Whether you have been in business for years or you are a small company just starting out, there are an abundance of power and benefits related to Google reviews. Google is often the first place a consumer will turn when they are looking for a product, service provider, or even a place to eat dinner. In many cases, Google serves as the initial point of contact between a potential customer and a business, which is exactly why it provides so many benefits. Here’s a look at the power of Google, as well as the numerous benefits associated with the search engine and its reviews.

The Power of Google

An average of 2.3 million Google searches are performed every single second. When a consumer searches for something as simple as ‘florists near me’ or ‘family friendly restaurants near me,’ not only do they get a list of results, but they often see little yellow stars alongside it or below it, as well as little snippets of reviews left by previous customers. When you consider that 85% of customers admit they read up to 10 reviews when trying to make a purchase decision, Google’s power (and the power of those little yellow stars) becomes readily apparent.

If you are thinking that the power of Google reviews doesn’t really apply to you because you are located in a small town where everyone knows everyone, think again. 92% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses and the first factor they use to judge a business is their star rating.

The Benefits of Google Reviews

THEY BUILD TRUST.

This trust applies to brands, products, and the actual services you provide. People tend to trust what others have to say and recommend because they are perceived as authentic and genuine responses that are likely to reflect how their experience will be. This is especially true when it comes to the number of reviews you have.

THEY ENHANCE CLICKABILITY.

Clickability is essentially a business’ hotness or engagement factor. For example, if your business has 50 positive reviews, 1 okay review, and 1 negative review, they are likely to trust you more than your rival who has just 8 positive reviews. While the other company may have no negatives, they cannot match the positive reviews you have. This is why it is so important to encourage your customers to leave Google reviews.

THEY PROVIDE SEO BENEFITS.

SEO, or search engine optimization, refers to the algorithm a search engine, such as Google, uses to determine where your business should rank when someone conducts a search. This has a more significant impact on your Google Now for mobile and Google Maps ranking, but it also helps your overall online presence in terms of an organic search.

HOW CAN YOU GET GOOGLE REVIEWS?

First, you have to claim your Google business listing, which you can do by going to Google: Places for Business. Then, you will need to optimize your listing, verify your listing (which is done by entering a verification code Google sends you via postcard), and finally, start getting reviews.

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