5 Star Google Reviews Are Paramount to Your Success!
Last week we gave your tips on the Top 10 Directories you should be listed on. For these citations, we listed general ones as well as directories specific to Chiropractic. The one you might have thought was missing in the list is Google. In short, Google requires it’s own post. Not because Google is "better", but because it’s heavily weighted and by using it properly can result in many more clients.
Get Verified on Google My Business
Savvy marketers know that Google reviews (reviews, ratings, and customer feedback) appear on both Google Maps and Google search results. Considering potential clients find businesses by simply “Googling” it’s important to nail the formula. Visually many people will also find you via Google on their mobile device. Google Maps will also assist them to get through your front door. When I find a new vendor from any industry I naturally head straight to Google. If you don’t have 4.5 - 5 Star ratings and/or verified and have an updated Google My Business page I will move on to the next business and give them my business instead. Click here to get more information and insight into Google My Business. A half-baked profile on Google says “I’m not with it”. You can’t afford to have that sentiment out there. In this passive search, there is also no way for you to fix that first impression once it’s made. BE PROACTIVE!
3 Simple Steps for Setting Up Google My Business
Here are 3 steps you can take on your own to begin getting set up (aka: “Google-Verified” with Google My Business. Google calls it “The best 10 minutes you can spend on your business for today”.... so go for it! This is also the first step in formulating a successful Review Strategy.
- Claim your business: Find your business on the map. If it’s not there you can add it for free.
- Verify your business: Google wants to be sure you are actually the business owner/manager. They will send you an email or mail you a postcard with a verification code.
- Confirm contact information: Make sure your listing includes the correct phone number, address, hours, etc. Then, when you are spelling out your business' details elsewhere online, we highly recommend using the format provided by Google. Consistency is key.
Once you have done this you will be connected with potential and current clients on Search, Maps, and Google+!
I'm VERIFIED...now what?
Next, you will need to be able to interact with clients who review you. This process is somewhat manual. One option is Google will send you a postcard with a confirmation code on it. They will send this to your business address. Note, this process can take 2 weeks, so take care of this ASAP or consider one of the options below. Once you have entered your PIN your profile is fully verified. At that point, you can engage your reviewers directly.
The way to speed up this verification process is to have the code sent as an automated message or phone call. You simply enter the code on Google My Business to complete the process. And, if you have been super savvy and have already verified your website with Google Search Console you will likely be verified instantly. If you have not done this already, it pays to take care of it as you can request a recrawl of you website and also take a look at your Google Search Statistics.
The more business reviews and ratings you have on Google and other review sites like Yelp and Facebook bring you more online “prominence”. This is one of the top 3 factors Google suggests in order to boost your local ranking. This means that higher quantities of high quality reviews will help improve the likelihood of your business appearing at the top of local search results.
I want more reviews...what do I do?
Many people wonder how to get more reviews. It’s simple: Respond to them.
Responding created engagement through an open dialog. This also creates fresh content. Search engines love to crawl fresh content! It also shows that you care about your clients and their feedback. It’s almost like making a house call. This is the kind of interaction prospective clients like to see. Especially from someone in health care. It’s expected. Hint: Remember to use effective keywords in your responses.
It should also become part of your daily dialog with clients to simply ask for reviews. Whether this is something they can do on an iPad as they leave the office, from an email you send to them after their visit. Remember each client you see daily is an opportunity for a new review. They are your best online mouthpieces. You can create a link to send to your clients to make it simple for them to review you. Click here to find out how!
I need help with this process...what options do I have?
Managing your online reputation and reviews can be overwhelming and take you away from doing what you do best...being a Chiropractor! Using a tool like our Chiropractic Online Review Builder can take the guesswork out of how to go about this. We are currently offering to waive the $100 set up fee for this service. Click here to take advantage of this offer! Once it’s in place it literally does the work for you. All you need to focus on is making your clients happy and encouraging them to leave you online reviews! Take your Online Marketing to the next level and consider one of our Online Marketing Plans. We can set up your Google MyBusiness, set up Chiropractic Automated Social Media, Citations and so much more. With our expert tips and tricks, you can dominate your local market!
In next week’s blog, we will continue to give you tips about Online Reviews and Online Reputation Management. If you would like to find out more about any of our results based and proven services please click here to schedule a 1-on-1 call . We're not a pushy sales organization. We are happy to simply answer your questions.
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