If you’ve ever searched Yelp for a local restaurant to try or checked out a Google rating of a theatre before you buy tickets to a show, you value the input of people who have direct knowledge of what you want or need. But do local reviews matter when it comes to your SEO ranking?
Online Reviews
A few short years ago, signing a company’s guest book was a way to leave your positive — or negative — feedback for the owner and future guests. In the digital age, however, online reviews have become more critical than ever in determining what people think about your business.
Do search engines care what people write on your online review? As it turns out, yes. SEO, or search engine optimization, is Google’s way of ranking your website among all the other sites of its kind on the internet. The higher your ranking, the closer to the top of the page you will show up when people search for relevant keywords. Best bar in Key West. Landscapers in Indianapolis. If you want to succeed, you have to play by Google’s rules.
Local reviews impact your SEO because Google realizes that the majority of online reviews come from real people. The more people are chatting about you and your company, the better ranking you can get from Google.
How to Get Better Online Reviews
The best way to get authentic local reviews from your customers is to interact with them in meaningful ways. Although it sounds cliché, reaching out to your clients and asking their opinion is a simple, yet usually, effective way to encourage them to let you know what they thought.
Just remember: Not all news is good news. Be prepared for constructive criticism and even bouts of negativity. Research shows that ratings and reviews are the most important things that people consider when choosing between local businesses. If you get some bad press, don’t ignore it! Reach out and make it right.
Moose May offers a variety of digital marketing solutions for companies of all sizes. From social media strategies to creating a full array of website blog content, Moose May can help take your brand to the next level. Contact us today to learn more, and be sure to check out our blog for more useful tips and tricks to make the most of your digital imprint!