How to get more reviews for your business

Having a complete and up-to-date business listing on location-based services is fundamental for the success of your local marketing efforts. Nothing groundbreaking here, but still many businesses don’t understand the importance of it. With the rise of mobile search, many people are using their smartphones to search for local businesses while they're on the go. If your listing is incomplete or outdated, it can be frustrating for customers who are trying to find you, and they may end up going to one of your competitors instead.

Here’s a small checklist for you to make sure your business listing is complete. It should contain all the necessary information such as:

• Company name
• The right category
• Address
• Business hours
• Phone number
• Website
• The right pin on the map
• Booking or delivery links
• Service list, price lists or menu
• Attractive photos and relevant posts

Let us show you two screenshots. One of the screenshots will display a complete business listing that provides customers with all the necessary information, while the other screenshot will show a business listing that is lacking important details and may not be helpful for customers.

But that’s not all. Google and other search engines use information from your business listing to determine where to place your business in local search results. If your listing is accurate and up-to-date, it signals to search engines that your business is legitimate and trustworthy. This can help improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for potential customers to find you online.

Done with checking your listing completeness? Great, as we’ll be moving into how it can actually help you with getting more reviews.

Apart from providing your customers an outstanding service worth sharing and optimizing your online presence, we’ll share 3 practical strategies to actively encourage and obtain valuable feedback from your customers.

Timing is everything here! The best time to ask for a review is right after a customer has had a fantastic experience or given you some glowing feedback. That way, it's fresh in their mind and they're more likely to share their thoughts.

And don't forget to do it with a friendly smile and tone! Let them know why their feedback is so important to your business and how it can help others who are thinking about trying your products or services. Show them that their opinion truly matters and that you'd be super grateful to hear what they have to say.

The simpler and more seamless it is, the higher the chances of getting that valuable feedback to boost your online reputation and attract new customers. You can strategically place QR codes around your business. Stick them on the window, at the checkout counter, and on promotional materials. Customers can simply scan it with their smartphones, which will instantly take them to the review platform where they can share their feedback.

You can always give clear instructions on how to find your business on popular review platforms like Google or Yelp. Just walk them through the steps of searching for your business and then provide easy-to-follow instructions on how to navigate to the review section.

Don't just sit back and watch those reviews roll in! Show your customers that you're all ears by actively engaging with the feedback you receive, because everyone loves feeling valuable and heard.

When customers take the time to leave a positive review, don't forget to express your genuine appreciation. Let them know how much their kind words mean to you and your business. A simple "thank you" can go a long way in building a strong connection and fostering customer loyalty.

When a customer leaves a review, whether it's positive or negative, make it a priority to respond promptly. Show your appreciation by thanking customers for their positive feedback. For negative reviews, address any concerns or issues raised with a calm and professional tone. By being prompt and respectful in your responses, you demonstrate that you value their opinion and are committed to providing top-notch service.

And the best part? Even if your business received a negative review in location-based services, you can turn them to a positive one with techniques we share in our comprehensive guide about review management.

Let’s talk about the Review generation tool real quick. At BrandWizard, we totally get how crucial local marketing is for businesses. We also understand that applying and managing the entire process can be quite time-consuming. That's why we're all about making things automated and super simple for marketers and business owners.

1. Simplified management: It creates separate QR codes for each of your business locations. This way, you'll never get confused and always have a clear picture of what's happening at each location. No more mixing things up!

2. Tailored response options: When a user gives a low score, they are provided with a text input field to leave a comment. This comment is then sent to your company's personal account as a review from the mailing source. Importantly, these low-rated comments are not published on maps or review platforms.

3. Encouraging positive reviews: On the flip side, when a user gives a high score, our tool prompts them to share their positive feedback on a supported digital service. We provide them with a convenient link to the selected location, making it easy for them to post their glowing review.

1. More positive reviews: The tool streamlines the entire processes, making it easy for customers to leave reviews.

2. Increase in customer loyalty: With listings featuring positive reviews, your company inspires trust and generates a stronger desire among potential customers to visit your locations.

3. Significant foot traffic growth: Search engines prioritize displaying listings with high ratings to users. As a result, more potential customers are exposed to your business, leading to a greater influx of visitors.

With our tool, you can effectively manage and harness the power of customer reviews. It streamlines the process, ensures clarity for multiple locations, and empowers you to address feedback appropriately while encouraging positive reviews.

You've now discovered some valuable strategies to generate more reviews for your business.

But we must highlight that the importance of generating more reviews goes beyond mere feedback. It's about building trust, showcasing your commitment to customer satisfaction, and standing out from your competitors. So, don't be afraid to put these strategies into action and watch as your business flourishes with an abundance of positive reviews.

However, if you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to optimize your business's online presence and generate reviews, we're here to help. Get in touch with us today to talk about the challenges you're facing, and we'll work together to find effective solutions.