Anyone who regularly looks up a business on Google has probably seen it before: the star rating in the Google business profile that gives an indication of a company's quality and reliability. These are reviews from customers and users that Google has then converted into an average overall score. Consumers can then rely on that score and the feedback behind it to make calculated purchasing decisions.


Google reviews are a powerful tool that can give your business a big boost if you know how to use them properly. Wondering how? Read on quickly!

What are Google reviews?

Online review scores are nothing new. Just think of Tripadvisor, Yelp or Trustpilot. The principle is simple: users of certain products or services leave their experiences using a score - usually from one to five. They can then supplement this score with a short text, listing positive and negative experiences for future readers.

Google also uses such a system: the Google reviews or reviews. And the impact is huge! Google is the most visited website in the world, with countless searches every day. Whoever can stand out with a high score and gets good feedback, is immediately one step ahead of the competition. So, as a business owner, you will benefit from receiving positive reviews and maintaining your online business profile nicely.

The basics: Google My Business

Google My Business - officially Google Company Profile - is a tool from Google to display your business information in search results. If you type in a business, potential customers immediately see all the essential info: your contact information, a short description, news updates and - you guessed it - your Google review score. This info appears prominently in search results, but also, for example, on Google Maps. 

But it goes even further, because even if you search for certain services such as web design, for example, you will see in Google the companies that offer this. And yes, even the review score is immediately visible with its eye-catching yellow stars.

Google Reviews

The benefits of Google reviews

Earlier we mentioned that good Google reviews have a positive impact on your business. But what exactly are the benefits? We list them briefly:

  • Businesses with positive reviews appear higher in the list of potential providers of a product or service and are thus easier to find in Google. Yep, a whopping 16% of Google's calculation for placing results locally takes review score into account.
  • Google reviews allow interaction with your customers. They provide valuable information about what your customers care about, what they are (un)satisfied about and what their expectations are. Moreover, as a company, you can respond to reviews to gain insights on what could be done better.
  • Positive reviews have a direct impact on click-through rate and a potential partnership.
  • Last but not least, studies show that companies with mostly positive Google reviews logically appear more trustworthy to their target audience.

How do you leave a review?

Reviewing a business through Google is very easy:

  • Make sure you are logged in through a Google account. This is necessary for leaving a review.
  • Look up the company in question via Google.
  • In the Google My Business pancarte, click on "write a review."
  • Rate out of five by clicking on the stars. Writing a text is optional. You can also add an image if you wish.
  • Click "post" and done! Your review will be published.

How do you achieve Google reviews?

Okay, Google reviews have a big impact on your online success as a business. But how do you get great reviews from customers?

Of course, you can just wait for users and customers to spontaneously fill out such a review. But why not boost the number of reviews by asking for a review yourself! At the end of the buying process, your customer usually has a clear opinion about your products or services. And with any luck, they will be only too happy to share it with you and Google.

Everything starts with your own review link, which can be found when you log into your Google business profile and then go to ask for reviews where you can copy the link. You can then provide this link in a pop-up on your website or as the starting point of a small email campaign or automation.

Here are a few more tips/thoughts:

  • Don't wait too long to ask for reviews, but don't be pushy either.
  • Make the process as simple as possible. Provide the ability to leave a review in a few clicks - that's customer friendliness, too!
  • The chances of every customer leaving a review are usually small. But even a few reviews a month can make a big difference.
  • A brief thank you that their feedback is greatly appreciated is certainly advisable.
Google Reviews

How do you deal with bad reviews?

Many companies will instinctively try to remove bad reviews. Especially if the disgruntled customer describes in detail why they are not satisfied, it can feel like a dent in your company's image. 

Still, it's best to approach something like this differently. Respond politely and tactfully to the reviewer's comments and ask for further clarification if necessary. Also take this feedback to heart, sometimes it is an excellent way to improve your service to the future. At worst, the review contributes nothing at all. But don't worry, because consumers won't be influenced by a rare negative review anyway. Especially not if it is countered in the right way.