Questions and Answers

Have you ever wondered what Google reviews are and how they affect your business? Wondered how to ask your customers to leave a review? Wondered how to get more of them in the first place? If you have, you’re not alone! Here are ten of the most common questions we hear about Google reviews, with answers that will help you build better relationships with your customers and get more positive reviews.

1) Does more reviews mean better ranking?

Many website owners believe that if their site has more reviews, it will increase their overall ranking in search results. This is true; however, more reviews aren’t always better. If your site already has hundreds or thousands of reviews, adding more doesn’t do much for you in terms of ranking position. The same logic applies if your site only has one review. As a best practice, only ask customers for feedback when they experience exceptional service or products.

2) What are the top things people ask about Google reviews?

The top things people ask about Google reviews are, How do I get them?, What’s a review worth?, and What should I do if I see negative reviews? We can help you with those, plus 7 other frequently asked questions on Google reviews. Here’s what we found 1. How do I get more Google reviews? It all starts with your business listing on Google My Business: make sure it has accurate information, including photos and contact info; then actively solicit feedback from customers via email or social media. You can also add a link to your website that lets users leave reviews right from your site! Finally, be sure to respond quickly when someone leaves a review—this shows you care about their experience and encourages others to leave one too!

3) Do I have to write fake reviews on my website?

Absolutely not. There are some unscrupulous companies out there who will try and get you to write fake reviews on your own website, and then suggest that more positive reviews will boost your website’s credibility in search results. This is an illegal practice, as is trying to exchange money for fake reviews or offering bribes in exchange for good reviews.

4) Will I get in trouble for posting fake reviews?

The simple answer is no. The world would fall apart if businesses could be held liable for what their customers say about them online. What’s more, lots of businesses—from Amazon to REI—are encouraging their customers to do just that. Why? Because they know that positive word-of-mouth is one of their best sales tools, and will go out of their way to make it happen.

5) Does a high rating lead to more bookings?

Though there’s no guarantee, our data suggests that yes, a high rating will likely lead to more bookings—but only if your business is performing well. This means that you need to ensure your service matches what guests are looking for when they book your listing. If you don’t have consistent 4- and 5-star reviews, then it’s unlikely that a rating alone will help boost your bookings.

6) Should I use positive or negative words in my review?

It depends on your business. For example, if you run a hair salon, then it’s probably more effective to use positive words like smooth and soft in your review. When writing reviews for restaurants, however, using negative words like cold or moldy might help businesses get more attention. It all depends on what your business does and how it can best benefit from a review.

7) Do customers ever complain about bad reviews?

Just a few! Remember that in order for your reviews to appear on your business’ Google My Business listing, they must be from customers who had an experience with your business. If you have a poor experience, it can often lead to negative feedback. However, all feedback is an opportunity—if you apologize and fix any problems quickly, unhappy customers will often update their review if they had a positive experience otherwise. Plus, almost all businesses have at least one or two negative reviews—so don’t fret!

8) Is it better to put all my reviews on one page or split them up into multiple pages?

All things being equal, consumers prefer products that have more reviews. However, it’s not always a good idea to have all your reviews on one page. It depends on how many reviews you have in total and how big your website is.

9) Do we need both organic AND paid reviews?

While it’s true that both organic and paid reviews have their pros and cons, it’s important to recognize that they are different beasts altogether. Paid reviews, as opposed to organic ones, are inserted into a business listing by way of a third-party provider such as Bazaarvoice or Yotpo, who works on behalf of local businesses that want more positive reviews.

10) What makes a great review from our customers?

Helpful is a good word. If your customer feels like they’ve learned something from your business, it makes them feel really good about leaving you that glowing review. Customers also love when you’re honest and genuine, because again—it feels like you actually care about their experience with your business. After all, there are plenty of other options out there for them to choose from! Those feelings will motivate them to return or spread the word about your company online or in person.