+(713) 492-0025 [email protected] Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm

1415 North Loop West #950
Houston, TX 77008

(713) 492-0025
Tips for Replying to Google Reviews

Tips for Replying to Google Reviews

Google for Small Business shares tips for replying to Google reviews to help you improve your placement online and engage with your customers:

Customers can leave reviews many places online, including on your free Business Profile on Google. Reviews are important to both businesses and customers, and offer a great opportunity for businesses to engage with customers and build loyalty.

This lesson covers best practices for responding to the reviews customers leave for your business online.

Customer reviews, and your responses to them, are visible on your Business Profile on Google.

Why responding to reviews is important

As a business, you probably read your online reviews to keep up with how customers are perceiving your business. You’ll also want to respond to some of them, both positive and negative.

According to consumers, businesses that respond to reviews are seen as 1.7X more trustworthy than businesses who don’t (76% vs. 46%)1. Not only does responding to reviews support trust-building, it also gives you an opportunity to humanize your business, show customers you care, and demonstrates professionalism.

When responding, keep in mind that your responses are public for everyone to read. You’ll want to keep your message short and courteous (even if you disagree with the reviewer), and avoid getting too personal or being salesy by offering incentives or advertisements.

According to consumers, businesses that respond to reviews are seen as 1.7X more trustworthy than businesses who don’t.1

Claim your Business Profile to respond

If you want to reply to your reviews on Google, you’ll first need to claim your Business Profile. You’ll then have access to respond publicly to your reviews.

How to respond to good reviews

For positive reviews, you don’t need to reply to every reviewer, but a “thank you” is often appreciated. You can also use your response to share new or relevant information, but don’t make it too sales-focused—they’re already a happy customer.

Here are some examples to get you started:

  • “Thank you! We hope to see you again soon.”
  • “Thanks for sharing your experience.”
  • “We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your experience.”

How to respond to bad reviews

Negative reviews can sting. While nobody wants a negative review, most businesses will receive one at some point. Here are some tips on replying to negative reviews:

  • Respond in a timely manner. Customers will appreciate a prompt response.
  • Stay professional and courteous. Never lash out and avoid taking the review personally.
  • Understand your customer’s experience with your business before responding. If someone mentions a problem with a product or service, investigate to see what may have gone wrong. Be honest about mistakes made and steps you’ve taken (or will take) to remedy the situation.
  • Apologize when appropriate but don’t take responsibility for things that weren’t your fault. Show compassion and empathy for the customer.
  • Offer to talk it over. If this is the first you’re hearing of the complaint, invite the customer to email or call so that you can try to sort out the matter with them.
  • Show that you’re authentic and genuine. Sign off with your name or initials to show you’re taking the matter seriously and that a real person is listening.

Need some additional inspiration? Let’s take a look at some examples of thoughtful responses to negative reviews:

  • “Thank you for the feedback, Thea. I’m sorry to hear that you had to wait longer than expected for your table. Our goal is always to seat customers as quickly as possible and we are always working to make our process even more efficient. We hope to have the chance to serve you again. – Sam (owner)”
  • “Hi Priya – I see you left a 1 star rating, but no details about your experience with us. I would love to hear more about how we can serve you better. – K.L. (lead stylist)”
  • “John, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I looked into it and you are completely right – it took us 3 days to return your estimate, which is entirely too long and not in line with our promise of a 24 hour turnaround. This is not how we do business and we would appreciate the chance to make it up to you. Please give me a call directly. – Maria (manager)”
  • “Thanks for stopping by to check out our store! We do offer discounts a few times a year, which might bring our prices closer to the range you are looking for. Please join our mailing list if you’d like to be notified about our sales. – Joe (clerk)”
  • “Javier, I’m sorry to hear that you were frustrated by our 15-day return timeline. Unfortunately, we cannot change this policy, but we do try to make it clear with signs in store and on our website so that it won’t be a surprise to our shoppers. We hope you’ll shop with us again. – Sandra”
  • “Oh no! We want your new plants to thrive when they get home. I’d be happy to share some tips on watering and placement if you want to give me a call. And, of course, we stand by our 30-day happy plant policy if you’d prefer to replace them. – S.M.”

While you may want a negative review to disappear from your Business Profile, Google won’t remove a review unless it violates our content policy by including something like fake, illegal, or offensive content. If you feel it does, you can always flag it for Google to investigate.

Learn from your experience and show customers you care

In general, responding to reviews — positive and negative alike — shows you’re an engaged business owner who cares not only about your business, but about your customers, too.

We all want 100% of our reviews to be positive, but even the best-run, most customer-focused businesses will receive bad reviews from time to time. When a negative review comes in, use it as a learning experience for how to improve your business in the future and how to showcase your responsiveness. Respond calmly, honestly, and openly. The way you respond to a negative situation can reflect positively on your business, and a thoughtful post-review interaction can even encourage the customer to update their review.

Follow these tips for replying to Google reviews to improve your online presence.

SEO Marketing For Businesses in Houston, TX

If you are not making efforts to optimize your website, you are falling behind because your competitors already have begun implementing SEO design strategies to their websites. As the gap grows between how much effort your competition puts into their online marketing and how little work you put into your website, the more difficult it will become to engage with customers online. The Houston Small Business Marketing team works hard to help your business stay relevant in this online-focused world by tracking the latest strategies in online marketing for businesses.

Don’t lose potential customers and become a force within your industry! From excellent web design to social media management, the team at Houston Small Business Marketing is here to help you broaden your reach and grow your audience! If you are tired of giving away potential customers to your competition, contact us today! We dedicate ourselves to working closely with business owners to come up with a marketing plan that helps them succeed. We provide each customer with a free consultation for your website and social media to let you know how you can improve your placement online and grow your engagement with local potential customers looking for your services.

Houston Small Business Marketing 
713-492-0025
1415 North Loop West #950 
Houston, TX 77008 
View our Website 
View our Facebook Page 
View our Google Listing

When small and medium-sized businesses embark on their journey to establish an online presence, they often place a high priority on finding cost-effective ways to attract customers through internet marketing. This involves a mix of various online strategies, such as local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Maps marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) management, reputation management, content marketing, social media marketing, and web design. However, the implementation of these strategies can be both expensive and time-consuming. Small and medium-sized businesses frequently grapple with common challenges, including cash flow problems, the need for significant capital expenditures, and a lack of in-depth knowledge in the field of internet marketing. These challenges are part of their daily operations. For these businesses, finding a viable and affordable alternative for internet marketing in the specific locale of Houston can be quite challenging. This is where Houston Small Business Marketing steps in. As a company specializing in internet marketing services tailored for small and medium-sized businesses in the Houston area, we offer solutions to help mitigate the costs associated with online marketing. Our primary focus is on assisting smaller businesses in Houston, and we excel at collaborating closely with them to develop customized internet marketing strategies. By partnering with us, you can benefit from reduced costs for your Houston-based internet marketing efforts. If you are seeking personalized strategies to enhance your online presence and attract more customers in the Houston area, do not hesitate to get in touch with our office. We are here to help you achieve your internet marketing goals affordably and effectively.

Houston Small Business Marketing is a comprehensive digital marketing company located in Houston, Texas. Our team specializes in collaborating with business owners who aspire to grow their enterprises and expand their online presence through tailored marketing strategies tailored to their specific industry. With a proven track record of success, we have partnered with clients from a wide range of professions, aiding them in reaching their goals and expanding their businesses. Whether you are a new startup or an established business seeking to boost your online visibility, we have the expertise to assist you. Our marketing agency in Houston provides a wide range of services, including reputation management, social media marketing, web design and development, Google Maps listing optimization, and content marketing. These components are seamlessly integrated to create a winning marketing strategy for your company, enabling you to stand out among your competitors. The services we offer can be quite time-consuming for business owners to tackle on their own. By working with our team, you can build your online presence, expand your reach, and grow organically, allowing you to concentrate on what matters most – running your business. For small and medium-sized businesses, competing online against corporations and industry giants presents unique challenges. Our team specializes in assisting smaller businesses in such scenarios because we recognize the significance of independent company success in our society. We are a results-oriented full-service digital marketing agency that adopts an inbound lead approach to internet marketing in Houston. Our customized approach delivers qualified leads to business owners, leading to trusted conversion rate optimization. This can manifest in various ways depending on your company goals.

Whether you aim to increase website traffic, enable clients to book appointments through an online portal, improve local search result rankings, or enhance your social media presence, we have the solutions you need. At Houston Small Business Marketing, we understand that a robust marketing plan begins with a well-designed and mobile-responsive website that attracts customers. The design of your website also significantly influences SEO and overall online ranking. We can assess your website to identify factors that may hinder higher online rankings. A poorly designed website can discourage potential customers and hinder your online visibility. When you collaborate with our meticulous web developers, you can be sure your website makes a strong first impression online. For businesses in competitive industries, focusing on online visibility can provide solutions for success. Developing a successful and enduring brand requires various elements, but without visibility, building a customer base becomes a challenge. Online marketing enhances your businesses visibility, connecting you with real-world customers who genuinely need the services your brand offers. Online marketing allows you to target a specific audience with the intent of engaging with a business in your industry. At Houston Small Business Marketing, we work with your brand to showcase your services and highlight what makes your company unique compared to competitors. A broad spectrum of businesses can benefit from our services, whether you are a service-based company, a top attorney at a legal firm, or a medical group looking to attract more patients. Our online marketing services are designed to help your business achieve its goals. If you are eager to expand your business, our team can create a customized digital strategy that aligns with your specific requirements. Whether you want to dominate local areas on Google Maps, generate more appointments through your website, or gain an edge over your online competitors, we have the expertise to assist you. Houston Small Business Marketing employs digital marketing specialists with hands-on experience in online marketing, including those who have launched their own businesses. This means we can develop a Houston internet marketing plan tailored to your specific industry and needs.

In the realm of local SEO, businesses can pursue a variety of objectives that significantly shape their strategic approach. Among the primary aims for many businesses is the quest to enhance their visibility, a feat often achieved by optimizing their Google Map Listing. The importance of achieving high visibility on Google Map Listings in local search and business directories cannot be overstated, as it translates to more direct customer contact and increased foot traffic, complementing the benefits of website visits. Our dedicated team collaborates closely with your company to facilitate your inclusion in the coveted Google local pack or 3-pack. This refers to the first three business listings that prominently feature within the Google Map section when users search for businesses in their vicinity. Local businesses, upon securing a spot in this select group, experience a surge in website traffic, heightened phone inquiries, and a substantial increase in the conversion rate, effectively turning online users into real-world customers. To paint a comprehensive picture, it is crucial to acknowledge that individuals employ various search engines when scouting for local businesses. Platforms like Google, Bing, Yelp, and Apple Maps come into play. To assemble the data required for local search results, search engines rely on a diverse range of signals. These include local blog content, social profile pages, internal links, and accurate and up-to-date citations. By incorporating these elements, search engines can provide users with the most pertinent and relevant local search results. If you are eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of Houston Local SEO, we invite you to reach out to our team today. We are here to demystify the world of local search optimization and help your business thrive in the digital landscape.

Convenient Monthly Plan

As you gain more business through us, your business will expand, allowing you to do more online. We have a convenient monthly plan for you.

Free Consultation
Houston Internet Marketing

CONNECT WITH US

Twitter Facebook Youtube Pinterest Instagram Linkedin