Google Business Reviews = Google Places Reviews
If you are the owner of a local business then reviews from your current and past customers can have a very positive effect on your online presence. On the other hand, if not monitored properly and a proactive approach in obtaining Google Places reviews is not put into place, a negative review could be detrimental.
The internet makes it extremely easy for someone to post a review of a business quickly. We all know that many times you only hear from the customers who are unhappy and this is one example of that which could really hurt you if the proper steps are not taken. When someone is looking for a type of business generally the first thing they turn to these days is the internet. If you were looking for a dentist for example in Bloomington, Illinois one might type in ‘dentist Bloomington IL’. The first search results that come up in the search engine are usually the ‘Google Places’ results – formerly known as Google Maps. The reviews left there by customers can affect which dentist you choose. As a small business owner, you can have an effect how potential customers decide on you over your competition through Google Places.
How Google Places Reviews Can Help Your Business
As you look at the listings you will see to the right of each one it may show a number with ‘Google Reviews’ after it and a star rating. If that particular business does not have any Google Places reviews then it may just say ‘Place page’ to the right of the listing. As you look at these listings, which would you be more inclined to click on or call – the one with 5 gold stars and some great reviews or the ones with no reviews or worse yet, one or two reviews that are horrible? Which do you think your next potential customer would click on?
As I mentioned before, one negative review can make your business look really bad if not handled properly. If there are no other Google Places reviews of your business except for the negative one what do you think your chances would be as a business owner for someone to want to call you or click on your listing versus a competitor that may show numerous positive reviews? I think the answer to these questions is pretty obvious. It is ever important to start putting a system in place today to obtain Google Places reviews for your business from your customers. Not only do ‘real’ reviews from your customers (NEVER create false reviews!) help someone looking for your type of business decide who to call but they also are figured into the ranking of your Google Places business listing.
Keep in mind that you will probably never have all positive reviews once you put a system in place to encourage Google Places reviews for your business. Actually it can be a good thing to have a couple negative or not completely positive reviews as it seems more natural. It also gives you as a business owner or employee the opportunity to correct what a negative reviewer might mention. You can sign into your Google Places business listing and respond to any review left and it there you can voice your response publicly if you so wish. This is a perfect opportunity to be involved and let people know who may come across these business reviews that even though their visit may have not been perfect you are a business that cares and takes measures to ensure customer satisfaction.
So make sure your business makes a positive impression when found online – you only get one chance. Put a system into place this week to encourage customers and clients to visit your Google Places business listing and write a review. Of course you will need to be found when people look for your type of business and having a high ranking in the first place. Visit our Google Places Ranking Tips for some great ideas to get started.
Originally published on September 27, 2011, updated to the most recent best practices on October 25, 2013
