As a small business owner, you’re constantly looking for ways to attract new customers AND retain the ones you have. One of the most powerful yet simple tools at your disposal is Google reviews. But why are they such a game-changer? Let’s dive in.
Why Reviews Matter for Your Business
Remember the last time you hired a service provider? Odds are you checked Google first to see what other people had to say. Your potential customers aren’t any different.
Google reviews do much more than just showcase customer experiences—they can significantly impact your business’s online presence, helping you:
- Gain customers’ trust
- Improve your reputation
- Enhance your local search ranking
But the opposite is true as well—negative reviews or the lack of them can harm your business.
Why You Should Get At Least 10 Reviews
Reaching your first 10 reviews is a huge milestone, as it truly lays the groundwork for your business’s online presence. But why 10? Here’s why it’s the magic number:
- Improved Visibility: In our experience (but not just ours), once you reach 10 reviews, your business is more likely to appear higher in local search results. This makes it easier for potential customers to find you.
- Increased Credibility: 10 reviews show potential customers that more than just a handful of people have chosen your business AND were compelled to share their experience. It makes you look more established and trustworthy.
The Power of Reviews: More Than Just Words
You might think of reviews as “just feedback”, but they’re actually so much more than that. Reviews today are content your customers create for you that works to promote and improve your business in a few big areas:
- SEO rankings: According to Whitespark, seven of the top 50 local search ranking factors are review-related. This shows how critical reviews are to your visibility.
- Marketing: Your review section is full of stories you can share on your website, social media and more.
- Public relations: Positive reviews act as social proof—a modern-day word of mouth.
- Customer service: Each response you give shows potential customers how you handle real situations.
- Business intelligence: Reviews give insights into what you’re doing right and what you could improve. Check out your competitors’ reviews too; they’re a goldmine of ideas!
- Sales: Good reviews directly influence people’s buying decisions.
The Importance of Review Recency
Getting reviews is important, but did you know that how often you get them matters just as much?
Recent research from Joy Hawkins shows that the frequency of new reviews—what we call “review recency”—can significantly boost your local search rankings.
Here’s a real-world example from Joy Hawkins’ case study: One business saw its rankings drop drastically after it stopped collecting reviews consistently. When it started asking customers for reviews again, its rankings rebounded.
This confirms that regularly getting new reviews plays a big role in staying competitive online.
So, how often should you aim for new reviews? It depends on your industry and competition:
- Highly Competitive Fields: Think of industries like real estate, law or home services in bustling cities. Weekly reviews might be necessary to keep up with competitors.
- Less Competitive Markets: For smaller towns or niche industries, monthly reviews may be enough to maintain a strong presence.
Not sure how to make this happen? Tools like the Olly Olly Review Generator make requesting reviews quick and simple, so you can focus on running your business while staying competitive online.
Don’t Stop at 10; Set Your Sights Higher!
OK, so now you know that getting your first 10 reviews is crucial. But what’s next? Well… our advice is that you set your sights on 20 to 50 reviews. There’s a simple reason for that. Businesses with more reviews typically:
- Attract more traffic
- Gain more customers
It’s not just about the quantity, though—quality matters a great deal too. Again, think about your own experience here. Would you trust a business with a lot of reviews that seem written by bots living in Lalaland? Likely not.
That’s because genuine feedback from real customers carries a lot more weight. Ideally, what you want is a balanced mix of positive reviews, along with a few constructive ones. This can make this feedback seem more authentic and believable, which will build trust.
Tip: Don’t forget to respond to reviews either—especially negative ones! Each reply shows other readers, and potential customers among them, that you care about them and their business. Got no time for that? You’re in luck, as with the Olly Olly App review response tool it now takes only a few clicks to write relevant, customized replies
Keep the Reviews Coming
In truth, getting your first 10, 20, or even 50 reviews is just the beginning. If you want your business to look active and trustworthy, aim for a steady flow of new reviews. Here’s why:
- A big influx of reviews all at once can look suspicious to Google and might raise concerns about authenticity.
- Customers lose trust in businesses that don’t have fresh, regular reviews.
- Google values fresh content, so new reviews can help positively influence your local ranking.
Important: NEVER pay for reviews, whether from customers or third parties. Paying for reviews can damage your reputation and even lead to penalties from Google. Authentic reviews are the only ones that truly help build trust and authority.
Struggling to Get Reviews?
With the Olly Olly App, asking for a review is now as low effort as it gets. You can remain focused on the business and doing what you do best. But as soon as you’re done serving a customer, we’re ready to step in. Need help with setting everything up? Just give your account manager a call and they’ll gladly step in. Schedule a call with your Account Manager now!
Learned something but not a client yet? If you’re ready to make your business the local go-to, don’t wait—call 877-Olly-Olly today, and let’s start building your online presence together.
Our Commitment to You
At Olly Olly, it’s our job to stay on top of changes in SEO. This is why our strategy evolves over time. Today, we prioritize high-quality content, written for other human beings, and ethical SEO practices that deliver long-term results.
We’re not looking for shortcuts. We’re not trying to overcharge you. And never will.
