When was the last time you bought something online without checking the reviews? Chances are, not recently. Reviews have become one of the most influential factors in a customer’s decision-making process — and that’s just as true for local businesses as it is for online shopping.
But it’s not just about looking good. Reviews help your business get found by more potential customers searching on Google and other platforms. Let’s break down why reviews are critical, where you should focus your efforts, and how to gather more of them (the right way).
The Best (and Worst) Places to Get Reviews
Not all review platforms carry the same weight. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Google: The gold standard. Google reviews directly influence your local search rankings and the visibility of your Google Business Profile. More quality reviews can mean showing up higher in local searches and on Google Maps.
- Yelp: Still important, especially in certain industries (restaurants, hospitality, service-based businesses). Yelp reviews also show up in Apple Maps and other directories.
- Bing Maps: Exists, but isn’t nearly as impactful as Google.
- Facebook: Once a valuable source of social proof, but today, Facebook reviews (now called Recommendations) hold minimal SEO value and rarely influence buying decisions.
Why Reviews Help You Get Found
Google’s algorithm loves fresh, authentic content — and reviews count. Positive reviews and high star ratings improve your online reputation, but they also send signals to Google that your business is active, trustworthy, and relevant.
In short, more quality reviews can lead to higher local rankings, more website visits, more phone calls, and more visits to your storefront.
What Makes a Good Review?
Not all reviews are created equal. Here’s a quick breakdown of elements that can make a review truly impactful:
- Stars only – helpful, but almost useless on their own. These reviews contribute to your average rating, but don’t provide valuable context or keywords.
- Stars with words – much better — especially if the written review includes keywords like your service or product name and your town (for example, “Stray Cat Digital helped redesign my website for business name, in Canton Ohio, and the process was seamless!”).
- Stars with words and a photo – the gold standard. Adding a photo makes the review feel more authentic and can show off your product or service in action. It also gives Google another way to show people a result that takes up more space than just words.
- UGC (User-Generated Content) with video – the holy grail of reviews. A video review or testimonial that includes all of the above is the most impactful type of content you can get. Videos build massive trust and can be repurposed across your website, social media, and ads.
Warning: Don’t Fake It
Buying reviews, having family members who aren’t actual customers leave feedback, or posting fake testimonials is not only unethical — it’s illegal. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 2024 ruling cracked down on deceptive review practices, making it clear that fake reviews can lead to significant fines and legal consequences.
Authenticity isn’t optional. Your reviews should come from real customers who have genuinely experienced your products or services.
How to Get Real Reviews (Fast)
Getting authentic reviews doesn’t have to be a slow, painful process. Here are some tips to encourage more customers to share their experiences:
- Ask at the right time: Request a review right after a positive interaction or once the service is completed. When the experience is fresh, customers are more likely to respond.
- Make it easy: Provide a direct link to your Google review page or use a QR code that leads directly to your review form.
- Automate it: Use a CRM to automatically send review requests via email or text after a purchase or appointment.
- Incentivize feedback (legally): While you can’t pay for reviews, you can thank customers for leaving them — for example, by entering them into a monthly giveaway (check local regulations first). You can also incentivize your staff to collect them. We’ve seen great results when service technicians are in competition and get a bonus based on the number of 5 star reviews they receive.
How Can Stray Cat Digital Help Me Get More Reviews?
At Stray Cat Digital, we make it easy to manage your online reputation. Our reputation management service helps you automate review collection with QR codes, email, SMS follow-ups, and seamless CRM integrations. This means you can focus on running your business while we help you build trust and boost your online presence.
Ready to Turn Your Happy Customers into Your Best Marketers?
Let’s talk about setting up your review automation system today. Contact us here.