10 Simple Ways to Get More Google Reviews for Your Plumbing Company
Testimonials, referrals, and online reviews (particularly Google reviews) are crucial to growing the plumbing business. In fact, Google reviews are the foundation upon which a plumbing company can establish a good working relationship with their community. Google reviews are incredibly crucial-more 80% of customers trust online reviews just like they do with personal recommendations, and 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a plumbing business.
More positive reviews = more qualified leads, higher search rankings, and increased revenue.
If you are struggling to enhance your online presence, read on, in this post, we will give you 10 ways to obtain more Google reviews and practical strategies on how to pull off negative reviews.
Without further ado, let us dive into our post!
Why Do Google Reviews Matter in Your Plumbing Business?
While the possibility of opening up your plumbing company to Google reviews can generally be daunting, it’s something that should not be overlooked. It’s true that you never understand how clients feel about the plumbing services you provide. However, it’s crucial to remember that people will review your plumbing company online regardless.
If you are hesitant to take the plunge and begin engaging with clients on review websites such as Yelp, consider this. Oftentimes, Google reviews found online can sway opinions, and they can lead to new clients that you may not have otherwise had-or they can turn people away and give your plumbing business a poor reputation. As a plumbing company that probably depends heavily on word of mouth, Google reviews are an important aspect of your online presence.
Here are three reasons why you should enhance plumbing company online reviews:
- Google Reviews Impact Your Client’s First Impression
Prospects or clients tend to perceive online reviews as a good indicator of how well your plumbing company has performed in the past. If your plumbing company has mostly great reviews, the one who reads your review sees that you have satisfied clients and is probably more likely to contact your plumbing business. Plus, if you have a higher star rating than other plumbers on a review website like Yelp, the user may instantly assume you offer better service.
Let’s face it: if you had to select between two similar plumbing businesses and one had a 3-star rating and the other had an average of a 5-star rating, which would you select? Probably the one with a higher star rating.
- Google Reviews Impact Your Paid & Organic Rankings in Search
Do you know your online reviews actually affect how visible your plumbing business is at the top of the Google search results page? First, let’s examine the local map results. When you Google a plumbing service in a particular city, you will come across a map on the SERP with the top three locations. These listings typically the number of Google reviews and a high star rating based on your user experiences.
The better reviews your plumbing business has, the more likely it can be featured on the top of coveted three listings-as online reviews are a crucial ranking factor for your local SEO.
- Google Reviews Help Attract New Clients
Once clients have clicked through your page, you are almost near the main goal. Prospects or clients who come to your plumbing website should be enticed to book jobs with your company. While a user-friendly website experience is crucial, Google reviews can be powerful alone to increase your conversion rates alone. For this reason, any plumbing company with a strong rating should be showcasing that review all over their website. This review will increase client trust even if they have never come across your reviews online.
Proven Ways to Get More Google Reviews and Rank your Plumbing Business Higher in Local Search
Any local plumber will tell you that launching and growing a plumbing company is hard work. Creating a unique plumbing service is challenging enough, but then comes the job of spreading the word about your plumbing company and building a client base. Word of mouth recommendations remains one of the best methods of plumbing marketing today.
The major difference today is that word about your plumbing business spreads faster through client reviews, and the most famous review website in the world is Google-particularly for local home service businesses like roofing or plumbing. The more positive Google reviews your plumbing business has, the higher you will rank in local searches. That said, getting online reviews is not easy, so read for the effective ways to get Google reviews that actually work.
Without further ado, let’s look at the proven tips for boosting your number of positive reviews on Google.
1. First, Understand the Process
It takes a few seconds for a client to write a Google review. Simple enough, right? Well, there is a process to get here. The client has to:
- Open up Google Maps
- Look for your plumbing business
- Click on it to showcase your Google Business Profile
- Scroll down to the reviews section on your profile
- Click to leave their review
Homeowner: You have been amazing. How can I review your plumbing company online?
Would you rather say: A Google review would be awesome! Just head to our plumbing website, and there’s a link right there to help you leave a review.
2. Ask and You Shall Receive
It is easy for clients to forget, especially in this modern and hectic world, so even a superior service doesn’t warrant a positive review on Google. They may leave smiling after service, but once they are out of your door, they have mentally moved on to other things. Find those clients who simply forgot how wonderful you are by reminding them.
A good plan starts by asking previous clients to review your plumbing business. This is normally achieved through an email in which you offer a direct link to your Google My Business listing. Keep the process as simple as possible, and the client will be likely to follow through.
To get more Google reviews going forward, figure out setting up an automated thank-you email to be sent to your clients three to five days after completing your plumbing project.
3. Add Your Google Review Link to a Business Card
One of the best ways to ensure your clients know they can review your plumbing business is through a business card. You can post the direct link, but it is highly recommended that you create a separate page for online reviews on your plumbing website, and it will be easier for clients to type in the address.
4. Claim, Verify and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Google Business profile helps obtain more reviews but also makes those reviews public. GBP is one of the most visited review platforms on the internet just by the virtue of being a Google service. Because Google owns a major share of the search engine market, more prospects or clients see Google Business Profile and normally read Google reviews more than other review platforms.
If you have not claimed your plumbing company on Google Business Profile, you should register for it ASAP. To help your business get more reviews on Google, ensure that you retrieve your Google review short link and add it to your email correspondence. Include it on your plumbing website and social media ads or posts as well. Visible links will make it easier, and more probably that people will leave a Google review.
5. Add a Review Button to Your Plumbing Website
Most clients expect your plumbing business to have a professional website. So, one of the good places for a Google review is your plumbing website. Simply login into your Google My Business and click on the button to display your review link. Copy that link, and then include a button on your plumber’s website.
6. Respond to Reviews
Homeowners will be more responsive to plumbing companies that value their input. To obtain more plumbing reviews, make sure you reply to the reviews you already have. Replies will help gain the trust of more new clients, generate qualified leads, and earn new clients who can, in turn, offer your company more reviews.
Don’t just respond to the positive reviews, either, and replying to negative reviews is as, if not more essential.
7. Ask for Google Review By Email
Another way is that you can wait until you finish the job and ask for the Google review through email at the end of the day. Ensure your email request consists of links directly to the Google Business Profile and or your Facebook page reviews section.
The email is probably going to be less effective since you don’t have that interpersonal exchange with the client, and you didn’t obtain a commitment to write a review. Besides, emails are easy to park or ignore.
8. Post Your Review Link to Social Media Pages
Social media is a great way to interact with your clients. Whether you are using organic social media (aka free) or using paid social ads (such as Facebook ads), utilizing social media posts to request feedback is an efficient way to obtain more reviews on Google.
9. Make it Easy for Customers to leave a review on Google
No matter how wonderful your customer experience is, making the Google review process easier will generally improve your chances of success.
Make the process of writing Google reviews as easy as possible.
10. Obtain Google Reviews from Partners and Vendors
Partners and vendors may not be clients, but they can attest to what it feels like to work with you consistently. They also may be more willing to leave a Google Business review if you leave one review for their business first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Google Reviews for Plumbers
What is the best way to obtain Google reviews for my plumbing company?
Let your Google reviews bring in new clients while you operate your plumbing business. Blackstorm Design + Marketing will instantly generate new Google reviews from those new customers. Do this before your competition.
How do you get clients to leave Google reviews?
There are a few ways to get clients to write a review on Google but the simplest one is to:
Utilize an email campaign: send out emails to clients after you have completed a project, requesting them to leave a review on your Google Business profile.
How do I get negative Google reviews removed?
If you have a negative, defamatory or fake review on your Google Business profile, you can also attempt to have it eliminated:
- Request the reviewer to remove it themselves
- Requesting Google to eliminate it
- Reporting it as spam
How do I get more Google reviews?
There are multiple ways you can encourage clients to leave reviews, such as:
- Ask them outright in person
- Send out regular follow-up emails
- Include review links on your plumbing website or in email signatures
- Running Google Ad campaigns
- Create social media posts
Increase Google Reviews with Blackstorm Design + Marketing
Your plumbing business can benefit greatly from Google reviews. Such reviews not only inspire new and repeat business but also improve your search engine results and SEO. More positive reviews on Google will drive your plumbing company to the top. However, the process of creating a steady flow of Google reviews in your plumbing company isn’t easy. That’s why we highly recommend that you partner with a reputable online reputation management agency like Blackstorm Design + Marketing.
The more proactive you become towards collecting more Google reviews, responding to reviews, and also deal with negative reviews, the more confident your team will be in handling this crucial aspect of internet marketing.
If you would like to leave your Google review generation to experts, our team at Blackstorm Design + Marketing is here to help. Schedule a free discovery session with Blackstorm Design + Marketing to learn more about our wide range of internet marketing services designed to help plumbing companies like yours obtain as many qualified leads and sales as possible.