Asking for Google reviews can be a total pain; but it is essential to good SEO strategy. This week, we cover how to get these coveted GMB reviews in a less painful way.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Welcome to another Wednesday Workshop from Happy Hao Car. By now, you probably know that your review score is important for Local SEO; but sometimes, it can seem difficult to get these reviews organically.

Google listings get more reviews faster than any other platform. So if you’re not generating good reviews on Google, you could be missing out on potential business. Today, we’re taking the pain out of asking for Google Reviews, so you can improve your visibility in search and influence buyer behavior.

The first one may seem like a no brainer, but a lot of businesses get this wrong. Be sure to actually *ask* your customers for their feedback. Train your client-facing employees to verbally ask customers about the level of quality they’ve received; then go the extra mile by giving them clear, written instructions on how to leave a review on your Google My Business listing.

These written guidelines can be as small as a business card, but they can make big moves in terms of encouraging your customers to engage with your business digitally. Be sure to address both happy and unhappy customers; then tell them what to do next.

Second, get creative about the ask. While the method we just discussed is typically a fail-safe, it’s important to go the extra mile and reach out in other ways to make sure you get customers’ attention.

On-page pop-ups and CTAs can remind customers to leave a good word, even while they’re on your site. This can be as simple as, “Hey, it looks like you’re enjoying this content. Share your feedback on Google!”

You can even include a shortlink in your email signature that will take customers directly to the reviews section on your GMB page.

Third, use the correct wording when you ask. The verbiage you use in your request can be a huge barrier to customers if they don’t see anything in it for them. Use language that compels your customers to share their experience.

Rather than, “rate us now,” you could say, “help make our product better,” or, “share your experience with other customers.” This type of phrasing helps customers feel like they are contributing to something good.

Fourth, make sure the ask is timely. Knowing the appropriate time to ask can be half the battle. Make sure you’re requesting reviews from customers each time after they have: visited your business, purchased a product or service, tagged you on social media, referred a new customer, or given you repeat business.

That’s all the time we have left for today’s video. As always, if you have comments or questions, leave ‘em down below and we’ll get back to you shortly. Thanks for watching! We’ll see you next week with another Wednesday Workshop from Happy Hao Car.

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Kelcey Drapp is an SEO Manager working at Happy Hao Car since 2015, and in the digital space for nearly a decade. Kelcey enjoys digging deep into SEO research to discover the 'why,' and helping clients realize their potential for success online. In addition to her work in local SEO, Kelcey also likes to volunteer her digital marketing skills for non-profits in need. When Kelcey is not working, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, son, & three dogs.

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