If you think about it, why do reading customer reviews play such an important role in making our simple everyday decisions? When you are looking to try a new restaurant, do you take a look on Trip Adviser before booking? When you want to see a movie, do you use IMDB to see how other members rated it? Do you read endless reviews before purchasing an item off Amazon?
Well just like these everyday items, if you’re local business doesn’t have a presence on Google+ then you are missing out with statistics proving 88% of customers will read reviews to determine the quality of local business.
Google+ in a Paragraph
As a Cheshire web-design agency, our goal is to help small businesses like ourselves explore the art of growing your website by producing helpful hints, tips and reviews where we can. Acting as the social signal for Google, Google+ combines customer reviews and local search into one platform which enables local businesses to connect with customers via organic search.
Inside our blog, we will help you explore the world of Google+ along with 4 reasons why you business needs to be a part of Google+
Dressplace, the business used as the example, are clients of untitled™ and this image is only used as an example.
1. Access Instant Information
Let’s take a closer look at the image on the left. As you can see, you can access vital information without the need to dig any deeper. You have critical information such as the opening time; phone number and the postcode so the ball is now instantly back in the customer’s court to make the next move.
If you are planning on visiting the office, Google Maps is also integrated with Google+ so you have instant directions along with locating customer reviews or any recent posts.
2. Increase Local Exposure
Statistics from Search Engine Watch claim 20% of ALL Google searched have a local intent with a further 40% on all mobile devices. Combine them statistics with the fact that 97% of local consumers will search online for local businesses.
As previously mentioned, the purpose of Google+ is to provide local consumers with an alternative search with the goal of finding local businesses so Google uses all the Google+ information along with crawling your website to determine your services. The main advantage of this is your local business will only be in direct competition with other local websites offering the same services instead of major chains or Pay-Per-Click ads.
Using the system of Google ‘Circles’, customers and businesses alike when connecting with other friends or businesses connect by joining ‘Circles’, think of it as a friend request. When a new user browsers through circles, there is always the possibility that they will stumble across your profile giving you a new social signal to reach potential customers.
3. Improve Customer Relationships
According to statistics, 72% of customers said that reading positive reviews will make them more trusting of using local business. Customers will always benefit from excellent customer service, so if you have a good relationship with them, don’t be afraid to ask them to submit a Google+ Review.
Each review will always focus on the individual stories and experiences they had when using your company so has the more reviews you get, the more trust and influence you give to potential customers who read your review. It’s not the end of the world if you receive a bad review. Use the review as a positive experience and use this opportunity to look to improve where you can.
4. Gain Reputation
Reputation, Expertise, and Professionalism account for over 65% of overall customer relationships and are the most important reputation traits for any local business.
It doesn’t matter if you post them on your website or socially share them on your Google+ profile but sharing any kind of case study or testimonials have a far more positive impact to highlight the reliability, expertise and professionalism of your business.
The grand old saying of ‘Content is King’ still applies here so look to keep your message short and sweet and share the content or hyperlink to your website with your existing circles. What’s neat with having a Google+ account is in search engines, sometimes when you visit a small business, it will display the latest piece of content shared on Google+
Google+ Call to Action
If you would like to discuss what impact Google+ can have on your small business or would like assistance in setting up your Google+ account or even sharing large volumes of content then we are only a phone call away. We are a Cheshire based web-design agency who love everything web related! Why not give James a call on 01565 653616 or subscribe to our Web Grower newsletter for more advice on the art of growing your website.
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