Value of Local SEO Reviews: Managing Reviews

In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some of the important basics and value of local reviews within your SEO or other digital marketing campaign. Reviews are often very important for businesses of all kinds, and local reviews tend to carry particular importance for many due to proximity to clients.

At Be Locally, we're here to offer an extensive range of SEO and other digital marketing services, including local SEO, web design, PPC services and more. Today's part two of our series will shift gears a bit and look at some of the top ways you can organically generate local reviews, the problems with fake reviews and why you should never consider them, and how to manage your review content over time.

Ways of Organically Generating Reviews

There are several ways to generate local reviews organically, meaning through genuine and legitimate means that follow the rules of review platforms. These include:

1. Encouraging satisfied customers: The simplest way to get more reviews is by actively encouraging satisfied customers to leave one. You can do this in many ways, such as adding a call-to-action on your website, including links to review sites in your email signature, or even offering incentives for leaving a review.
2. Utilizing social media: Social media is an excellent platform to engage with customers and build relationships. By regularly posting content and responding to comments and messages, you can encourage customers to leave reviews on various platforms.
3. Responding to reviews: When customers see that a business actively responds to both positive and negative reviews, it can increase their trust and likelihood of leaving a review themselves.
4. Leveraging local partnerships: Collaborating with other local businesses or organizations can not only help promote your brand, but also provide opportunities for cross-promotion and encouraging reviews from each other's satisfied customers.

Problems with Fake Reviews

While it may be tempting to try and boost your ratings with fake reviews, it is never a good idea and can actually do more harm than good. Not only is it against the terms of service for many review platforms, but it also damages your credibility and trust with potential customers. Additionally, platforms such as Google have advanced algorithms that detect fake reviews and will penalize your business accordingly.

Managing Review Content

As your business grows and your online presence evolves, it's important to regularly monitor and manage your review content. This includes responding to reviews in a timely and professional manner, addressing any negative feedback constructively, and seeking out opportunities for improvement based on customer reviews.

In addition, you can also analyze your review data to identify patterns or areas of improvement within your business. This information can be invaluable in shaping your marketing and business strategies moving forward.

At Be Locally, we understand the importance of local reviews and their impact on your overall digital presence. Our team of experts can help you develop a comprehensive review management strategy that aligns with your business goals and values. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business thrive locally.