Tired of manually begging for customer reviews? Want to get more reviews for your business in less time and without the awkward asking part?
In this blog post, I’ll share a great way to automate the entire review process that’ll save you time. I’ll also cover proven strategies on how to get more reviews for your business on a variety of platforms, including Yelp, Google, Facebook and others.
5-star reviews can make your business stand out and shine. Let’s dive in and learn how to encourage those happy customers to leave glowing feedback without breaking a sweat.
How can I get more reviews for my business?
Some effective ways to get more reviews for your business include asking satisfied customers directly, offering incentives or discounts for leaving a review, making the review process as easy and convenient as possible, and promoting your business on relevant review sites.
But, the most efficient way to generate more reviews for your business? Is to take all these suggestions and automate the process.
Let’s look at each step.
5 Easy Steps for Automating the Review Process for Your Service-Based Business
Step 1: Choose a Review Management Platform
Review management software will help you collect, manage, and respond to customer reviews.
Some popular choices for local business service-based businesses include BrightLocal, GatherUp, and ReviewTrackers. Be sure to check out my top 5 review management software tools for small businesses.
BrightLocal is a local SEO tool for small businesses. Its Reputation Manager feature offers an all-in-one review management solution to help you get more reviews, monitor and respond to them quicker, and use them to promote your business. Pricing starts at $35/mo and includes a FREE 14-day demo.
GatherUp (formerly GetFiveStars) is a customer experience and online review engine. This platform helps you gather customer feedback and reviews into one place to drive sales up for your business. Pricing starts at $99 per location.
ReviewTrackers helps you automate review collection to boost local SEO rank and attract prospective buyers. Pricing starts at $119/mo.
Quick Tips on Finding the Right Review Management Software
- Choose review software that automatically sends out request emails and filters out negative reviews before they go public.
- Make sure the platform you choose also integrates with your existing CRM and other tools to ensure a seamless process.
Alternatively, you can look for a business management platform or all-in-one marketing platform that includes review management features.
Step 2: Set Up Review Request Automation
Configure your chosen review management platform to automatically send review requests to your customers after they have received your service.
Make sure to customize the message, ensuring it reflects your brand’s tone and is personalized for each customer experience.
Don’t forget to send a follow-up email to those who have not yet left a review, as this can increase the chances of receiving feedback and improving your online reputation.
Writing reviews is an important aspect of online reputation management, and it is crucial to encourage your customers to leave reviews to improve your business’s online presence.
This can be done through email campaign, SMS, or even as a push notification in your app, depending on your customer base preferences.
Step 3: Streamline Review Monitoring and Responses
Utilize the features of your review management platform so you can monitor new reviews and respond promptly. Make sure to link your review management platform to your Facebook page to ensure that you are able to respond to testimonials in a timely manner.
You can do this by setting up alerts or notifications to stay updated on new reviews, and create response templates for common feedback topics at the right time.
Step 4: Analyze Review Data
Regularly review the data and insights provided by your review management platform.
Look for trends in customer feedback, and identify areas where your business is excelling or needs improvement.
Use this information to make adjustments to your business processes. Doing so helps you continuously improve your business, while increasing customer satisfaction.
Step 5: Promote Positive Reviews
Positive reviews are a huge asset to your business.
Let them work for you by sharing them on your website, social media channels, newsletter and other marketing materials.
Promoting your positive reviews helps showcase your business’s strengths and can attract new customers.
More Ways to Encourage Customer Reviews
Consider rewarding loyal customers who leave positive reviews with special offers or discounts, as a token of appreciation for their support and feedback.
Make sure you provide clear instructions and direct links so the process is easy.
Be sure to follow local, state and federal regulations for your specific industry when it comes to these types of incentives. For example, many healthcare professions are prohibited from requesting reviews, or incentivizing patients and clients with gifts and discounts in exchange for reviews.
Use Email Surveys for Customer Feedback
Email surveys are another effective way to get honest feedback from your previous clients or customers.
Personalize your message and include direct links to your social media or review site profiles to encourage customers to share their experience with others.
Proven Strategies on How to Get More Reviews for Your Business
How to Get More Reviews on Google
A strong Google Business profile (formerly Google My Business) can have a huge impact on your local SEO.
First, get listed on Google, and get verified so that your business shows up on Google maps.
To automate the review process and get more Google reviews, start by integrating your review management software so that it easily syncs with your Google business profile.
Set up automated email and SMS campaigns that target satisfied customers after they’ve made a purchase or used your service. Personalize these messages to make customers feel valued. Include your Google Business review link to simplify the review submission process.
Respond positively to each review (positive or negative) to demonstrate your business’s high level of responsiveness and strong online presence.
How to Get More Reviews on Yelp
Create and optimize your Yelp business page so that potential customers can leave honest feedback easily. Don’t forget to respond to both positive and negative critiques as this shows the level of customer service you provide.
It’s important not to ask for reviews directly, as this goes against Yelp’s guidelines and may lead to filtered or removed reviews. Instead, include a Yelp link in your email signatures, social media profiles, and website, making it easy for customers to find your Yelp page.
Consider including a QR code on appointment reminder cards and in-office signage to encourage your happy customers to write a positive review.
Every good review counts towards building social proof and improving local SEO.
How to Get More Reviews on Nextdoor
Nextdoor is another platform where neighbors are always looking for local service recommendations. The more recommendations you have on Nextdoor, the more visibility your business will get on the platform.
Here are some tips on how to use Nextdoor to promote your business and get more reviews.
Start by creating a business page on Nextdoor and get verified.
Verified businesses have a green checkmark next to their name and are more likely to be recommended by neighbors.
Engage with your neighbors by posting updates, responding to comments, and answering questions to showcase your expertise and build trust. Offer promotions, discounts, or special events exclusive to Nextdoor users.
Encourage satisfied clients to leave a review on Nextdoor by sending personalized follow-up messages, sharing a direct link to your review page, or including a call-to-action in your email signature.
Be sure to respond promptly to recommendations, as well as comments, messages, and questions from neighbors. This will show that you’re genuinely interested in engaging with potential customers and will help build trust within the community.
How to Get More Reviews on Facebook
Prospects often look for personal recommendations before making a purchase decision on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
One of the best ways to get more reviews on Facebook is to create a review campaign.
This can be accomplished simply by posting to your current followers. Request reviews from your existing customers through regular posts, adding compelling graphics, images or video. Get creative! Run a contest or offer incentives for those who leave a review. By creating an engaging campaign, you can encourage more people to take the time to rate their experience with your business on Facebook.
How to Deal with Negative Reviews
No one likes a bad review. But there’s a tried and true protocol you can follow to minimize the stress that can come with a low-star review.
Stay calm and composed. When you first see a negative review, it’s natural to feel defensive or upset. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that everyone gets negative reviews from time to time.
Read the review carefully. Make sure you fully understand the reviewer’s concerns and issues. This will help you address the problem effectively and avoid any misunderstandings.
Respond promptly. Don’t let a negative review linger unanswered. Respond as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. This shows that you take customer feedback seriously and are committed to resolving issues.
Thank the reviewer. Start your response by thanking the reviewer for their feedback. This shows that you value their opinion and are open to constructive criticism.
Address the issue. Acknowledge the reviewer’s concerns and explain what steps you will take to resolve the issue. Be specific about any changes or improvements that you plan to make.
Apologize if necessary. If the reviewer’s concerns are valid, offer a sincere apology for any inconvenience or frustration they may have experienced.
Offer a solution. Depending on the situation, you may want to offer a refund, replacement, or other form of compensation. This can help turn a negative experience into a positive one and may even result in the reviewer updating their review.
Keep it professional. When responding to a negative review, always remain polite and professional. Avoid using aggressive language or getting personal with the reviewer.
Learn from the feedback. Use negative reviews as an opportunity to improve your product or service. Identify recurring issues and work to address them.
Encourage positive reviews. The best way to counteract negative reviews is to have plenty of positive ones. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by asking them directly, offering incentives, or providing a link to your review page in your communications.
Final Thoughts
Getting more reviews for your service-based business doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task.
By using automated review collection tools, you can simplify the process and increase customer engagement with minimal effort.
Just a little setup time is needed: identify the right platform for your business, set up automated review requests, and monitor and respond to reviews. These simple steps can significantly enhance your business’s ability to gather and manage customer feedback effectively.
Customer reviews are one of the most important factors that influence a potential customer’s decision to buy from you. Investing in the right platform can help generate more online reviews for your small business, boosting both your online reputation and local SEO.
