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Outreach Monks

Day: July 29, 2022

16 Easy Ways to Get More Google Reviews

Posted on by sahil
Google Reviews

Customer reviews hold incredible power for marketers and businesses. Reviews are an instrumental part of research marketing because you can hear what the people want directly from them. Customers are always looking for reviews before purchasing any product. They want something with the stamp of approval of positive reviews.

Testimonials and reviews build trust and credibility, making it easier to draw new customers and increase the chances of conversion. Google reviews are an excellent platform for customers to say what they think about your offerings. Google reviews play a significant role in generating leads while also giving you an idea of what tweak you can make to take your business to the next level. Let’s expound more on the essence of these reviews, and how to increase Google reviews.

Benefits of Google Reviews

Here are some benefits that further prove the importance of Google Reviews:

  • Ramp up Reviews, Earn leads

Generating leads is essential in making the most sales. You want new customers knocking on your door and lining up for your offerings. That can only happen if potential customers trust your business. Building your Google reviews works wonders in boosting your credibility. New customers will have zero qualms purchasing products from a site that everyone is raving about in the reviews.

  • Gain positive reviews, Drive up Sales

More leads automatically translate to more purchases and better sales for your business. An increase in sales means that the profitability of your business is enhanced. The more reviews you have on your business, the higher the likelihood of making sales.

  • Boost Long-Term Rankings

Search engine giants are constantly working towards offering their customers the best. Part of that involves providing them with the best resources for their queries and concerns. For that reason, Google prioritizes sites with frequent positive reviews. Reviews are a local ranking factor. The more you have, the more chances of being on the coveted first page of search engine results pages (SERPs).

The initial requirements for obtaining Google reviews

You need to put your metaphorical house to get Google Reviews. Here are a few things to set right:

  • Understand Google’s Policies

For starters, you need to be within the confines of the terms of service when looking for reviews. That involves not offering any rewards to bribe customers to leave glowing reviews.

  • Your Business Needs to be a Place on Google Maps

Your business needs to have a business profile with a location pinned on the map.

  • Strive for a Verified Google Business Profile

You can create a listing on Google Maps, but that will not automatically allow you control over the listing. You need to verify ownership of the business profile by creating a Google My Business account.

How to get more Google reviews?

You know how instrumental Google reviews are for business. But how do you get more Google Reviews? Here are some of the ways to increase google reviews:

Google Reviews

1. Understand the Process

Your customers need to understand the process of leaving a review to leave one. Help them navigate the process. All they need to do is open Google Maps, search the business name, click on it, go to the reviews section, and then take about a minute to write a review. Make it easier to leave reviews by having a link on your website that takes them to the review page. That way, leaving reviews is not too much of a hassle. The easier it is, the more likely they will do it.

2. Create a Google Page Review Shortcut

Again, customers don’t want to go through the tedious process of writing a review. Customers will happily avoid leaving reviews if they have to follow a long process. Make it effort-free by creating a shortcut link and posting it on your website.

3. Shorten the Shortcut!

Having a shortcut link on your website is commendable. However, it will be much better if you customized the review link and shortened it. That makes for a cleaner review shortcut link that you will be happy to present to customers. And they will be more than willing to leave more Google reviews for your business.

4. Connect your Website to your Google Reviews

A clear call to action will encourage more customers to leave reviews. Ensure that the CTA is easy to find and clutter-free.

5. Make a Google Review Page on Your Business Site

Instead of having only a link to the Google review site, go the extra mile and dedicate one webpage to Google Reviews. The page will contain all reviews for your offering. You could also include a CTA to write reviews. Seeing other reviews and the ease of leaving reviews will encourage a customer to write more. It will also inspire prospects going through the site to be customers (If the reviews are positive).

6. Add a Google review CTA on your Site’s Footer

If having a dedicated page for the reviews does not seem like your cup of tea, consider having the CTA on your website footer. That relieves you of the pressure of deciding where to place it. You can either use an image or anchor text depending on your preference.

7. Craft some ‘leave us a review’ Cards

Reviews can also come from your offline connections. One way to encourage people to review your business is by giving them physical cards that indicate something to that effect. Offer customers the review card after serving them. The card needs to have a clear link to your review page, making it easy for them to leave reviews.

You can also help them see that leaving a review does not have to be tedious or time-consuming. Try to encourage them by telling them that it is okay for the review to be as short as a sentence long. You could also give them the option of leaving a star rating. Using phrases like ‘drop a review’ instead of ‘write a review’ will make them find it less cumbersome.

8. Request for Google reviews in Person

People walk into your business all the time. Why not ask them to leave a Google Review? If your services are satisfactory, the customers will be more than happy to rave about your offerings on the Google review page.

9. Create a Google Review Email Campaign Drive

Email marketing is a potent way to garner more Google business reviews. If you constantly send newsletters via email, you can include a personalized message urging the people on your verified email list to leave a Google Review. Be straightforward. There is no need to beat around the bush. Neither is it necessary to coerce customers into leaving reviews. Position the CTA at the footer of the newsletter. You can also use a Dynamic QR Code Generator to gather more Google business reviews.

10. Add Google review Opportunities in Your Business Surveys

Surveys are a great way to gauge the effectiveness of your offerings in meeting your customers’ needs. Surveys allow you the opportunity to get necessary in-app feedback. It also shows the customers that you have their best interests in mind. Take advantage of the momentum of customers who agree to fill out surveys and ask them to do you the extra favor of reviewing your business on Google.

11. Request for Reviews on Social Media

Everyone is on social media nowadays. That makes the platforms ripe for conversational marketing. Ask your social media followers that have interacted with your goods and services to leave Google reviews of their feedback.

12. Seek Google Reviews From Suppliers & Business Partners

Vendors and partners are not customers. That said, they know how it is to work with you regularly. That counts for much. Offer to write reviews for their business. That way, they will be more willing to leave one in return.

13. Leave Genuine Responses to your existing Google reviews

People will want to leave reviews if they know someone on the other side cares about their thoughts and feedback. Respond to existing reviews to signal other potential reviewers that leaving a Google review is worth their time. Show gratitude for positive reviews. The positive ones will attract more. It is equally necessary to address negative reviews promptly and politely. Show interest in resolving the issues. Do not delete bad reviews. Users will clock that and avoid your business.

14. Craft a Bespoke Google review instruction video

If you suspect users are not leaving Google reviews because they are unsure how to, help them know how to do that. Creating an instructional video will do an excellent job explaining how to navigate the process of leaving reviews.

Here is a good example:

Source: Zanet Design

15. Insert a Google Review Link in your Email Signature

You can also ask for more Google reviews by including a link to review your business in your email signature. It is an intelligent way to ask for reviews from your customers without actually asking directly!

16. Keep it Real!

There is the temptation to buy good reviews to boost your business. Try to resist the urge. Internet users have a way of knowing and flagging reviews that do not seem legitimate. Also, buying reviews show customers that you have something to hide. Google can flag the purchased reviews and take them down. That can shake your site’s credibility, discouraging potential customers from interacting with your offerings.

Wrapping up

All the tips above mean little if the quality of your services leaves a lot to be desired. Your chief goal should be providing stellar services. That will push customers to leave positive Google reviews without much persuasion.

A Guide on How to Redirect GoDaddy Domain

Posted on by Simran
How to redirect godaddy domain

Domain forwarding is where a domain name redirects visitors to a completely different URL and domain name. Essentially, a user visiting a website that uses domain forwarding goes to another URL instead. The domain name they entered may not remain in the address bar. The URL displayed on the address bar is the selected one that the domain is forwarding to its users. This article will delve into the reasons to redirect your domain including how to redirect GoDaddy domain:

Reasons to Redirect your Domain

For starters, there are several reasons that necessitate domain forwarding, such as:

  • Change of business name

When a business changes its name, the domain name changes too. It is, therefore, necessary to find a way to direct users that visit the old domain to the new one. Failure to which a business risks losing traffic that they had gained with the old domain name. Domain forwarding makes it easier for individuals to retain their loyal patrons.

  • Frequent change of job

The frequency of job changes differs in various professions. Industries like real estate, insurance, and sales tend to be prone to more changes. If you work in such a field, your best bet would be securing a domain that would be unique to you and that you won’t need to change. However, if you have worked in different companies and had your domain name related to that company, you may want to change the domain name to that which ties you to the new company. Domain forwarding ensures that your older clients find you. You do not need to update your business card and redistribute it to your clients. The address on your former business card continues to be valid as it will redirect clients to your new browser.

  • Multiple domains

Domain forwarding comes in handy for individuals with multiple domains seeking to centralize their operations. Domain Forwarding will direct visitors from various subdomains to the main one. Since you are operating your business on one website, it will be best for the other domains to forward traffic to your main website.

  • Website Redesign

Some businesses have a temporary site to direct their visitors to when building or redesigning their site. Domain forwarding comes in handy in such instances.

How to Redirect your GoDaddy Domain

Seeing how essential domain forwarding can be for businesses and individuals, it is vital to know how to do it. GoDaddy makes the entire process as seamless as can be. Here is how to redirect GoDaddy domain:

Step 1

Log into GoDaddy.

Click on your name (It should be on the top right).

On the options that appear, Click on ‘My Products’.

Step 2

Look at the listed domain name and click the ‘Manage’ button.

Step 3

The manage button should lead you to the main options area for your domain.

Go to the ‘Additional Settings’ box. (You may have to scroll down a little to get there).

Click on ‘Manage DNS’.

Step 4

Clicking in Manage DNS gets you in the DNS management section of your domain. Any changes in this section will affect the functionality of your domain. You, therefore, need to have extra caution. Scroll to the bottom to find the ‘Forwarding’ Box (It will be on the right). Then, click on Add for the domain.

If you do not see the forwarding box, it could be because your domain does not point to the default nameservers for GoDaddy. If your knowledge of DNS management is wanting, you may need to seek the advice of a developer to help you. That will help avoid further complications that may compromise your website and domain name.

Step 5

Insert the link you want to the domain to forward to after clicking ‘Add’. Choose the Forward Type you want. It could be permanent or temporary.

What is the difference between Permanent and Temporary domain forwarding?

Despite the name, the effects of permanent domain forwarding do not have to be everlasting. You can always go back and stop or change the domain forwarding even after choosing it. The only element giving it a sense of permanence is that search engines like Google will do away with page rankings and traffic for the site and move the information to the new domain. On the other hand, with temporary domain forwarding, the information on the original domain remains as is.

404 Error

Does it matter whether you forward temporarily or permanently?

It does. In a situation where you are building a new site or redesigning your existing website, you may need to send visitors to a coming soon site. Permanent domain forwarding could make you risk losing all your traffic and information to a temporary website. In such an instance, you may want to use temporary domain forwarding to avoid losing all the traffic you built on your old website. You will not need to start over when your website goes live since you have all your domain authority and search rankings.

The only time when it may be safe to permanently forward a domain is if you never plan to use the site or domain again. If the change is to serve you a little while, temporarily forwarding your domain is your best bet.

What is the difference between Forward Only and Forward with Masking?

Forwarding your domain with GoDaddy allows you to either ‘Forward Only’ or ‘Forward with Masking’. What is the difference?

‘Forward with Masking’ option hides the destination domain name for the visitors. They will only see the domain name that they input in the browser search bar. This option is not the best since most search engines view it as a way to fool your visitors. Google may also flag your content as duplicate since similar content will live in two domains- your personal domain and the actual domain. Duplicate content harms your search engine rankings, which are necessary for drawing more traffic to your site. The best option is Forward Only.

‘Forward Only’ allows the visitors to automatically see the domain they have been redirected to on the address bar. This option is the best since it allows for transparency and increases your site’s credibility. The fact that it does not ruin your search engine rankings is a huge plus.

Wrapping up

Domain Forwarding comes in handy and offers value by providing a constant online address for businesses and personal brands. It also allows users to use a domain name before their website is complete by linking to a blog, social media account, etc. Fortunately, with GoDaddy, the process of domain forwarding is straightforward and as smooth as can be!