link to discover how to view your Google reviews!

Google reviews help build a company’s e-reputation

Having Google reviews helps gain internet users’ trust. They come to you to have their own customer experience and can in turn testify to the quality of your products. You thus gradually gain recognition.

Google comments help establish your credibility

Multiplying Google reviews is the best way to establish your credibility. If these are particularly positive comments accompanied by an overall rating of 4 to 5 stars, that’s a good point for you. Google testimonials inspire prospect confidence better than advertising. It’s the social proof that will lead potential customers to take action.

Social proof Google reviews

Improving your business’s positioning in search results

As you receive more comments on your Google Business Profile, Google’s algorithms improve your local SEO. Your business is thus suggested more often in response to internet users’ queries. In a competitive business context, having more reviews and a good rating helps position better in SERPs. You thus gain visibility.

Improving your business performance

Gaining visibility and recognition is a boon for a professional as it allows you to expand your customer base. It’s an opportunity to increase your sales and revenue. You thus improve your business results. In short, Google reviews are decisive today for business success. To benefit from their enormous potential, you obviously need to have a Google My Business listing.

Creating or claiming your Google page: a prerequisite for collecting customer reviews

It’s impossible to collect Google reviews without a Google My Business profile. If you’re seeking local visibility or want to expand your customer base, it’s time to act.

First of all, start by checking if your Google listing doesn’t already exist by typing your business name in the search bar. If it does, claim it to become the owner. This is essential for managing your Google reviews. If not, create your Google Business Profile on support.google.com or via Google Maps. Then validate your business listing to make it active. Note that a well-configured listing allows you to manage your Google customer comments easily.

To maximize the potential of your Google business listing, remember to organize and maintain it well. Following Google’s rules:

  • Add images to make your listing attractive;
  • Make regular posts: present your promotional offers and news to improve your listing’s SEO;
  • Implement an effective strategy for collecting authentic reviews with a Google review cube or Google review card, for example;
  • Pay special attention to managing your Google reviews.
Managing your Google reviews

How to manage Google comments effectively?

There are all kinds of comments that land on a customer review page. While some are benevolent or even complimentary, others are rather demoralizing. Managing Google reviews well primarily means having the appropriate reaction in all cases. It’s an opportunity to project a positive image of your business.

What should you do with received Google reviews?

Many novice entrepreneurs wonder what to do with Google reviews left by customers. Should they ignore them or sort them out? Managing Google customer reviews requires certain efforts.

Read all Google comments

Certainly, an entrepreneur’s life is usually quite busy, but you need to set priorities. Google reviews should be among your priorities. They offer you the opportunity to build an image to convince new customers every day. You absolutely must read and decode them to use them effectively.

But after reading, should I respond to reviews? That’s the recurring question from professionals. Yes, you should respond to all reviews. How? Case by case depending on whether it’s a favorable comment or not, or a fake review. Go to your Google business listing, click on “Reviews” then select the review in question. Click on “Reply” to respond to this comment.

Responding to a positive Google review

Particularly valuable, positive reviews are solid recommendations. You should actually optimize their collection with marketing tools like the Google review stand or Google review keychain sold by TAP NFC. Just as you show gratitude daily when someone is kind to you, thank satisfied customers for their positive comments.

Google Reviews

Managing negative Google customer reviews

A customer is disappointed with your products or services and expresses it? While it’s certainly annoying, remember that nobody’s perfect and take it in stride. Avoid guilty silence, because your online reputation is at stake.

How to respond to a negative Google comment? The best way to manage your Google customer reviews is to avoid an aggressive reaction. Respond to an unfavorable Google review while remaining courteous and professional. Express how sorry you are that the customer wasn’t satisfied and invite them to discuss offline if necessary. In any case, show that their complaint will be taken into account to improve your products or services.

Managing a fake review

Fake Google reviews are often the price of your success. They usually land on your review page when competition or a malicious person, such as a troll, tries to harm your good reputation.

How to handle fake Google reviews in these cases? Should you respond to a fake review? You can respond to a fake comment by clearly explaining that you don’t recognize the author as one of your customers. Argue that they might be confusing you with another business and invite them to have a real experience to form an objective opinion.

However, know that when facing a fake review, the urgency is to obtain the removal of the malicious comment. For this, try to contact the author by email to request the deletion of their publication. Highlight the penalties incurred by authors of defamatory reviews. If there’s no reaction, report the fake review to Google.

Managing malicious reviews

How to report malicious reviews?

Apart from the review’s author, only Google can remove or delete a malicious comment if you report it. To report an inappropriate review, go to your Google listing. Click on the reviews tab then on the malicious review. Click on the three dots in the top right to get the “Flag” option.

A form appears allowing you to provide the reason for your review removal request. Provide all evidence of this review’s inauthenticity. After review, if your request is justified and especially if the flagged publication violates Google’s rules, the review will be removed quickly.

However, if you don’t succeed, the ultimate recourse is to initiate legal proceedings. For this, you need to request the connection IP address of the malicious author from Google. This way you can identify them and obtain compensation if applicable. Beyond responding to Google reviews, managing your Google comments also involves using them effectively.

How to effectively use Google reviews?

What’s the point of having gems in your hands and not using them? The same applies to Google consumer reviews. These are marketing tools to be used wisely on various levels.

Using Google reviews effectively

To improve products and services

There’s nothing better than analyzing Google reviews or social media platforms to understand consumer expectations. Sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction are clearly exposed there. Strengthen your assets to continue attracting customers. Work on your weaknesses to better meet your target’s expectations. And, with each change or innovation, be attentive to online reactions to know if your idea works.

To improve customer relationships

After-sales service or customer service is often the subject of many Google reviews. No worries when it comes to compliments from a customer. In the case of criticism, you need to manage your Google reviews tactfully. Analyze them objectively and take them into account for better management of your customer relationships.

To boost conversion rate

Google reviews are an effective marketing tool, especially if you display a 4 to 5-star rating. They give a positive and attractive image of your business. Don’t hesitate to integrate your customer reviews into your sales funnels or each product page. And, when false evaluations come to tarnish your reputation, multiply the collection of authentic positive reviews to counterbalance their impact.

How to easily collect maximum customer reviews?

Different actions allow maximizing the collection of Google evaluations. As a priority, be proactive in your review solicitation strategy. Always ask customers to leave their review on your professional listing. You can request Google reviews from your customers by email, mail, or SMS. Insert a link to your review page in your correspondence.

Alternatively, one of the best strategies to collect Google reviews is to use NFC or QR Code connected tools. If you’re in contact with your customers, place these accessories in your store or take them with you. These include the Google review plate, the table NFC Google review stand, or the Google review keychain.

Managing customer feedback

Is it difficult to manage Google customer comments?

To summarize, it’s not particularly difficult to manage Google reviews well. It requires being responsive to appropriately respond to all comments, regardless of their content. Managing Google customer comments well also means wisely using compliments and criticism for marketing purposes. This strategy will help you improve your products and services as well as your customer relationship.

Finally, managing Google reviews well involves optimizing the collection of positive customer reviews. For this, you have NFC accessories such as the Google review sticker. Available on TAP NFC, these contactless accessories facilitate customer evaluations via their phone. And why not experiment with these customizable products to boost your review page?

Google Business Profile: How to Create and Manage It?

In an increasingly connected world, having a strong online presence is essential for local businesses. A Google Business Profile represents a powerful tool for improving web visibility and attracting new customers.

Creating a Google Business Profile is relatively simple and can be done from the Google Business Profile website. You’ll need to enter your business information in the form before validating your profile.

If you’re a business owner, this business profile will ensure that your business can be easily found online. To better explain the importance of creating a Google profile, we’ll discuss:

  • The benefits of creating a Google profile for your business
  • What information to include in the profile and how to optimize it
  • Steps to create or claim a Google profile
  • How to remove a business profile

This guide will provide you with the knowledge needed to create and effectively manage your Google Business Profile. So, are you eager to give your business the visibility it deserves and attract more customers? Read on.

Google Business

Why is creating a Google Business Profile important?

A Google My Business profile is essential for local businesses looking to thrive in today’s digital environment. It’s a fundamental step to take to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Let’s look at the reasons that explain the necessity of creating this Google My Business profile.

Increased online visibility

Creating a Google Business Profile plays an essential role in improving the visibility of a business online. It specifically allows a business to appear in local search results and on Google Maps. When an internet user searches on Google for products or services in their area, relevant businesses appear at the top of the results. Having a business profile therefore increases the likelihood that potential customers will discover your business and interact with it.

Improved SEO thanks to Google Business Profile

Creating and optimizing a business profile has an impact on the company’s SEO in search engines. The inclusion of relevant keywords in the title, description, and other sections of your profile largely contributes to this. You’ll help Google understand the nature of your business and present it to internet users based on context.

Customer reviews also play a crucial role in ranking your business profile in search engines. The more positive reviews your business accumulates, the more likely it is to appear at the top of search results.

This is why many businesses invest in a card or NFC Google review plate. These NFC products allow you to quickly and easily collect reviews from your customers. At Ma Plaque NFC, we offer a variety of NFC supports to meet each business’s needs. From cards, plates, and stickers to NFC Google review table stands, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Don’t hesitate to choose the ideal support for your activity from our shop.

Local SEO Google business profile

Simplified business geolocation on Google Maps

The growing popularity of Maps for navigation and search ensures better visibility of the business on the map. Thanks to your “Google business profile”, customers can easily find your business on Google Maps. This offers them a practical and intuitive experience for locating your business.

Google Maps also allows customers to get detailed directions to your business. This feature is particularly useful for customers who are not familiar with your neighborhood.

Developing the business’s online reputation on Google

Developing online reputation is a crucial aspect of managing a business in today’s digital world. Customer evaluations are one of the first elements that consumers examine when searching for a business online. Positive reviews strengthen their confidence in your business and can encourage them to choose your products or services.

But if you don’t have a business profile, you won’t be able to centralize and view your Google reviews. Hence the importance of creating a Google Business Profile to influence consumer perception and encourage customer engagement.

And for collecting reviews, you can trust our NFC supports. We offer mobile supports such as a keychain and fixed supports such as the NFC Google review sticker or the connected Google table stand. Don’t hesitate to visit our store to discover the product that best suits your activity.

Google Business Profile

Access to valuable analytical data

The availability of analytical data is a significant advantage offered by Google for business owners. These statistics provide a detailed overview of customer behavior online. This can include the number of views of your business, actions taken by users, and much more. By understanding how customers interact, you can better understand their preferences, needs, and habits.

This allows you to adjust your marketing strategy accordingly and improve your business performance. Rather than guessing what works best, you can use tangible data to guide your decisions.

Essential information to include in a Google Business Profile

It’s essential to provide potential customers with all the information they need to interact with your business. Here’s a list of key information to include in your Google Business Profile:

    • Business name
    • Your company logo
    • Complete business address (street, city, state, postal code…)
    • Phone number
    • URL to your website
    • Link to your social media
    • Opening/closing hours and any special hours
    • Business category
    • Services offered by the establishment
    • A brief description of your business
    • Photos and videos
    • Customer reviews
Google Profile

Creating a Google Business Profile, where to start?

First, you need to sign in to the Google account you want to link to your business, or create one. Then go to Google’s dedicated website at: https://www.google.com/business

Steps for creating the Google Business Profile

Once you arrive on the business profile page, simply fill in the information about your business. Here are the initial steps to follow to start this process successfully:

    • Click on “Sign in” to access the page dedicated to finding a business.
    • Enter your business name in the field that appears then press “Continue”. You can also choose your business from the suggestions that appear during typing.
    • Choose the business category that best suits your company. Choose your category carefully, as this will help Google best define your target audience.
    • Choose between Yes and No depending on whether your establishment can receive visitors or not.
    • You will then be asked to provide all information about your company, including:
      • The exact company address
      • Phone number
      • Company website, etc.

You will even be invited to place a marker on a map to indicate your location. You will also be asked to specify your opening hours and your coverage area. It’s important to fill in all requested information to give your prospects maximum information about your business.

Google business profile subscription

Validating your Google Business Profile

Once the profile is properly completed, you will be asked to validate the creation of your business. Click “Continue” to proceed with account validation. You can also delay validation by clicking “Validate later” then “Later”. Validation can be done in different ways:

    • By mail
    • Via email
    • By phone call or SMS
    • Or through video recording

The validation time for the Google Business Profile varies depending on the validation method chosen. The validation code can take between 0 and 14 days to receive. Enter the validation code in your Google My Business space to validate your business profile.

Note that customers will only be able to view your Google profile once it has been validated. Therefore, before any interaction with your prospects, make sure your profile is properly validated. While waiting for your profile to be validated, you can modify or improve it at any time. You can add photos or videos of your business or activities.

Viewing my Google Business Profile

To access your Google Business Profile, you no longer need to go to the official Google My Business website. You can access your data from Google Search or Google Maps. This action allows you to view or edit your profile.

To view your business profile from Google Search:

    • Simply enter your company name in the Google search bar or type “my business”.
    • Below the search results, you’ll find various features related to your profile.
    • You’ll have the ability to edit the profile, view reviews, add a photo, etc.

To access your profile from Google Maps, you must first open the application. Then click on your profile and the business profile that appears.

Google business profile

Google hasn’t validated my business profile, what should I do?

If your business validation isn’t confirmed by the first method, you’ll see a “Validate” button appear. In this case, you’ll need to opt for another validation method. Choosing a new verification method cancels the first verification code and makes it invalid.

Despite several attempts, the validation process for your Google Business profile still hasn’t succeeded? In this case, you need to contact Google’s service to find out the reasons for this problem. For this, this Google page will be useful to get help with Google My Business.

Best practices for optimizing your business profile

Optimizing your business profile is essential to improve your online visibility and attract more customers. Here are some tips to follow to effectively optimize your Google Business Profile. Note that these modifications can be made before or after the profile validation process.

Fill out the profile thoroughly and intelligently

To maximize your search engine optimization, fill in all information about your business. The more complete your information is, the easier it will be for your prospects to find and contact you. Your business name should be identical to the one that appears on your various digital platforms (website, social media…). Also pay special attention to the title of your business profile.

Make sure to choose the right categories. You can define a main category as well as different secondary categories. It’s crucial to choose them well, as they play an important role in your SEO.

Regularly update your Google Business Profile

Make sure to regularly update the information on your business profile. This includes your opening hours, contact information, upcoming events, and any other information relevant to your customers. Also mention current promotional offers. This will ensure that your customers always have the most recent information about your business.

Write a detailed description

Your business description is one of the first points users see when viewing your profile. A well-written description offers a clear and concise presentation of what your business offers. It’s an opportunity to stand out from the competition by highlighting your unique values and what sets you apart.

The character count is limited to 750, so be sure not to exceed it. You should also not include URLs or HTML code in the description. However, you can include a CTA to encourage visitors to visit your website or contact you.

Create a Google Business Profile

Use relevant keywords

Using specific and targeted keywords in your Google Business profile is essential for improving its SEO. Keywords help Google’s search engines understand the content of your business profile. Google can then present it to users who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.

When your potential customers perform searches related to your industry, your business has a high chance of appearing. Local keywords, such as your city or neighborhood name, are particularly important. This will help target potential customers in your area.

Integrate keywords not only in your title but also in your business description. The goal is to target keywords with the highest possible search volume. Above all, ensure these keywords reflect your activity. Not sure how to choose your keywords? Check out the following article to choose your SEO keywords well.

Display photos in the business profile

Images attract users’ attention and can influence their decision to contact your business. They give customers a precise idea of what your business looks like before even visiting. Add high-quality photos that showcase your business, your products or services, and your premises.

Integrate customer reviews on the Google profile

Customer reviews have a direct impact on your business profile’s ranking in search engines. Google places great importance on user ratings when determining which profiles to display at the top of search results. Thus, the more positive reviews you have, the more likely your profile is to be well-ranked.

Why ask your customers for Google reviews?

In 2022, Google reaffirmed its position as the number 1 most reliable review host. 87% of consumers use this search engine to evaluate local businesses and companies. 95% of customers trust online reviews before making a purchase.

By asking your customers for reviews, you’ll collect authentic testimonials, increase your visibility, and boost your sales. It’s a powerful marketing strategy that contributes to conversion as well as customer loyalty.

With the rise of the internet and online shopping, Google reviews play a crucial role in consumers’ purchase decisions. Discover why asking for Google reviews from your customers is important for businesses.

Want to understand the impact of Google reviews on your business? You’re in the right place—here’s what this article will explain:

  • Why ask for Google reviews from your customers?
  • How to ask for a Google review? We’ll share all the secrets!

Ready to leverage the potential of Google reviews to boost your brand? With simple techniques and countless tools available, collecting reviews has become a breeze. So why not take advantage of it?

Why asking for Google reviews from your customers is worth it?

Nothing is more persuasive than numbers, so let’s start with some statistics. According to Custplace, gathering positive Google reviews boosts performance by 39% for businesses across all sectors. According to Harvard Business Review, if a store’s average Google rating increases, its revenue increases by 5-9%. So, why ask for Google reviews from your customers? Here are all the reasons:

Google reviews improve your local SEO

Google My Business (now called “Google Business Profile”) is a service dedicated to business listings. When a user searches for a company (such as a tradesperson, restaurant, or institute), the results are geo-targeted. This process is called local SEO. Google displays businesses located in the region, city, or town of the user.

Google Business Profile allows businesses to create a page showcasing their activities. Collecting reviews on your Google My Business page helps your business rank better in search results. Reviews improve your local SEO, allowing you to convert potential buyers who live in your area.

Satisfied customer reviews also strengthen your credibility. A well-completed profile is much more visually appealing. However, don’t just watch your Google reviews; reply to both negative and positive comments to enhance your brand image and boost your profile in results.

Google reviews enhance your online reputation

Why ask for Google reviews from your customers? Because consumers value the opinions of their peers, especially when it comes to a product or service they want to purchase. Consumers prefer to rely on external recommendations rather than commercial messages when evaluating a brand.

Google reviews act as a showcase for your business, helping to reassure potential buyers and encourage them to choose your company. Therefore, a business with many positive reviews will appear more trustworthy and reliable to potential customers.

Having a customer leave a Google review on a product or service impacts your online reputation. It can persuade or dissuade consumers based on whether the reviews are positive or negative. The more positive reviews you have, the better impression you’ll make compared to your competitors.

Google reviews help differentiate you from the competition

Google reviews about a brand reveal its qualities, strengths, and sometimes its weaknesses. They allow internet users to compare businesses in the same sector and/or located in the same area. Customers use these reviews to find a business that will meet their needs.

Why ask for Google reviews from your customers? Because testimonials allow you to stand out in this highly competitive market. Verified reviews can make all the difference between your business and its competitors, no matter how many they are.

Even if your business is relatively new and not very well known, positive feedback can help you attract new prospects and build their trust. According to a recent study by Harvard Business School, consumers trust brands that have a rating of 3.7/5 or higher.

Google reviews boost your sales and revenue

Word of mouth is a very powerful marketing tool. Google reviews work the same way. Recent positive reviews and ratings higher than 4 are among the top 5 conversion factors on Google.

Reviews are seen as recommendations that help recognize a good or bad business. Consumers rely on reviews when making purchasing decisions. Knowing that 87% of French people read reviews before purchasing a product or service, more positive reviews lead to more sales and higher revenue.

Reviews not only help convert potential buyers, but also retain your customers. If your current customers see you accumulating negative reviews, they may seek out a more reliable company to avoid disappointment.

How to ask your customers for Google reviews?

Once a business knows why asking for Google reviews is important, the next question is: what strategy to adopt to get Google reviews? Don’t worry, there are several ways to ask your customers for a review without being intrusive or forceful:

Ask by email

This method ranks number one, ahead of asking in person. 34% of consumers confirm they are willing to leave a review if a brand takes the time to ask them by email. To make the most of this strategy, make sure you have your customers’ correct email addresses.

If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for their email address. Then take the time to write a compelling and respectful email requesting them to leave a review about their purchase experience. To convince them, briefly explain that Google reviews matter for your business and can help potential customers. Don’t forget to include the Google review link to your Google Business Profile.

Reasons to ask for Google reviews

Ask in person

33% of buyers say they are willing to leave a review if asked in person. Apparently, they love spontaneity. If you have a store or shop, ask your customers directly to leave a review or rating. A respectful request from an employee will be enough to convince them to add a review.

Giovanni
Support Giovanni