“"Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room." - Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon

Introduction:

Google Reviews is a feature provided by Google that enables users to rate and review businesses based on their personal experiences. It is an online platform that allows customers to provide feedback on the services and products offered by a business. Google Reviews are visible on a business's Google My Business listing, which can be accessed by anyone who searches for that business on Google.

Google Reviews allow customers to rate a business using a five-star scale and leave a written review that explains their experience with the business. Users can also upload photos and videos to support their reviews. Google Reviews are a valuable tool for businesses to receive feedback and insights from customers, which can be used to improve services and products.

For customers, Google Reviews provide an opportunity to share their experiences with a business and help other potential customers make informed decisions. Reviews can provide details on a business's level of service, product quality, and overall experience, which can help customers make better-informed decisions when choosing a business to engage with.

Google Reviews also help businesses to improve their online reputation and increase visibility. Positive reviews can increase a business's credibility, while negative reviews can provide insight into areas that need improvement. Businesses can also respond to reviews, which can demonstrate a willingness to address customer concerns and provide excellent customer service.

Overall, Google Reviews provide a valuable platform for businesses and customers alike, offering a transparent way to share feedback and engage in meaningful interactions.

How important are google reviews for motor traders?

Reviews are extremely important for motor traders, as they can have a significant impact on the success of their business. In today's digital age, online reviews have become an essential part of the decision-making process for many customers when purchasing a product or service, including when buying a car or using the services of a motor trader.

Positive reviews can help motor traders build their reputation, establish trust with potential customers, and increase their visibility online. They can also help to differentiate a motor trader from their competitors, as customers are often more likely to choose a dealership with positive reviews over one with negative or no reviews.

On the other hand, negative reviews can have a detrimental effect on a motor trader's business. They can damage their reputation, deter potential customers, and reduce their visibility in search results. This is why it's important for motor traders to monitor their reviews regularly and respond to them in a professional and helpful manner.

Google review best practices:

1. Encourage Reviews:

   Encourage your customers to leave a review on your Google My Business listing by following up with them after a sale asking for them to rate their purchase experience. Include a link to your dealership's google listing to make it easy for them to leave a review.

2. Respond to Reviews:
   
   Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. Acknowledge the feedback, thank the reviewer, and offer a solution if necessary. Responding to reviews will help to show that you value customer feedback and are committed to providing excellent customer service. Plus Google notices it and will show your business the google love.

3. Monitor Reviews:
   
   Monitor your reviews regularly, so you can quickly respond to any negative feedback and resolve issues before they escalate.

4. Be Professional:
   
   Always respond to reviews in a professional and courteous manner, even if the review is negative. Remember that your response can be seen by other potential customers and can impact your business's reputation.

5. Use Keywords:
   
   Use keywords in your responses to help your business appear in relevant searches. This can improve your visibility and increase the chances of potential customers finding your business. i.e "Thanks for your positive review regarding the BMW 330D that you bought from Your Dealership, Leeds No1 car dealership"
   
   The bold letters are example of keywords. By adding these to reviews it will help for your dealership to show up in search results, especially when new customers ask google questions.
   
   Example: Where is the best place to buy a BMW dealer in Leeds? The fact you have responded to a review with similar keywords will help Google to know that you are probably the dealer that they should be pointing the customer towards.
   
   Especially as Google knows that you respond to your reviews and will show you the google love!

6. Avoid Incentivising Reviews:
   
   What ever you do avoid incentivising customers to leave reviews. This is a big no no as this goes against Google's policy and can result in your reviews being removed and can actually lead to you having your Google my business listing taken down.

7. Share Positive Reviews:
   
   It goes without saying that you should def share positive reviews on your website, social media profiles, and other marketing materials. It 100% helps to build credibility and trust with potential customers. With that being said, we also know dealers that will happily promote negative reviews they have encountered and how they have responded to them. Every negative has a positive..

Overall, managing your Google Reviews requires consistency, professionalism, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service. By following these best practices, you can improve your online reputation, increase visibility, and attract more customers to your dealership.

We also understand that it isn't always easy to consistently achieve points 1,2,3,5 & 7. If that is a problem for you, it's one of the reasons that we designed ReviewEngage. The only Review service for the UK motor trade, that actively: engages customers for reviews, monitors their responses, replies in a manner that will increase a dealerships visibility and then actively shares them across your social networks.

For further information ReviewEngage