Why Reviews Matter
When you move to a new area and need to find a good dentist, what do you do? You likely turn to Google Maps to check the reviews. A dental practice with a high number of reviews, especially those with ratings above 4.5 stars, becomes your first choice. This is a common scenario for many people looking for local services.
The Power of Reviews
This leads us to a powerful local business hack: getting more reviews. It’s simple yet highly effective. Here’s how you can do it:
- Ask for a Review Promptly: Within one hour of a satisfied customer leaving your business, while their experience is still fresh in their mind, send a review request.
- Use SMS: Send a text message from a mobile phone. This can be done by a receptionist or any staff member. Here’s an example of what to say:
Hi <Customer Name>, this is John from <Your Business>. Thank you for visiting us today. It would mean the world to us if you could spare a minute to share your thoughts on your recent experience. Here’s the link to our Google Page: <Google page review link> Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you again!
Setting Up for Success
To implement this strategy, you need:
- A local business listed on Google Business (Maps).
- A mobile phone to send text messages.
Best Practices
- Timing: Send the review request as soon as possible after the service.
- Email vs. SMS: While emails can work, text messages are usually more effective.
- Business Cards: If you don’t collect customer information, handing out a business card asking for a review can also work well.
Stay Authentic
It’s crucial to keep your reviews legitimate. Don’t game the system by buying reviews or offering incentives for them. Google’s algorithms can detect these practices, and it could harm your business’s credibility.
By following these tips, you can ensure your business stands out on Google Maps, attracting more customers and building a strong local presence.
Start asking for those reviews and watch your local business grow!
