Google reviews have become indispensable these days. They are an important part of your online reputation and give potential customers an idea of ​​how other customers have experienced your company. High scoring reviews can win over customers, while low scores can deter them and lead them to your competitors. Google reviews should therefore not be underestimated. They are often the first impression people get of your company. In other words, your Google review score can mean the difference between winning or losing a new customer. This article aims to help you understand how to improve your Google review score and thus strengthen your online reputation. We will guide you through the different aspects of Google reviews, from understanding their importance to implementing strategies to improve your score and of course how the i-Reserve reservation system can help you.

Why are Google reviews so important?

Google reviews are important to rental companies for several reasons. They contribute to your company's online visibility, help build your reputation and gain customer trust.

Visibility is essential for a successful business. According to research from AudienceGain, Google reviews contribute to improved rankings in search results, leading to more visibility for your business. In other words, the higher you rank in the search results, the more likely it is that potential customers will find your company.

Reputation is another important point. Positive Google reviews can make your business more credible in the eyes of potential customers. They show that you are reliable and that you offer value to your customers.

Finally, customer confidence. According to NVS Design, having positive reviews contributes to gaining customer trust. Customers are more likely to do business with a company that has good reviews because they trust they will have a positive experience.

Google reviews are an important tool for companies to increase your online visibility, build your reputation and gain customer trust.

How do Google reviews work?

When a customer wants to share his experience with your company, he can leave a review on Google. These reviews will then appear under your business name in your Google Business profile .

The scores on Google are determined by an average of all received reviews, expressed in stars. This star rating is based on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 star represents 'poor service' and 5 stars represents 'excellent service'.

But it's not just about the number of stars. Google also analyzes the recency, frequency, quality and quantity of reviews when ranking companies in search results. So getting new, high-quality reviews regularly can help improve your ranking in Google search results.

So, the more positive reviews you collect, the better your online reputation will be. And remember, every review - whether positive or negative - is an opportunity to learn and improve your service.

5 strategies to increase your google review score

  1. Encourage customers to leave reviews: The first thing you can do is actively ask customers to leave review This could be after a successful rental, or even via email after their experience with your company. Don't be afraid to ask; many customers are willing to share their experiences when asked.
  2. Respond to existing reviews: Responding to your reviews, both positive and negative, shows that you value your customers and listen to them. It also provides an opportunity to address any issues and improve your customer service.
  3. Provides excellent customer service: The best way to get positive reviews is to provide great service. Ensure that every aspect of the customer experience - from first contact to completion of the rental - is smooth and enjoyable.
  4. Use negative feedback as a learning opportunity: Negative reviews aren't necessarily a bad thing. They can provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve. By taking this feedback to heart and showing that you are willing to learn and improve, you can earn your customers' trust and possibly even turn a negative review into a positive one.
  5. Promote your Google reviews on other platforms: Share your positive Google reviews on your website or social media to bring them to the attention of a larger audience. This may encourage others to leave a review as well.

By consistently applying these strategies, you can increase your Google review score and thus strengthen your online reputation.

Collect reviews via the i-Reserve reservation system

You also have the option to create an email template online reservation system An alternative is to add an extra section in the confirmation email in which customers are invited to leave a Google review.

How does this work? email workflow using our reservation system . This will automatically send an email whenever the status of a reservation has changed. This is useful for automatically sending confirmations, reminders, but also for requesting a review.

Start increasing your Google review score

Google reviews are an important part of your business. They help you online visibility , build a strong reputation and gain the trust of your customers.
Your score is the average of all reviews received, which are then displayed in your Google Business profile. But remember, it's not just about the number of stars – the recency, frequency, quality and quantity of reviews also play a role in your ranking in search results. To increase your Google review score, you can implement several strategies. Encourage customers to leave reviews, respond to existing reviews, provide excellent customer service, learn from negative feedback, and promote your positive reviews on other platforms. Consistently implementing these strategies can have a significant impact on your online reputation and your success as a rental business.

January 2024