Andrea AbbondanzaThe success of any business in the modern digital age depends on having a good online presence, and restaurants are no different, especially with how competitive the restaurant industry is.
One of the most important ways to boost your restaurant’s visibility is by getting more Google reviews. Positive reviews can significantly impact a potential customer’s decision to visit your restaurant, while negative reviews can harm your reputation.
That’s why you need to pay attention to this aspect.
In this article, we will explore various strategies for how to get more Google reviews, as well as how to handle negative reviews on your Google reviews page.
We hope that by the end of this article, you will better understand how to increase your restaurant’s visibility and attract more customers through Google reviews.
What are Google business reviews?
Google business reviews are a feature provided by Google that allows customers to leave feedback about a business on Google Maps and Google Search. These reviews are often referred to simply as “Google reviews.”
Google business reviews are an essential aspect of a business’s online presence because they are prominently displayed on Google Maps and in Google search results. Potential customers often consult online reviews, including Google reviews, before deciding where to spend their money.
Business owners can claim their business on Google and manage their reviews by creating a Google Business Profile listing. They can also respond to reviews left by customers, which can help improve their online reputation.
Top benefits of more Google business reviews in 2023
There are many benefits to having more Google business reviews for local businesses. One of the main advantages is the ability to boost visibility and draw in more customers.
When a business has more reviews on Google, it is more likely to appear higher in search results and on Google Maps. This can lead to more people discovering the business and potentially visiting it.
Another benefit of having more Google business reviews is that they can help establish credibility and trust.
When potential customers see that a business has positive reviews, they are more likely to trust that the restaurant is reputable and provides good service. This is especially important for local restaurants, which may not have a large customer base or as much brand recognition as larger restaurants.
In summary, having more Google business reviews can greatly benefit a restaurant by increasing visibility, attracting more customers, and establishing credibility and trust.
Utilizing tools like Google Business Profile can help owners manage and respond to these reviews effectively and eventually master the art of reputation management for restaurants.
How to Get More Google Reviews in 2023
We’ve already talked about what Google reviews are and how they can bring significant benefits to our restaurants. Now, let’s talk about ways to get more Google reviews, so your restaurant will gain more trust from potential customers.
Incorporate a QR code into your business and display it prominently
Incorporating a QR code into your business and prominently displaying it can be an easy way to encourage customers to leave reviews on Google.
One of the benefits of using QR codes in restaurants that are readily available is that customers can simply scan it with their smartphone and be directed to your Google review page. This eliminates the need for them to search for your business on Google, making it more convenient for them to leave a review.
The QR code can also remind customers to submit reviews following their visit by being prominently displayed. This might help your restaurant receive more reviews, raising its visibility in Google search results.
Include a link to your Google reviews in your email signature
Another simple way to encourage consumers to post reviews and boost the number of reviews for your business is to provide a link to your Google reviews in your email signature. To do this, you’ll need to create a review link and paste it into your signature. This review link can be used by anyone who receives emails from you to leave a review on Google.
This method gives customers a quick and straightforward option to access your Google review page by including a “review link” in your email signature. They don’t need to look up your restaurant on Google; they can click the link and submit a review.
More reviews for your business could follow from this, increasing its prominence in Google search results.
Utilize social media to solicit reviews from customers
Utilizing social media is another excellent way to get more Google reviews from customers. You can post about your business and include links to your review sites, such as Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, or other restaurant review sites in Australia or other regions. This will make it easier for customers to see where to leave reviews and increase the chance that they do.
You can also use social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to directly solicit reviews from customers who have positively interacted with you.
Consider writing posts that thank them for their patronage and include a direct link to your review sites. Making this straightforward process increases the likelihood of getting more reviews.
Send follow-up emails to customers with updates, offers, and requests for reviews
After a customer makes an order at your restaurant, you can send them a follow-up email thanking them for their visit and providing them with relevant updates or special offers.
You can also include a polite request for them to leave a review on Google. This serves as a reminder to leave a review and shows them that their feedback is valued.
You can also use automated email campaigns or newsletters triggered based on a customer’s purchase or service history. This allows you to send emails automatically to customers who have recently made orders, giving them an easy way to leave a review. You can customize these emails with your message and link directly to your review sites.
By following up with your customers with this email marketing for restaurants, you can increase the number of reviews for your business on Google.
Utilize the QR code directly from your phone
Instead of displaying a physical QR code in your business, you can use a direct link to your Google review page that can be scanned directly from your phone. This can save you the cost and trouble of printing and displaying physical QR codes.
To create a direct link, you can go to your Google Business Profile account and find the link to your review page. Once you have the link, you can create a QR code using a free online QR code generator. Then, you can share the QR code with customers by displaying it on your website, sending it in an email, or even showing it on your phone.
When a customer scans the QR code, it will take them directly to your Google review page, where they can leave a review. This eliminates the need for them to search for your business on Google, making it more convenient for them to leave a review.
Include a link to your Google reviews on invoices and receipts
Including a link to your Google reviews on invoices and receipts can be an easy way to get more Google reviews. When customers are finished with their purchase, they can be directed to leave a review about your business immediately.
Customers will be more likely to leave a review by adding this link to email receipts or digital bills, which will make reaching the review page simpler.
Making it easier for customers to find the review page increases the chance they will take the time to write honest and thoughtful comments about their experience.
Develop review cards to hand out to customers
Developing review cards to hand out to customers is a simple and effective way to increase the number of reviews for your business.
Review cards are small, physical cards that include a link or QR code to your Google review page and instructions on leaving a review. You can also have your business name and address to make it easier for customers to find your Google review page.
To develop review cards, you can either design them yourself or hire a designer to create a professional-looking card. Once you have the review cards, you can hand them out to customers after a purchase or service or include them in a product’s packaging.
Customers can easily and conveniently post reviews for your restaurant without having to search for them on Google by giving them a direct link to your Google review page.
Add a Google review widget to your website
Adding a Google review widget to your website is an easy way to get more reviews. A Google review widget is a simple snippet of code you can embed on your website, allowing customers to leave positive and negative reviews directly from your site.
The widget will automatically display any reviews left on your Google Business profile and allow customers to add feedback.
You can also customize the embedded reviews by making changes directly in the code, such as displaying only positive or negative reviews or changing the size and color of the widget. With a few lines of code, you can easily embed Google Reviews on your website and start gathering valuable customer feedback.
Collaborate with suppliers and exchange reviews
Collaborating with suppliers and exchanging reviews can help a restaurant get more Google reviews by building positive relationships with suppliers and encouraging them to leave reviews on the restaurant’s Google page.
Additionally, by regularly exchanging reviews with suppliers, the restaurant can stay informed about any issues or concerns that may need to be addressed in order to improve its service and overall customer experience.
This can lead to more satisfied customers, who, in turn, may be more likely to leave positive reviews on Google.
Building a strong relationship with suppliers and regularly exchanging feedback can help a restaurant increase its reputation and attract more customers, leading to more Google reviews.
Shorten your Google review link for convenience
Consider sharing a shortened version of your review link to gather more customer reviews on Google. This can save space in text messages or emails while allowing customers to access your review page easily.
To create a concise link, use a URL shortening service such as Bitly or TinyURL. Simply copy and paste your full Google review link into the service, generating a shorter one that directs customers straight to your page.
You can also customize the new address to make it more memorable. Using a shortened URL can make it even more convenient for customers to leave feedback on your Google review page.
Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative
Responding to all positive and negative reviews will encourage other customers to leave reviews for your restaurant too.
By showing that you value your customers’ feedback, both positive and negative reviews, you can create a sense of trust and engagement with them.
Responding to positive reviews shows your appreciation for their kind words, which can encourage them to leave more thoughts in the future. Responding to negative reviews shows that you take customer complaints seriously and are willing to address any issues they may have had. This can help to turn a negative experience into a positive one for the customer.
Utilize the free Google Marketing Kit to increase reviews
Using the free Google Marketing Kit can make your restaurant stand out in search results with a simple approach. You can use the kit’s various tools and resources for advertising your restaurant, such as personalized advertising, Google Business Profile entries, and a review widget.
The review widget lets customers leave reviews directly from your website or email campaigns. All you need to do is add the provided code snippet to your site’s HTML editor and gather valuable customer feedback.
The review widget’s design and functionality can also be changed, for example, by displaying just positive or negative reviews. You may improve the number of reviews your restaurant receives and make it simpler for consumers to give insightful comments with only a few lines of code.
Consider investing in a review management tool to streamline the process
Streamline your customer feedback process and boost your online presence on Google by investing in a review management tool.
These tools make it easy to manage and respond to reviews across multiple platforms and track your business performance over time. Some even offer automated review request campaigns, such as email or SMS campaigns, to request reviews from satisfied customers.
Investing in a review management tool can efficiently increase the number of reviews for your business and improve your online reputation on Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is getting more Google reviews important?
Getting more Google reviews is important because it can help your business stand out from the competition and boost its visibility on the Google Reviews page. By displaying positive customer feedback, potential customers are more likely to trust your brand and become loyal.
More reviews can also lead to increased search engine rankings and direct website traffic. These benefits result in better business opportunities, so it’s no surprise that many businesses actively pursue getting more reviews.
How do Google reviews work as a ranking factor?
Google reviews can significantly affect how local restaurants are ranked in search results. Positive Google reviews can help boost a business’s visibility and credibility in the eyes of both Google and potential customers.
When customers leave positive reviews for your restaurant on Google, it signals to Google that your restaurant is reputable and valuable to its customers. This, in turn, can improve the business’ search rankings, making it more likely to appear at the top of search results when people search for related products or services.
Therefore having a good amount of positive google reviews can greatly benefit restaurant businesses in terms of search engine ranking.
Can you delete Google reviews?
Yes, it is possible to delete Google reviews, but it is not always easy.
Google’s policy does not allow business owners to delete reviews simply because they are harmful. However, reviews can be removed if they violate Google’s guidelines, such as if they contain hate speech, personal information, or spam.
Business owners can flag a review for removal by clicking on the three dots on the review and selecting “flag as inappropriate.” Google will then review the review and take action accordingly.
Conclusion
Obtaining more Google reviews can greatly benefit your restaurant’s visibility and success. Reviews not only provide valuable feedback to potential customers, but they also improve search engine rankings, drive website traffic, and increase click-through rates.
Implementing effective marketing strategies for restaurants to generate more reviews will increase visibility and long-term success for your restaurant. The investment of time and effort in this process will pay off in the long run.
