More Google reviews and a strong Business Profile
The two biggest levers for being found locally. You can start on this today.
Two things largely decide whether people nearby find you: your Google Business Profile and your reviews. You can work on both today, without any tech.
Below you will find what to fill in on your profile, how to ask for a review properly, and which rules Google sets for that.
Why these two?
When someone in your area searches for what you do, Google shows the map with business profiles first. Your score, your number of reviews and your category are right there.
That is often the first thing someone sees of you, before your website. You can work on both yourself: a few hours to set it up, then a fixed habit.
How to ask for reviews
First, find your direct review link. Look up your business in Google's Place ID Finder and paste the ID after search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=. That link opens the review window right away.
Ask at a fixed moment: after every job well done, with a short message. For example: "Thanks for your business. Would you share your experience in a Google review? You can use this link."
If you work on location, leave a card with a QR code to the same link. A thank-you page on your site with that link helps too.
There are rules though:
✓Ask everyone the same way, not just happy customers.
✓Never reward a review, not even with a discount.
✓Do not filter beforehand. Checking first whether someone is happy and only then sending the link is forbidden by Google.
✓Respond to every review, including the less positive ones. Short and friendly is enough.
How to set up your Business Profile
Your Business Profile is the block with the map, photos and reviews that Google shows next to the search results. Run through these points:
✓Claim your profile and verify it.
✓Pick the right primary category, it carries the most weight.
✓Fill in your services.
✓Keep your opening hours up to date, also around holidays.
✓Use real photos of your work, no stock photos.
✓Answer the questions visitors ask on your profile.
✓Make your name, address and phone number exactly the same on your site and your profile.
What it gets you
Google names three things that decide the order in the map results: relevance, distance and prominence. Your reviews and your filled-in profile count towards the first and the last.
AI assistants also lean on that data when they recommend a business.
Do not expect a jump within a month. The effect builds up slowly and then stays.
Rather outsource the profile work?
Customers of Sneljewebsiteonline set up their Business Profile together with us. We do the setup and think along.
What we do
Set up your profile and keep it current. Working on being found continuously is what Findability does, for €79 per month.
What you do
Ask for reviews. Only you talk to your customers, so that part stays yours.
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