There are innumerable benefits of Google, primarily for the new millennial who expect the information at their fingertips. Google Reviews is one of them, especially when it comes to businesses. Just as the importance of digital marketing has increased tenfold, especially since last year, so has the essence of Online Reviews that directly impact a business ‘Reputation’.

Research has shown that a company risks losing up to 22 percent of its potential customers with ‘JUST ONE NEGATIVE REVIEW’ of the product or the service, and you can risk losing 59 percent of your business with JUST THREE NEGATIVE REVIEW. That is the impact of user reviews on the company.

What Is A Google Review?

It is easy, and no app is required. Simply go online and write reviews or thoughts about the product or service. It is that simple. The best part about Google reviews are directly from the horse’s mouth, and hence, people can make informed decisions based on these reviews.Here is a list of Google Reviews’ unparalleled advantages –

• Horse’s Mouth – since the reviews are users’ first-hand experience of a product or a service, they are the new influencers. People are assured that these reviews will give them accurate feedback on the product as they are made after the use of the product or service. It is about building trust, and reviews help to build confidence about the product or service. With online shopping becoming the preferred medium of shopping, more people rely on Google reviews, as they act as a personal reference, making reviews very powerful.
• Reputation – Remember that Google reviews can build a company’s reputation as well can seriously damage the reputation. As seen above, just one negative review and a company can lose 22 percent of its potential clients. No matter how big or small the brand is, Google reviews can help a company earn a good reputation for good products and services and make the company a leader in its category.
• Bad reviews can increase conversion rates – The product is of superior quality or the services are exceptional, but still, an average or negative review should be taken positively as any other review. Re-gaining the loyalty and confidence of a permanently exiting client depends upon the response given to the negative review. Turning a bad review into an opportunity to improve any faults should be a company’s motto.

For example – The shoes received by the customer were of the wrong size and color. The customer review – “I have not only received the wrong size but also the wrong color. I have written a mail to the company ten days back and am still awaiting a reply. I wanted to wear this pair of shoes for a wedding”.

The quality and swiftness of the reply can convert this negative review into a final appreciation from the client. It not only re-gains the customer confidence but also proves the company’s professional and ethical behaviour towards its customers.

Reply – “We apologize for the extreme inconvenience caused to you. We are looking into the matter of delayed response and will take strict action for the same. Meanwhile, we are sending across the correct size and color of shoes as requested by you by Express courier to ensure it reaches you within 24 hours. Hope that meets with your approval, and you can wear them for the occasion.”

Immediate feedback or response shows you care about the customer and are willing to go the extra mile of the express courier to meet the customer’s demands.

A mixture of good and bad reviews is healthy for your reputation and keeps you on the toes for your product or service quality.

• Increased Online Exposure – Remember, the focus should not be on just the use of traditional SEO activities like keyword search and blogging, as these might not be enough. A Google Business review allows your business to show on ‘Map Pack’. The ‘Map Pack’ is a group of companies near the location where the customer or user is searching and displays the Name, Link, Phone Number, total number of reviews, and an average rating of your business. Reviews can thrust your business to the top of the group.
• Some Review is better than No Review – a study shows that a brand with just five reviews has a 200 percent chance of being bought than a brand with no reviews. Good or bad, if your brand has no reviews, you can be skipped over a brand with even mixed reviews. That’s how powerful a review or comment is.
• Click-Through Rates – it is imperative that the customer must click on your link when it shows up on a search engine. All your SEO strategies might fail if customers did not click on your link. Definitely, a good collection of positive reviews will increase the click-through rates of your site as Google ratings are shown next to the business name.
• Level Playing Field – The SEO picks up businesses who take advantage of the Google Reviews as SEO picks up the positive reviews, and ranks these companies higher. Thanks to these reviews, it’s a level playing field as local players can compete against big giants and come out as a winner.

Generate Reviews:

Remember buying a review never works –

1. If you have not earned it, you cannot own it.
2. Customers can look right through your charade and pick up fake reviews, which can lead to a bad reputation.

Stick with asking customers to review your product or service by sending feedback review mails and your review page, as these will garner reviews.

Not Just Google:

Although Google reviews has one of the maximum users, make sure that you do not discount other online platforms where you can collect reviews –
§ Facebook
§ Trip advisor
§ Yelp (For US products or services)
§ Amazon
§ Your website where people can note reviews
You will be surprised as to customers checking reviews on these websites before buying it from the local shop or an eCommerce website.
That’s how powerful Online Reviews are. Remember, customers can post reviews about the product or site for ‘FREE’.

Brand Success –

If you want Brand success – focus on these crucial areas

Brand Trust + Website Reviews + Feedback = Brand Success!!