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YOU ARE HERE: Home > Marketing Tips > Google Places Reviews

Google Places Reviews

Attract Local Visitors to Your Website
by Getting Positive Reviews on Google Places

Optimize Google Places ListingGoogle Places offers you a great opportunity for attracting local visitors to your website to get new local business. More people use online search engines like Google than any other media to find local information and businesses.

Google is the largest search engine in the world, and their "Google Places" listings are positioned at the TOP of the Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP). So, having your listing visible on Google Places is one of the best ways to promote your business online to get more website visitors and new customers.
Plus, it's FREE!

A Google Places Example:

OK, so I'm really hungry for some good Thai food and I live in Bend, Oregon. So I go to Google.com and type in "thai restaurants bend oregon" or just 'thai restaurants" (without the city and state since Google knows your location from your computer's IP Address anyway). Here are the Google Places results that I get:

Google Places SERP

You'll notice the first seven listings at the top of Google are Thai restaurant's Google Places listings which are ABOVE the "natural" ranking websites. The Google Places listings include the red place marker, their name, address, phone number and also reviews. The Google reviews are reviews from real people which include a rating from 1 to 5 stars and a written review / testimonial.

Obviously, you want as many 5-Star ratings and positive
reviews as possible to show that you're the best in town!

But how can you get more reviews?

  1. The first step in this process is to submit your business information to Google and optimize your Google Places listing (See Google Places Optimization).
  2. The next step is to build up the number of reviews on your Google Places listing by getting your customers to log-in to Google, go to your listing and type in a review for your business.

Here's how to get reviews:

  1. ASK - The best way to get people to add reviews is to simply ASK them to do so. Many will!
    • IDEA 1: You could even make a special business card or postcard and as they're leaving your business hand it to them and say "We appreciate your business, don't forget to review us on Google Places"
    • IDEA 2: Plus, you could also incorporate a coupon on the card that gives them a discount during their next visit.
    • IDEA 3: In addition, you could add referral system wording on the card that says if they refer their friends and family they'll receive a free appetizer (or whatever) next time they come in - etc, etc - whatever you want to do! Now you're really doing some smart guerilla online marketing!
  2. SEND an EMAIL - After that, you can use the letter below to remind your customers via email to give you a positive review and make it easy for them to do so by providing the direct link/URL to your Google Places listing.
    (Be sure to personalize the email letter and edit as you like.)
    1. IDEA: Incorporate the card ideas above (coupon and referral system) into your email!

BEGINNING OF LETTER >>>

SUBJECT: Review us on Google Places

At [Your Business Name] we always want to be at your serivce
and provide you with the best [Product/Service] available.

If you're satisfied with our service, one of the best kinds
of compliments we can receive is a testimonial from you! :-)

Most people search for local services online at Google Places,
and we'd love it if you would write a little something about us there.
It's easy and will help us out tremendously with getting the word out!

We appreciate your support and thank you for being part of our family.


Step 1: Click here
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=12345123451234512345
[Use your link/url here!]

Step 2: Click "Write A Review"

That’s all it takes! Thank you.

Regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Business Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP]

[Phone Number]
[www.YourSite.com]

<<< END OF LETTER

This is an easy way to get new business.

We've found that of you just ASK people nicely, many will add reviews.

Follow up with an email and many more will add reviews.

Good luck!


Need help with Google Places Optimization and Reviews?

Option 1:
Sign Up For Your Free Consultation. Learn how you can get more results from your current marketing budget. Optimize your web site to and increase your leads, sales, referrals, and profits. Click Here For More Info

Option 2:
Download Your FREE Web Site Optimization Guide. Our free web site optimization guide illustrates the top 5 strategies that will enable you to significantly increase your web site sales and leads. Click Here For More Info

For more information about Interactive Marketing and the web site traffic building and conversion rate optimization services we offer, call us at 866.279.5785 or fill out our form for a FREE consultation.


Interactive Marketing, Inc.
61236 Brittle Bush Street Bend, Oregon 97702
Toll Free: 866.279.5785
Tel: 503.246.1375
Fax: 503.336.5176

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