The Importance of Google Reviews for Your Business:  Insights from Rae of Light SEO

If you are not utilizing a website and a Google Business Page (GBP) for your business in today’s digital world, you are losing out on the potential for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in revenue.  Did you also know that online reviews, specifically on your GBP is rated as one of the most powerful and trusted reviews.  In a study by Schoenmueller et al., (2020) it was found that 93% or more of consumers base their decision to purchase either products or services based on the reviews they read.  It’s also critical to note that more than 90% of the people who read online reviews trust them (Schoenmueller et al., 2020).

Google Reviews Enhance Your Local SEO Rankings

When you’re running a business, you want to make sure that you’re attracting local customers.  Google Reviews are one of the many factors in helping to determine your local search rankings.  In addition to the quantity of reviews, Google weights the quality of reviews.  That means that a business with a high number of five star reviews will appear higher in the search results in the Google Map Pack.  Appearing in one of the three spots of the Google Map Pack is one of the top goals with the GBP as it appears in the Google search results within the top page of Google.

Your Positive Google Reviews Build Trust and Credibility with Google and Your Customers

Authentic customer reviews give potential customers an insight into the experience they would have with your business.  Most people trust online reviews as much or more than a personal recommendation.  When your Google Business Page acts as a living testimonial to the quality of your services, you build credibility with Google which helps boost your rankings.  You will also build trust and credibility within your own community which will help you to gain customers and build revenue.  These things are crucial for the long-term success of your business.

Google Reviews Increase Customer Interactions

Allowing customers to have a space to interact with your business increases customer interactions and touch points.  It allows the customer to provide valuable feedback whether positive or negative to the business so that adjustments can be made accordingly and it also allows the business to respond back to the customer.  This is known as a feedback loop.

Let your GBP help improve your business and bring you more revenue by focusing on the quality of your customer reviews.  Positive customer reviews improves the trust and credibility both with Google and within your community.  It’s important to remember the weight that the public places on the reviews on a business page and how it influences the purchase of goods and services.  As you build your business, it’s important to ensure that your digital bases are covered.

References:

Schoenmueller, V., Netzer, O., & Stahl, F. (2020). The Polarity of Online Reviews: Prevalence, Drivers and Implications. Journal of Marketing Research (JMR), 57(5), 853–877. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/0022243720941832