Leveraging Google My Business and Reviews
June 22, 2023
Categories:
Digital Marketing
One of the most effective ways to enhance your agency’s visibility on Google is by optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) page. An updated listing with at least 10 reviews can help your business appear in search results, positively impact your online reputation, and help attract new clients.
Customers are 42% more likely to request driving directions to a business if its Business Profile has photos, and 35% more likely to click through to its website, according to Google. Furthermore, a BrightLocal study showed that businesses with more than 100 photos get 520% more calls, 2,717% more direction requests, and 1,065% more website clicks than the average business.
In this blog post, we will explore four key practices for keeping your GMB page optimized and maximizing the power of customer reviews.
1) Create and Optimize Your GMB Page.
If you haven’t already done so, it’s easy to create a GMB page for your agency. This free tool from Google provides a platform to showcase your business to potential clients. When setting up your GMB page, make sure all your business information is up to date including your address, business hours, website links, and phone number.
2) Showcase your agency with photos.
Adding photos to your GMB listing can help you showcase your agency’s personality. Consider sharing photos of your agency’s office, team members, and community events. High-quality and visually appealing photos can give customers a great first impression and insight into who you are.
3) Ask for reviews.
To grow the number of reviews on your GMB page, you will need to proactively ask customers to leave a review. Here are a few strategies to get you started:
- After a phone call or meeting: When you have a positive interaction with a client, take the opportunity to request a review. Satisfied customers are often willing to share their experiences.
- Utilize business cards and email signatures: Include a link to your GMB page on your business cards and add it to your email signature. This allows customers to easily access your page and leave a review.
- Follow-up emails: After binding a policy, send a friendly follow-up email thanking the customer for their business and kindly request them to leave a review if they were satisfied with your services.
- Incentivize your sales team: Encourage your sales team to ask for reviews by incentivizing them. Offer rewards or recognition for team members who consistently gather positive feedback.
- In-store signage: If you have a physical location, display signage asking customers to leave a review on your GMB page. Make the process as simple as possible by providing clear instructions or a QR code.
- Website and social channels: Promote your GMB page on your agency’s website and across your social media channels. Directly ask your followers to share their experiences and leave reviews
4) Engage with reviews.
Regardless of whether the feedback is positive or negative, always respond to customer reviews. Engaging with reviews shows that you value your customers’ opinions and are committed to providing excellent service. Responding to positive reviews with gratitude further strengthens your agency’s reputation, while addressing negative reviews in a professional manner demonstrates your willingness to resolve issues and improve customer satisfaction.
Optimizing your GMB page and actively managing customer reviews can significantly enhance your agency’s visibility on Google. By following these four practices, you can strengthen your online presence, attract more potential clients, and establish a positive reputation in your industry.
