4 Barriers (and Solutions!) to Getting Positive Local Reviews for Your Business [Part 2]
Last time, we talked about the barriers (and solutions) to getting more positive reviews for your business. Here’s Part 2 of the series.
Barrier #3: Reviews don’t publish
Some local search engines are more strict than others when it comes to what reviews they will and won’t post. Among the most strict is our favorite, the almighty Google.
Google Reviews
This summer, Google teamed its Google Maps (or Google My Business if you’re a business owner).
That means that now, in order to leave a Google Maps review for a business, you must be signed up for Google+. It’s simple if you already have a Google account, but for those of you who don’t, the process can be a confusing one.
Since this switch, Google has been even more strict about the reviews they will and will not post. Each review is held for quality review by a Google employee. Some of the guidelines that employee looks at include:
- Age of the Google account. If you’ve had a Google account or have been using Gmail for a certain length of time, this will help your case and get the review published.
- Reviewed before. Not only is it important to have a “lived in” Google account, but it’s also important that reviews have been left by that Google account before – both positive and negative, if possible.
- Distance from the business. That’s right; Google knows where you are. If you’re at the business and using the exact IP address the business uses, there’s a very slight chance your review will be published. However, you also can’t be so far away that it’d be impossible you used that business’s services.
If Google reviews your customers leave aren’t showing up
- Wait 4-6 weeks. It could take that long to be reviewed by a Google rep.
- Have your customer leave the review on a site that pulls into Google like Yelp or Insider Pages.
Barrier #4: Negative Reviews
None of us like hearing negative reviews – whether it’s about us or our business. But the fact of the matter is, they happen. Whether someone is having a bad day or you just weren’t able to help a client like you were hoping to.
False Information
Most review sites will offer an option to report a review as abuse or false information.
If that’s the case, make sure you are logged into your account and contact the local review site or report it as abuse. It won’t always happen; but more often than not, the review will get taken done.
If there’s some truth to it
We all make mistakes; we’re human, after all. If a review is negative, but has some truth behind it, the best thing you can do is publicly respond. Apologize for the customer’s negative experience and offer something if you can – a free stay at your hotel, half off a meal at your restaurant whatever you can.
Though the minimal stars may hurt your overall rating, it’s great for potential customers to see that not only do you care, but you’re fully capable of righting a wrong. Or, the negative reviewee may even decide to take the review down!
If you’re unable to reply publicly (due to privacy issues or because of the website), respond privately. This will hopefully not only make the customer feel better, they may even take down their negative review!
Have you ever had a barrier to getting a positive review? Talk about it in the comments below!