Using a Google reviews link to get more high-quality online reviews is one of the most effective ways to improve your company’s search ranking on Google.
According to a Google help article, reviews, along with your responses to these reviews, are an important factor in determining your local search rankings. Apart from improving local SEO signals, a steady stream of fresh, highly-rated Google reviews also benefits you by:
- Improving your online reputation to attract more customers
- Providing the social proof needed to inspire consumer trust
Google reviews are particularly important marketing assets for businesses. According to customer reviews research, the buying decisions of 90% of consumers are influenced by reviews, and a majority (63%) use Google reviews before they even visit a business.
Smart marketers know how to create and share a Google review link that draws in more visitors and attracts more customers.
Before you read the rest of this blog post, make sure you have created or claimed the listings of your company’s business locations on Google My Business or GMB. (This tool has since been renamed Google Business Profile.) That way, when reviews start rolling in, you can respond quickly to your reviewers and act on their valuable feedback.
How to Create a Google Reviews Link
There are a number of ways to create a Google reviews link:
- Find the link on GMB / Google Business Profile
- Use the Place ID Finder tool
- Search manually for the link via Google Search
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Google Reviews Link Method 1: Find the Link on Google My Business / Google Business Profile
If your team is already using Google My Business or Google Business Profile, it should be easy to learn how to share a review link for Google.
The first step is to log into your Google Business Profile Manager. On the Home tab, look for the “Get More Reviews: Share review form” section.
Click the “Share review form” button. Your Google review link will appear. Simply click the link to copy; there should also be options for sharing the link on Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, and via email.
Google Reviews Link Method 2: Use the Place ID Finder Tool
Still in the process of claiming your Google Business Profile? You can still learn how to share a review link for Google without needing to be signed into your Profile Manager or GMB dashboard.
A Google Maps developer page features the ever-so-handy Place ID Finder tool. All you need to do is enter the name of your business location (that you’d like to ask reviews for) in the search bar.
A small text window above the business will appear on the map. This will contain a series of numbers, letters, and symbols that make up the Place ID. Copy that Place ID onto the URL below after the “placeid=” string.
- https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=<place_id>
For example, if your place ID on Google is 1234567ABCDE2021, then your Google reviews link will be:
https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=1234567ABCDE2021
Copy and save the URL, which you can then use to share with customers.
Google Review Link Method 2: Google Search
You can also simply conduct a Google search of your business. When you find your listing, click on the “Write a review” button.
When the review window pops up, copy the (quite lengthy) URL in the address bar on the top of the screen.
Pro tip: The default string of numbers, symbols, and letters doesn’t make for an attractive URL. It’s a good idea to simplify or shorten the links so that customers can easily remember them. Use a URL shortening tool like Bit.ly or Ow.ly by Hootsuite to generate shortened Google reviews links that are easier to share on social media, emails, or even receipts.
Where and How to Share a Google Review Link
Having a Google reviews link makes it easier for people to find or remember your brand, but how do you use that link effectively to get more reviews for customers in the first place?
Here are some ideas on how to share a Google review link.
Send An Email
Research shows that up to 70% of online reviews come from emails sent after the purchase. Crafting a visually appealing message with your Google reviews link can easily convince customers to provide the substantial feedback you need to attract more customers and make operational improvements.
Generate a Google Review QR Code
QR codes in business locations have become ubiquitous. You, too, can utilize this technology to generate more Google reviews for your locations. You can place or print the code on your checkout counters, receipts, post-transaction emails, and other marketing materials.
Use SMS Messaging
Mobile devices are ubiquitous in today’s digital age, and you can use them to have a direct line to any customer. Your Google reviews link reduces the overall length of your message, which is essential to quickly capturing the attention of any consumer.
Most messages are read within 3 minutes. A shortened link along with a cordial tone makes it more likely for customers to give you those valuable reviews.
If you are managing multiple business locations, you can use the Ask Tool by ReviewTrackers to create email and SMS campaigns that help generate Google reviews. The Ask Tool is extremely useful for marketers looking to automate their review generation efforts. It also includes intelligent workflow features that help you optimize results, personalize your review requests, and work in compliance with Google review policy.
Track and Respond to Every Review
Learning how to share a Google review link is almost certainly going to bring in more feedback for your business. Be sure you have a process in place for tracking this feedback and responding to reviews.
According to online reviews statistics, 80% of consumers believe that a company cares about them when someone from the management team responds to their review. Unfortunately, 63% say that a business never responds to their feedback.
Fortunately, Google My Business or Google Business Profile includes a section where you can see all the reviews posted about a listing. Your dashboard also includes a section where you can respond to these reviews. For best practices, read our guide on how to respond to negative reviews as well as positive feedback.
Deliver a Better Customer Experience with A Google Reviews Link
Even though collecting 5-star reviews on Google is a great marketing strategy, it shouldn’t be the end goal. Instead, use the information contained within each review to better understand customers, develop a strong customer experience management strategy, and inspire customer loyalty. Contact ReviewTrackers today to help you streamline your brand’s Google online review management strategy.
