Elevate Your Search Engine Ranking Through Google Review Responses

In order for a business to do well digitally, it is imperative that they work hard to boost their visibility in search results. When it comes to search results, those who are not at the very top will never obtain the results they desire for their websites – there’s a reason that SEO’s commonly joke that “the best place to hide a dead body is page 2” of the Google search results. Statistics show that less than 1% of all users click on a result on the second page; if you are not in the top 10, you are basically invisible. For this reason, business owners must work hard on their SEO efforts and constantly be on the lookout for new ways to increase the strength and visibility of their websites.

One thing that many do not realize is the fact that there is a simple way to make a huge impact, especially in regard to their local SEO efforts – responding to Google reviews. The fact that nearly 90% of people who browse the1 Web trust reviews they read on the site should be enough for you to take this seriously. Since the audience you are trying to appeal to is likely to read through this information before deciding whether or not to do business with you, leaving responses to user feedback is essential to showing potential clients that your business is attentive and responsive to its customers. With the help of the digital marketing team at EverConvert, our local SEO department can show you how best to go about responding to both good and bad reviews while also alerting you that a new review has been posted, providing you the opportunity to respond in a timely manner. Some of our guidelines for responding to reviews are discussed below.

The Importance Of User Reviews And Offering A Response

You may be asking yourself whether this information actually means anything when it comes to rankings; it does. According to the support page at Google My Business, it is important for companies to respond to reviews because it lets current and potential customers know that you value everyone who does business with you. Whether the review being left is positive or negative, leaving a response can be extremely beneficial.

Think of it this way. If someone is interested in the products and/or services you offer, and they see you thanking someone for saying something positive, they know that customer appreciation is an integral component of your business model. As far as negative feedback, if you take the time to address bad reviews and offer a solution, it will show prospective clients that customer satisfaction and retention are valued by your company. These are factors that people value greatly when trying to decide whether or not to patronize a business.

Advice For Responding To Positive Feedback

There are a few things that you need to consider when you are leaving a response to a positive review. While it may seem as simple as offering a mere “Thank You!”, this is not enough. Yes, you want to let them know that you are grateful for all they have said about the business, but it is essential for you to offer a bit more of a personalized touch, with a response that is specific to their review.

To do this, try your best to respond directly to something that was mentioned in the review. Not all reviewers discuss specific information about their interaction with your business, but most people who take the time to leave a review do. For instance, if you own a restaurant and someone praises a particular item they ordered, mention the specific dish when you are thanking them, possibly pointing out a specific ingredient or process that makes your dish better than the competition (which affords you an advertising opportunity that is visible to anyone who reads your reviews). This will let them know that you actually took the time to read what they said and the response is sincere, not something that you offer to every person.

Always give them a reason to come again. Try mentioning a new offering or let them know that you will be looking forward to their next visit. This will motivate them to consider your business the next time they are in the market for the types of products/services you offer.

How To Respond To Negative Reviews

It can be tempting to lash out when you receive not-so-great feedback on Google, especially if you feel it is untrue or unwarranted, but you MUST refrain from doing so. Responding aggressively can permanently mar your business reputation, making it look like you don’t care what your customers think, so tread lightly. Even though this may pain you, a thank you should be offered for the feedback. While you are not pleased with what is being said, you have to let them know that you are appreciative that they are taking the time to offer feedback and patronized your business in the first place.

Avoid blaming the customer, even if you believe that the bad experience was their fault. Remain calm and never resort to arguing. The moment that you forget about your professionalism and start doing these things, you can look forward to your business reputation doing a complete nosedive.

The last thing you need to be sure to do is to offer them a way to contact you so the problem can be resolved. Try your best to stay concise. Rambling on about the specifics of their review, or contesting their truthfulness, is never a wise decision.

Contact EverConvert for a Free SEO Analysis!

Keep in mind that it may take some time for you to see a noticeable difference in your search ranking, but you should continue nonetheless. At EverConvert, we have tested this strategy, not only for our clients’ reviews but also on our own reviews, responding to around half of the existing reviews that did not currently have a response. In over 75% of the tests, clients saw an uptick in both their map and organic rankings, normally within as little as two weeks.

The more feedback you respond to, the more likely it is you will see an increase in visitors and the possibility of increased sales numbers. Knowing that Google has hopped on board and is letting businesses know that this is something that has great value should be more than enough reason for you to take the time to read through all of the reviews you are left and make it a point to say something useful in return. For help with all of your local SEO needs, contact the experts at EverConvert today! You will receive a risk-free SEO analysis, showing what you are doing right, and where we can help you improve. No matter the struggles your business may be facing in its digital marketing efforts, always remember our motto:

Sales Cures All!

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