How to Get More Google Reviews? Ways + Examples

With the digital landscape growing rapidly, Google Reviews have become integral to any successful business.

Google reviews can significantly influence your business’s visibility and credibility, ultimately impacting customer decisions.

Read on and learn how to get more Google reviews and some actionable tips, practical advice, and expert insights on using them.

Google Reviews Explained

What are Google reviews, and why do they matter?

Google review search provides results that are usually a combination of the proximity to your location and a local business’s ratings on Google. And that rating is actually aggregated by the reviews people submit on Google Maps for a particular location. 

As we can both agree, people do read Google reviews. But why?

Google reviews provide valuable information about а business’s operations and customers’ actual experiences who had a real interaction with that business. For the truth’s sake, Google reviews matter mostly because customers discover local businesses there, making Google the most important review platform for local businesses.

How do Google reviews work?

Successful digital marketing tactics drive Google’s local SEO algorithm. 

Therefore, it is highly likely that businesses with a high number of reviews will show up first in local searches for a particular brand keyword.

And as mentioned above, this combination of the average rating, the number of reviews, and the proximity to the user will most probably define the position of a listing in Google maps.

So, having a well-optimized Google My Business profile and Google reviews helps your local ranking on both Search and Maps.

FYI: You can embed Google reviews widget automatically with EmbedReviews platform. Start a free trial and display your Google reviews now. 

Where do Google reviews appear?

Your Google reviews show on your Google My Business profile. From there, Google’s ranking system can pick them up and display them in:

1. Google Local search results

When someone searches for a navigational keyword, for example: “best pizza near me,” if you are in the “pizza” business and the potential customer is near your location, Google will show your business listing.

2. Google Maps

Further, if someone searches for your business name, they can be shown in the Google Maps section of the Google Search results or directly in the Google Maps app.

What are the benefits of Google Reviews?

As Google is the most used and trusted search engine, people also consider Google reviews as reliable information to make conclusions about a specific product or a service. 

Undoubtedly, Google reviews are becoming very important for today’s business owners. They represent a vital part of their business’s digital marketing strategy and online presence. One of the most significant benefits of Google reviews is that they boost local search rankings. 

Therefore, knowing how to set up and optimize your Google My Business listing for better local SEO exposure in the SERPs is critical.

Here are some quick, helpful tips:

• Choose a nice profile and cover photo
• Choose the relevant business category
• Enter relevant business information like description, phone number, location, website URL, working hours, etc.

Also, note that messaging or chatting with potential customers is a great Google My Business feature that is enabled for some countries. 

You have to enter your phone number and enable the Click-to-Message this option.

Having all of these features in mind, here are the main benefits of Google reviews for your business:

• Improving brand trust
• Increasing online exposure
• Driving organic traffic from local SEO
• Providing essential feedback about your company
• Improving conversions on landing pages
• Increasing sales

These benefits are great for any business type, but especially for small businesses that want to get new customers to grow faster.

How do Google reviews work as a ranking factor?

Having Google reviews on your business profile can do wonders for your ranking. And here’s how.

Google’s algorithm is dedicated to giving the most relevant results to users. If many users review you, whether with 5-star or 1-star reviews, Google believes them. So, having good reviews increases your chances of standing in a higher position on the search results.

How do Google reviews impact CTR in search results?

When people search for a business on Google, they get a list of results. 

According to the latest studies, the top result In Google gets 27.6% of all clicks on the SERP page.

Businesses that have higher overall ratings tend to stand higher on that list. Therefore, having great a better position makes you more visible to the users. And having a good rating makes you more trustworthy. 

How to get more Google reviews?

Setup and optimize Google My Business account

First things first.

To start using and increase Google reviews, you need to claim and verify your Google My Business profile.

Google My Business is a free tool; you can create a business profile in just a few minutes.

To get started, first go ahead and search for your business on Google Maps or in the Google search bar.

If you already have a listing but are not claimed and verified, you can easily follow our guide on Google My Business so you can organize your account to be on point. 

Go to the business dashboard and insert all basic info, contact information, photos, and service area.

Note: You can always edit and update your information at any time.

Optimize your GMB account

I mentioned how to set up your Google My Business with relevant photos and descriptions of your menu.

Use Google Posts to post what will appear at the top of your profile, where you can inform people about how you operate.

Hopefully, showing people recency will encourage them to order and therefore write a review.

Use 8 Proven Strategies on How to Increase Google Reviews

Prepare: Get the Google review link

Before you start collecting, make sure you have the right Google review link.

First, make sure you are logged in with the Google account that manages your GMB profile.

• Search for your brand on Google.
• In the top search results, you will find the options for your GMB account. Here click ‘Ask customers for reviews.’
• In the popup copy, the provided link.

Here is our link: https://g.page/r/CfO4tqbmA5_lEBM/review

So, how do you collect Google reviews? Here are some proven strategies to help you gather more reviews and boost your online reputation.

1. Ask through an email

Your happy customers are willing to leave a review for your business; all you have to do is ask!

One of the most straightforward strategies is to collect Google reviews through email. After a transaction or service, send a personalized email thanking them for their business and kindly request them to leave a review.

Make sure to include a direct link to your Google review page to make the process as easy as possible for your customers.

2. Ask when you send a bill

Another effective time to ask for a review is when you send a bill or invoice. This can be particularly effective for businesses that provide ongoing services. Include a note in your invoice emails asking for a review and a link to your Google review page.

3. Ask when you conclude a conversation on the Phone

If your business involves a lot of phone interactions with customers, consider asking for reviews at the end of a successful call. This can be a great way to collect reviews, especially if the customer is satisfied with the service they received.

4. Add a Google review CTA

Including a call-to-action (CTA) for Google reviews on your website, email signatures, newsletters, or other digital communications is another effective way to encourage reviews. This could be a simple text prompt or a clickable button that directs users to your Google review page.

5. Automate review requests

Automating your review requests can save you time and ensure that every customer is asked for a review. This can be done through various online tools that send automated emails or SMS messages to your customers asking for a review after a certain trigger event, such as a completed purchase or service.

6. Include Google review link in surveys

Surveys can be a great way to gather customer feedback and encourage reviews. You can include a Google review link at the end of the survey, asking satisfied customers to share their positive experiences.

This provides you with valuable feedback and helps you gather more Google reviews.

7. Ask for reviews on social media platforms

Social media platforms are another excellent channel to ask for Google reviews.

Regularly remind your followers about the importance of reviews and how they help your business.

8. Add a Google reviews badge on the website

Additionally, you can add the link and create a review button or Google reviews badge to display it on your website.

Check some of the badges that you can display to redirect users to your Google location so they can submit their testimonials in the Google review form:

Finally, thank customers for leaving a review. Thanking your customers for their positive reviews is always a good idea.

Showing gratitude and establishing communication on that ground can increase trust and create a foundation for great customer relationships.

Examples of asking for Google Customer Reviews

Below, you’ll find examples of practical and industry-specific email templates designed to encourage customers to leave Google Reviews for various businesses, including restaurants, hotels, dental clinics, auto repair shops, and fitness centers:

Restaurants

Here is a simple email on how to get reviews on Google for your restaurant:

Subject: We’d love to hear about your dining experience at [Restaurant Name]! ?️

Body: Hi there!

Thank you for choosing [Restaurant Name] for your meal. We hope you enjoyed the food and ambiance. As a small business, we’d appreciate it if you could take a moment to share your experience with us on Google Reviews.

Here’s the link: [Google Review Link]

Your feedback helps us improve and continue to serve delicious food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Thank you for your support!

Best regards, [Your Name / Restaurant Name]

Hotels

Use the email below to get reviews on Google for your hotel:

Subject: How was your stay at [Hotel Name]? ?

Body: Dear [Customer Name],

Thank you for choosing [Hotel Name] for your recent stay. We hope you had a comfortable and enjoyable time with us. We’d love to hear about your experience and kindly ask if you could share your thoughts on Google Reviews.

Please click here to review us: [Google Review Link]

Your valuable feedback allows us to improve our services and ensure future guests have an exceptional experience. We appreciate your time and support!

Warm regards, [Your Name / Hotel Name]

Review request email

Dental Clinics

Subject: Share your experience with [Dental Clinic Name]! ?

Body: Hello [Customer Name],

Thank you for trusting [Dental Clinic Name] with your dental care. We hope you had a positive experience during your visit. We’d be grateful if you could take a moment to review our clinic on Google Reviews and share your thoughts.

Please click here to review us: [Google Review Link]

Your feedback helps us maintain our high standards and provide the best dental care for our patients. We appreciate your support!

Best regards, [Your Name / Dental Clinic Name]

Review request email

Auto Repair Shops

Subject: How was your experience at [Auto Repair Shop Name]? ?

Body: Hi [Customer Name],

Thank you for choosing [Auto Repair Shop Name] for your vehicle’s needs. We hope we were able to meet your expectations and provide excellent service. We’d appreciate it if you could share your experience with us on Google Reviews.

Here’s the link to review us: [Google Review Link]

Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve our services and support our local business. Thank you for your time!

Best regards, [Your Name / Auto Repair Shop Name]

Review request email

Fitness Centers

Subject: How’s your fitness journey going at [Fitness Center Name]? ?

Body: Hey [Customer Name],

Thank you for being a valued member of [Fitness Center Name]. We hope our facilities and services are helping you achieve your fitness goals. We’d love to hear about your experience with us and ask if you could kindly leave a review on Google Reviews.

Please click here to review us: [Google Review Link]

Your feedback helps us improve our center and provide the best possible environment for our members. We appreciate your support!

Stay fit, [Your Name / Fitness Center Name]

Review request email

Google review SMS collection templates

Keeping it simple is always a great idea. So, here’s a text message template you can use to ask for a review.

Hey [first name]! Please take a moment to leave us a review of your experience with [company name] today at [review link]. Thanks!

Or by specific industry:

Restaurants:

“Hi [Customer Name]! Thanks for dining at [Restaurant Name]. Enjoyed your meal? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please review us on Google: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Restaurant Name]”

SMS

Hotels: “Dear [Customer Name], thank you for staying at [Hotel Name]. We hope you had a great time! Share your experience with us on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Hotel Name]”

SMS

Dental Clinics:

“Hello [Customer Name], thanks for visiting [Dental Clinic Name]. We’d appreciate your feedback on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Dental Clinic Name]”

SMS

Auto Repair Shops:

“[Customer Name], thank you for choosing [Auto Repair Shop Name]. Let us know how we did on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Auto Repair Shop Name]”

SMS

Fitness Centers:

“Hey [Customer Name], how’s your fitness journey at [Fitness Center Name]? Share your thoughts on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Fitness Center Name]”

SMS

Remember to shorten the Google Review Link to fit within the SMS character limit and make it more convenient for customers to click.

You can find 60+ industry-based review request templates in our The Reviews Plan eBook.

Manage Google reviews

How to manage your Google reviews?

If your business has a Google My Business page, you should pay attention to your review management strategy. 

There are a few things that you need to have in mind when successfully managing your Google My Business reviews. 

First, you should monitor them daily, and second, you should always be prepared to respond to your Google reviews in the best way possible. Especially the negative ones!

Now, let me share how to manage your Google reviews and approach them correctly: responding and reporting (removing) them.

FYI: You can embed Google reviews widget automatically with EmbedReviews platform. Start a free trial and display your Google reviews now. 

How to respond to Google Reviews?

As mentioned earlier in this post, I guess you already know what you should do and how to respond to positive reviews.

Successful business practices highly recommend showing your gratitude to customers and replying to good reviews, as it adds additional value.

On the other side, it takes more time to review and respond to a negative review on Google. But that’s a significant part of your reputation management strategy.

Unfortunately, you can’t just ignore it until it goes away. Ignoring a bad review can make things even worse!

To approach this situation properly, here are a few tips:

1. Review and evaluate the customer feedback internally first.
2. Prepare an appropriate response
3. Respond to the review publicly and quickly
4. Work towards a 1:1 conversation 
5. Be transparent about mistakes and issues
6. Ask questions when details aren’t clear
7. Offer a similar solution or be willing to help
8. Add a human touch and sign your name on the response
9. Request an update from the customer, and don’t leave the conversation unfinished

Nobody wants those 1-star reviews on their Google My Business listing, so I advise you to start with them first. And did you know that 80% of the 1-star reviews are with text?

This indicates that customers really wanted to write why they are rating the business with 1-star, and open up an opportunity to clear things up with a well-thought-out response.

If some of them seem suspicious to you and look like a planned malicious attack on your business reputation, you should take additional actions.

Those actions include flagging and reporting inappropriate fake Google reviews so the Google team can remove them. 

However, this is not an easy process, and it can often be frustrating.

Google reviews response templates.

You should never ever ignore the reviews your receive from your customers. 

It’s important to make your customers feel acknowledged, and you can do that by responding with interest when they offer feedback. Even if it doesn’t change anything, just knowing their opinion is being heard will leave them feeling satisfied.

So, here are some templates to help you respond to every type of review.

How to respond to a positive Google Review?

A thank you is not only a nice gesture for your customer, but it also helps to build rapport between the two of you. If they took time out of their day to say something good about your business, don’t be rude and act like that didn’t happen!

Thanking customers who leave reviews on social media sites such as Yelp or Google+ can help maintain a positive public image while benefiting from word-of-mouth advertising.

Here is an example template you can use.

Hello [customer name],

Thanks for your time and the positive review you left us! 

We value all customer feedback and we are very happy that you enjoyed [positive experience mentioned] with [company name].

We hope that we’ll see you again at [company name].

How to respond to a negative Google review?

I know your gut tells you to close your eyes to negative reviews, but that’s the worst you can do. Instead, respond to those reviews and turn your unhappy customers into loyal ones.

This is a responsive template that can help you out in such a situation.

Hi [customer name],

Thank you for your feedback. We’re truly sorry that your experience did not match your expectations.

Please help us to improve by providing more information on it. 

Our manager [manager’s name] will reach out to you later today to [offer compensation or trying again] since we really want to make things right for you.

Is there anything else we can do to make things right for you?

Thanks again!

How to respond to a neutral Google Review?

When you receive a positive or negative review, it’s easy to pinpoint where the customer stands. But when there are neutral reviews… it can be hard to tell what their opinion is of your business and products! This type of review often contains elements from both good and bad reviews- which makes them really confusing.

And this is a template you can use for occasions like that.

Hello [customer name],

Many thanks for your time and your feedback! 

We’re so glad you enjoyed [positive experience mentioned].

Yes, we are aware of that [negative element]. That’s because [offer your explanation why it is the way it is].

Is there anything else we can do to make this experience even better for you?

Many thanks!

See more positive review response templates and start replying to your Google reviews today.

Get Aggregated Google Rating Stars in Search Results

Do you know those beautiful yellow stars with a review count besides some links in the search results? 

Well, that’s a review snippet – a simple code embedded on the website that signalizes Google to display the reviews count along with the results.

So, what do you need to start with Google rating snippets?

• Google My Business account
• At least 5 Google reviews
• Schema code generator

Luckily for you, the EmbedReviews platform provides this functionality, and you can embed your schema.org code and get the rating count next to your search result. 

You can check the steps in our guide on Aggregated Google Rating.

The stars will shine brightly to encourage new customers to write reviews for you. Reviews are usually positive, so this approach is likely a good idea!

How to embed Google reviews on your website?

The process to generate and display Google reviews on your website is simple and easy with the EmbedReviews platform.

Here are the steps on how to embed Google reviews on your website:

1. Create EmbedReviews account
2. Add Google as a source to connect your Google My Business location
3. Once the reviews feed is generated, copy the provided code
4. Paste this code into your website body section.

Here is what Google reviews widget looks like:

With EmbedReviews, you can even generate reviews from review sites like Yelp and Facebook reviews. One of the best features is combining all of these reviews into one beautiful widget and displaying it on your website.

We have many layout templates to pick from that are suitable for every website style and design.

Where can you display your Google reviews?

You can get creative and play around with your reviews. You can use some of these ideas for displaying reviews on your website:

• Display the reviews as a sidebar on your About Us page
• Place the best review in the header on your home page (you can change it daily or weekly)
• Embed a carousel with the top 10 reviews on your home page
• Add the reviews on your product page
• Add the reviews and testimonials for each product right next to it
• Create a dedicated review page and shine right away

Create a Google reviews page on your website

Show all customer reviews from various review sources, including Google, and embed your social media and Google reviews on your website. 

The best case is to embed a Google reviews widget on some of your existing pages (you can find more details about this widget below). 

Still, one of the exciting ways is also the possibility to create and share an entirely dedicated page with your Google Reviews and reviews from any other sources you collect from.

Here is an example of a Reviews page:

And here are the main sections included on this page: 

• Company logo and description section
• Leave a review button that triggers a form
• Star rating data
• Number of reviews
• Reviews Filter by source
• Table view of the reviews with reviewer info, date, source logo

How to hide reviews on your Google My Business page?

Unfortunately, you can’t.

Unlike Facebook, a review cannot be turned off and is visible for all to see on the company’s profile page in Google My Business. 

We all know how negative reviews on Google can be surprisingly detrimental to your business’s reputation. 

How to delete a Google review?

Google reviews can make or break a business. Sadly, people (or fake accounts) do leave negative or fake reviews, which can negatively impact your online reputation.

So, what can you do about deleting Google Reviews?

There isn’t a direct “delete” option by Google, but there are different things you can do about getting the review removed.

1. Navigate to your Google My Business profile
2. Tap on “Reviews“
3. When you see the review you want to remove, click the three dots in the top right corner.
4. Click “Flag as inappropriate. “

5. A popup window with “Report review” will be shown with a text about Google’s content policy and click “Continue“.

6. Another popup with the text “What’s wrong with this review” is shown, and you need to choose the relevant reason.

7. After selecting the reason, click “Report. “

After Google processes your request, they will send you an email with an update on your removal request. 

Fingers crossed that your removal request will be accepted.

How can a customer edit or delete a Google review?

Customers who leave Google reviews have the option to edit or delete the review they wrote. To do this here are the steps:

1. On the desktop, open Google Maps and make sure you are logged in with the account you used to write a review
2. Click the top-left menu button and choose ‘Your contributions‘

1. Click on the Reviews tab
2. From the list of the reviews you left, find the review you want to edit.
3. Click the top-right three dots icon, choose ‘Edit review,’ change the text and rating and click Post.

This is also useful if you are a business that solved the customer problem and now you need to show the customer how to edit their review and make it a 5-star or make their review text more positive.

Wrap Up

Eventually, having good and bad Google reviews doesn’t look that terrible for your online reputation. 

Having a mix of great reviews and bad ones is a good thing—it shows that you are a real business and that you didn’t just beg or force your contacts to say nice things about your business.

In the end, the only thing that matters is just getting more Google reviews and using the positive Google reviews as brand advocates on your website to gain additional value for your business and acquire new customers.

More FAQs about Google Reviews

We summarized the most frequent questions about Google reviews. Here is the list:

FYI: You can embed Google reviews widget automatically with EmbedReviews platform. Start a free trial and display your Google reviews now.