July 2020

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July 3 2020

Why Google Reviews Matter Even More for Local Small Business

Here’s some important information you need to know about the traffic that comes into your store. An important source of traffic for your local business is Google Maps. Google Maps is no longer just about distance and directions. Many consumers now go straight to Google Maps to search for local products or services.

Did you know that the Google Maps algorithm can return higher-rated businesses over nearby businesses when customers search with local intent? Your business could be further away from a customer but higher up in the search results in Google Maps if you have plenty of highly rated reviews.

Google also recently updated its map search layout to show ratings and reviews much more prominently. Your average rating is the first fact about your business that’s displayed to potential customers, before any other information.

The more positive ratings you can capture, the better chance you have of getting a customer’s attention and drawing them into your store from Google Maps. Google’s search algorithms are complex, but it’s clear that your Google Reviews have a huge impact on your standing with Google Maps local search results.

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July 3 2020

Why Google Reviews Matter

Alice Norman Reviews

Google reviews play a crucial role in showing the world that your business is trustworthy and transparent. Business reviews appear next to your listing on Google Search and Google Maps, and can help your business stand out from the competition.

Recent consumer studies suggest that customer reviews are the most powerful purchase influence on potential customers. Customers clearly want to know what kind of experiences others have had with your business. The more great Google Reviews they see, the more likely they are to believe that you provide great products or services, and give you a chance. It’s old-fashioned word-of-mouth in the internet era.

Customers are actively looking for reviews about your business, as indicated by a study that found 88% of consumers consult reviews before making a purchase. If you have a website, consider that yet another study indicates that 63% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from a website that has favorable customer reviews.

You need good reviews just to get customers to your website, because Google is more likely to recommend your website if it has highly rated reviews. Collecting reviews is a vital part of a comprehensive Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. As the world’s most dominant search engine, Google Reviews matter now more than ever, both for local foot traffic and online sales. In a review-centric market, businesses who collect more positive reviews will have a huge advantage over those who don’t.