We've already highlighted the importance of reviews as part of your presence on GMB. BrightLocal has found that 5-star reviews increase clicks by around 25%, but a question that comes up often is how businesses can encourage users to leave reviews.
First of all, don't be tempted to leave fake reviews yourself or buy reviews from other people or use companies that offer this type of service since Google removes reviews deemed unnatural.
To encourage users to leave reviews, you should integrate the request into your internal processes, in order to naturally ask customers to give their opinion on your company, its products or services.
Here are some ideas:
Use the features available in Google's Marketing Kit to create social media posts, graphics, and posters that encourage customers to leave reviews.
Email customers after they purchase through your CRM (or use your service) and politely ask them to leave a review on your GMB page, sharing your short link.
Address long-time customers personally. You will be surprised at the effectiveness of this approach if you contact them for a personal request.
If you are a local business, you simply cannot ignore the benefits that Google My Business can bring to your visibility.
If you stick to the basics and use as many features as possible, you'll already be ahead of the competition, as many just fill in the bare minimum and do nothing else.
Be the company with an active and well-filled profile, which obtains 5-star reviews and whose profile makes your competitors jealous!