How to Leave a Great Google Review

Imagine arriving at your favorite local restaurant, anticipating a meal you've been craving all week, only to find the doors shut, the space cleaned out, and a 'Closed' sign hanging in the window. That happened a few years back at Ming's Garden, one of my favorite restaurants. The sudden closure was a wake-up call. Could I have done more to help them? Would a glowing Google review could have drawn more patrons and kept those doors open?

My work in recent years has helped me realize the profound impact online reviews can have. It's not just about sharing experiences; reviews are powerful tools that help sustain businesses by boosting their visibility and credibility on platforms like Google. They are crucial in helping businesses thrive in a competitive world.

This guide is dedicated to teaching you how to craft positive reviews that do more than rate a service or product—they support and uplift the local businesses that make our communities vibrant. I'll walk you through preparing to write a Google review that's as impactful as possible and discuss what to include to ensure your reviews genuinely help the businesses you love.

Vibrant local café bustling with customers, showcasing the positive impact of community support and Google reviews on small businesses.
 

Why Reviews Matter

Online reviews, especially on platforms like Google, wield tremendous influence over a consumer’s decision-making process and a business's public image. These reviews are critical for small businesses, often serving as a lifeline by significantly enhancing visibility and customer engagement.

For Consumers: Reviews provide invaluable insights beyond basic advertisements. They set expectations and build trust through transparency. They help potential customers gauge what to expect, drawing on the experiences of others to make informed choices.

For Businesses: Positive reviews are robust endorsements that directly influence a business's local search rankings on Google Maps. Frequent and positive feedback has long been a major SEO ranking factor and helps attract new customers by enhancing the business's online credibility and visibility. Having more good reviews also helps offset the negative reviews since positive customer reviews raise the average star rating, diluting bad reviews. 

Young woman writing a Google review on her smartphone in a cozy bookstore, enhancing local business support through informed feedback.

Before Writing Your Google Review

There are things you can do before you write anything down that will improve the impact. Here are some tips to prepare effectively:

  • Engage Authentically: Use Google Maps to navigate to the business, call them directly through their Google business listing, or check in when you visit. Google tracks these actions and lends credibility to what you say, making it less likely to be considered spam or removed.

  • Experience Fully: If possible, visit the business multiple times and try different products or services. Take brief notes on your experiences, focusing on details that will help guide prospective customers.

  • Consider the Business Type: Ask yourself, 'What customer feedback is most helpful for this industry?' Satisfied customers comment differently when reviewing a restaurant than when complementing a home service provider. Reflecting on what makes the business unique and what customers typically value will help you provide relevant and impactful feedback.

By following these steps, your reviews will be rich in detail and stand a better chance of being recognized as legitimate by Google, helping them stay visible and influential.

 
Computer screen showing a Google search page, emphasizing how Google Business Profile optimization affects search results and business reviews.

What to Say and Do

Crafting a great Google review involves more than just stating whether you liked the service or product. It’s about providing detailed feedback useful to potential customers and the business. Here’s how to articulate your experience in a way that’s both informative and constructive:

  • Be Specific: General comments like "great service" are positive but don’t offer much insight. Instead, be specific about what made the service great. Was it the quick response time, the friendly staff, or perhaps the attention to detail? Instead of saying a place is 'family-friendly,' note the kid's menu, booster seats, and coloring placemats. 
  • Offer Context: Appropriate descriptors of your situation can help others make an informed decision. "As first-time homebuyers, we had a lot of questions. Our agent was patient and could explain the process and what to consider." This builds credibility and authenticity, which enhances the impact and improves social proof. 
  • Include Relevant Details: Think about what future customers might want to know. Mention aspects like the ambiance, cleanliness, accessibility, or any special services that stand out. If you’re reviewing a product, talk about its functionality, durability, or how it compares to similar products.
  • Include Images: Photos enhance the helpfulness and attractiveness of reviews, providing visual proof and adding credibility. Mobile devices make adding photos and other media to your reviews easier, as you can directly upload pictures taken with your smartphone.

This allows you to convey a positive customer experience that will help potential customers and improve their online presence in Google Search and Google Maps results.

 

Screenshot of Google Maps displaying restaurant listings in Charlotte, illustrating the importance of Google reviews in local search visibility.

Maximizing Your Impact

A well-crafted Google Review by a happy customer can make a big difference to human readers and search engines, but learning how to craft meaningful review content takes time and practice. Helpful feedback and a five-star rating with detailed positive experiences are some of the best ways to support small businesses.

Optimizing a Google Business Profile is crucial for local area businesses to benefit from positive reviews; it is what the reviews are 'attached to' and the lens that Google uses to decide how and what to amplify on Google Maps. A complete and accurate Google Business Profile boosts the visibility of reviews for the search terms for which the business wants to appear. GBP optimization is essential for a business owner to make the most of those positive reviews. 

As we reflect on the power of our reviews in shaping the success of our favorite local businesses, it's clear that our words carry weight. By taking the time to craft thoughtful reviews and encouraging businesses to optimize their online profiles, we actively participate in building a thriving local economy. Remember, each Google review is more than just feedback—it's a lasting imprint that can uplift and sustain the businesses that enrich our communities.

If you found this helpful, please share it with friends and business owners to help them care for their communities. Thank you!

Location: Charlotte, NC, USA

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