woman on laptop at home

Making your Google Reviews help with your SEO

We all know Google Reviews are beneficial for a company’s credibility, so requesting them from your clients is important.

But just asking for Google Reviews might not be enough.

Just asking for a review can be a problem in two ways:

  • People tend to forget, so they might not even write a review once you ask, and
  • They might write a brief review that isn’t really helpful for your audience – or your SEO. For example, they might just write “(Your company) was awesome. I’d definitely recommend them.”

So what’s the best way to request reviews that also help with your SEO?

Simple: have your web design company add a page to your website that tells your clients how to leave a good Google Review. See an example of a Google Review guide we’ve done for a law firm here.

Screenshot of Google reviews guide page

What to include in your email request.

By sending a client an email with a link to a Google Reviews guide on your website, it reminds them AND guides them, for how to write a good review. It guides them by letting them know what keywords to incorporate into their review.

In the email you send requesting a review, be sure to:

  • Thank them for choosing you and working with you
  • Tell them how much you appreciate their feedback
  • Tell them why reviews are important, citing it helps future clients and with your SEO, and
  • Finally, provide a link to the Google reviews guide on your website, which should also have a link to the Google reviews page for your company. That way, they only hae to click a link instead of search for where to leave a review.

How many reviews do you need?

Obviously, the more the better. And having more than your competitors is also beneficial. But having as many 5-star Google reviews is the most important.

One blog we’ve read says to shoot for 10, but have 7 at a minimum. Another says 25 Google reviews is the minimum. No blog we’ve read ever refers to a Google-wriiten post about this issue, so we’re can honestly say we’re not sure what the exact number should be.

Don’t have customers write Google reviews in your office.

We have a plastic surgeon client who had an iPad in the lobby for their clients to write Google reviews. Turns out that surgeon were penalized by Google because all the review came from the same IP address. Google thought the plastic surgeon was putting in all the Google reviews themselves, which they weren’t. But Google didn’t know that.

So turned out having an iPad or computer in your office where your clients can post reviews proved to be an issue.

Don’t wait: make a list of clients to make requests for a review and follow up with them. And best wishes for getting those awesome Google reviews!