Types of Business Reviews
Local Reviews
Google Reviews
Google reviews are powered via Google Business Profile.
For local reviews, Google Reviews is your go-to platform. These reviews not only enhance your company’s ranking on Google Maps but also serve as a powerful organic ranking signal for SEO.
Your ratings will be prominently displayed on Google Maps and on your Google Business Profile.
Google Store Ratings
Google Store Ratings are the star ratings that appear under your Google Ads, providing instant credibility right from the search engine. If you’re using Google Ads, Shopper Approved guarantees a positive ROI or your money back.
Store Ratings are effective for both service-based businesses and eCommerce websites. A great feature is that every Google Third-Party Review Partner offers a widget, allowing you to embed your reviews directly on your website.
Additionally, your Store Ratings will be visible on Google Shopping listings.
Google Product Reviews
Google Customer Reviews
Google offers a program called Google Customer Reviews, designed specifically for online stores (eCommerce). When a customer makes a purchase on your website, Google will ask them—usually via a popup—if they can follow up in a few days to gather their feedback.
Structured Data Markup for Reviews
Reviews can appear as rich snippets directly in Google organic search results, thanks to various types of structured data markup. The image below demonstrates how to implement structured data markup for reviews.
To achieve this, you’ll need to hire a programmer, find a suitable plugin, or utilize one of Google’s Third-Party Review Partners.
Google allows ratings for the following content types:
Directory Reviews
Yelp
This is great for organic search ‘if’ you can make the reviews stick. We stopped getting reviews on Yelp because, as you can see in the image, reviews get filtered into “not currently recommended”.
Planet Marketing recommends the free version of Yelp to collect reviews from Yelpers.
Many business owners hate Yelp. This is so widely known that Amazon has a movie called “Billion Dollar Bully” which specifically targets Yelp.
BBB
BBB is a great place to get reviews. The only problem is that if you don’t guide your customers to leave a positive 5-star review, they’ll probably only leave negative reviews, especially on BBB.
If you’re collecting reviews for your company, you should get some here and on Google Business Profile, especially if you have a local-based business
Planet Marketing’s Reputation Management Software
Planet Marketing has a program to get you onto 20 directories (only the most important ones). Our software will get ensure your visibility on search engines, review sites, social sites, and directories. We will also show the accuracy of your company information across all directories.
Learn more about Planet Marketing’s Reputation Management Software.
Social Media Reviews
Facebook Business Reviews
We mention Facebook because Google displays these reviews on your Google profile and they may influence your ranking.
We recommend starting with a few reviews on Facebook but then shifting your focus to platforms with a greater impact.
For local businesses, prioritize collecting reviews on Google Local Maps, as they can drive significantly more traffic than Facebook.
However, don’t overlook the importance of Facebook reviews entirely.
For more insights on managing Facebook business reviews, click here.
LinkedIn Recommedations
You can get “Recommendations” on LinkedIn for a personal profile. While a company can get LinkedIn testimonials, it’s really hard to find.
We recommend getting LinkedIn Recommendations for freelancers who connect with other people on LinkedIn. If you have a company, you may want to focus your efforts on one of the other platforms, like Google Business Profile or one of the Google 3rd Party Review companies.
8 Reasons Why Online Reviews Are Crucial for Businesses
Online reviews are essential as they serve as a reference point for buyers worldwide. People trust them immensely when making purchasing decisions. Here are eight reasons why online reviews are important:
1. 90% of People Check Online Reviews Before Purchasing
Before making a purchase, 90% of people first check what their peers are saying about a business. This makes reviews a significant driver of commerce globally.
2. 88% of People Trust Online Reviews
According to a 2024 study by BrightLocal, 88% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, up from 81% in 2019. The fact that people trust reviews from strangers is a compelling reason for businesses to strive for positive online reviews.
3. Online Reviews Increase Sales
Online reviews play a crucial role in boosting sales. Whether a business operates globally or locally, up to 31% of people are likely to spend more on a business with positive reviews.
4. 72% of People Engage Only with Brands that Have Positive Reviews
It’s vital to ensure your reviews are positive, as 72% of people will only interact with brands with favorable reviews. Negative reviews can deter potential customers. However, addressing and resolving negative feedback can turn a dissatisfied customer into a positive reviewer.
5. Online Reviews Provide Insight into Customer Expectations
Online reviews give businesses a clearer understanding of customer expectations. As businesses grow, they can become detached from their clientele. Reading and responding to reviews helps maintain a strong relationship between a brand and its customers.
6. For Customers: Online Reviews Help Find the Best Deals
Customers benefit significantly from online reviews by getting feedback from peers who have used a product or service. For example, someone looking to buy a blender on Amazon can access reviews from people worldwide who have already purchased and used the product.
7. Online Reviews Boost SEO
Positive reviews can improve your website’s search engine visibility. Increased online discussion about your brand enhances its visibility on search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Some SEO experts claim that reviews account for 16% of local search engine ranking factors, making it crucial for businesses to generate positive reviews.
8. Reviews Foster Brand Loyalty
Reviews help boost customer loyalty. A customer who leaves a positive review is likely to return for more business. Engaging with reviews builds a loyal customer base and strengthens your brand’s reputation.
Incorporating online reviews into your business strategy can significantly impact your success by driving sales, improving SEO, and fostering customer loyalty.
Our Picks for the Best Online Review Companies
| Company | Purpose | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Google Reviews (Google Business Profile) | Local Rankings on Google Maps | Free |
| Shopper Approved | Shows ratings on Google Ads. Known as Google Store Ratings. Also, they do Google Product Reviews. | $199/mo |
| Shows directly on your Google company profile | Free | |
| Tripadvisor | For the travel industry | Free |
| BBB | Credibility, especially if your target audience is older. | Free |
| Yelp | Reviews only stick if someone reaches out to you via Yelp. If you give your customer your review link and your customer never went to your Yelp profile, your customer’s review will not be recommended. | Free |
How to Get Positive Online Reviews
Local SEO Software for Gathering Reviews
For small business owners, getting reviews can be challenging due to the demands of running their companies. Asking customers for reviews often feels like an added chore. To gather positive reviews, you’ll need to reach out to your customers via email and text message.
For business owners, getting reviews is crucial for driving sales. If people don’t trust your company, they won’t buy from you. This lack of trust often stems from either bad reviews or a lack of reviews. Fortunately, Planet Marketing’s Local SEO Software can assist you, eliminating the tedious task of manually requesting reviews from customers.
To manually collect positive reviews, go to your Google Business Profile settings. Click on ‘Share Review Form’ and send the link to all your past customers.
This method is most effective for Google Reviews but also works well with other types of business reviews, such as Google Store Ratings, Directory Reviews, and Social Media Reviews.
Reputation Management Software. Repair/Increase Your Online Reputation
At Planet Marketing, we’ve encountered many clients who have been, and continue to be, rude to their customers. For these traditional clients, we often need to repair their online reputations. Every time we assist a new client with their online reputation, their Google rankings improve. Watch our video on reputation management to learn more.
