7.5 C
Manchester
Thursday, April 3, 2025
BusinessHow do Google reviews affect your business?

How do Google reviews affect your business?

Customer reviews online can have a big impact on a business, even if it doesn’t base its activity on online sales.

Physical businesses are not exempt from public and digital judgment of customers, who increasingly go online to post their opinions and to check the reputation of a business before buying. 

On Google, the ‘Google My Business’ listing is a favoured place for users to consult reviews, But another alternative is Avensure Reviews Manchester and directories like Tripadvisor or Foursquare, which also hold weight when it comes to building a company’s online reputation. 

Having reviews (and good reviews) is one of the main factors why consumers trust to choose a business. According to a report by Trustpilot, positive reviews weigh more when deciding to buy than the speed of technical service or the quality of the products.

The value of Google reviews

According to the ReviewTrackers study cited above, 80% of users do not trust businesses with ratings of less than 4 stars (out of 5) and up to 94% have avoided a business after reading a bad review.

Negative reviews are an evil to avoid, but with certain considerations. Google takes reviews into account when positioning a business in the search engine. It takes into account both the quality and the quantity. 

The number of reviews that a business has is an indicator for Google that it is popular and busy, so having some negative reviews, among many positive ones, will not undermine the positioning, since the search engine interprets it as something natural.

In other words, although it is clear that a business needs a very good rating to attract customers – not scare them away – a negative review is not the end of the world. Popular businesses will have more reviews and, possibly more negative reviews, something that will always be better than having very few reviews that are all positive.

How to manage reviews on Google

Below you can read a series of good practices:

  • Always respond: According to Google’s own data, companies that respond to reviews are considered 1.7 times more trustworthy than those that don’t. Responding to positive reviews by showing gratitude helps build loyalty. Addressing negative reviews politely shows empathy and interest in improving, as well as giving potential customers a clue that they will be treated well if they have a problem.
  • Do not delete reviews: Most platforms, including Google, only allow a review to be deleted if it is proven to be false or if it violates their policies, usually when the user reviews the wrong business, it is SPAM, it provides false information or it contains insults. If Google deems it inappropriate, it will delete the review once it is marked as inappropriate, but do not be tempted to ‘report’ any bad review, because the system can notice and end up harming you.
  • Encourage customers to leave reviews: You can do this in person or with a call to action on your website or in your email signature.
  • Check reviews frequently: If you have a bad review and don’t address it until many days later, the dissatisfied customer may have already badmouthed your business to their family and friends, adding to your negative reputation.
Helen Greaney
Helen Greaney
I'm a journalist with more than 18 years' experience on local, regional and national newspapers, as well as PR and digital marketing. Crime and the courts is my specialist area but I'm also keen to hear your stories concerning Manchester and the greater North West region.
Latest

Work starts on a permanent home for Star Radcliffe Academy

Work has begun on creating a permanent home for Star Radcliffe Academy. The secondary school is the first in Radcliffe for over a decade, offering...

Two men arrested in money laundering crackdown

Warrants were carried out yesterday as part of an operation cracking down on money laundering in Greater Manchester. Two men, aged 30 and 25, have...

Investigators appeal following road traffic collision in Wigan

Police are appealing for witnesses following a road collision in Leigh, Wigan. At around 3pm on Monday, officers were called to the junction of Kirkhall...

Daredevil Malcolm Guest forsakes wheelchair for charity zip wire challenge

Malcolm Guest is taking to the skies for a zip wire challenge in aid of the MS Therapy Centre. On April 15, the 64-year-old from...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Two men arrested in money laundering crackdown

Warrants were carried out yesterday as part of an operation cracking down on money laundering in Greater Manchester. Two men, aged 30 and 25, have...

Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raises £40,000 at 2025 Gala Dinner

A night of dinner, dancing and a surprise DJ set from Andy Burnham has raised £40,000 for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity – more than...

Charity funds critical care car for North West Air Ambulance

The North West Air Ambulance Charity (NWAA) has received funding for a new critical care car to add to its fleet, thanks to a...

Economic survey reveals inflation is ‘number one concern’ for Greater Manchester businesses

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has released the findings of its Quarterly Economic Survey, providing a decisive snapshot of the region's economic health amidst...

More News

Kaur Sutherland Champions Wellbeing-Focused Conveyancing Practice

As demands on the conveyancing sector continue to rise, law firms are being challenged to maintain quality, stay profitable, and look after the mental...

Economic survey reveals inflation is ‘number one concern’ for Greater Manchester businesses

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has released the findings of its Quarterly Economic Survey, providing a decisive snapshot of the region's economic health amidst...

Clarke Bell Reports Sharp Rise in Solvent Liquidations Amid Economic Pressures

Leading insolvency firm Clarke Bell has revealed a striking month-on-month rise in Members’ Voluntary Liquidations (MVLs), completing nearly four times as many solvent closures...