With more than 90% of consumers researching businesses, products, and services online before ever contacting or visiting a business in real life or making a purchase online – positive public business reviews are extremely important for every small business. Get more 5-star reviews on your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business, so I’ll be using both in this this article) by creating a direct review link and ask customers for a great review.
(You can skip reading this long tutorial and pay us to create the Google Review link for your business if you prefer. Only $50!)
How do you get reviews on Google Business Profile?
While it is not feasible for every business to directly contact each individual customer and client to ask for a review, those businesses who can – should! And more than asking for a review, businesses should send a direct link to the actual review form to make it super simple for customers to review the business on your Google Business Profile page, especially for businesses who serve local customers.
After completing a project at Search Centered, we send a simple thank you follow-up email to clients. After thanking new clients, we wrap up the email by asking for a review on our Google My Business listing.
With this request, we send a direct link URL to the form for them to leave a review – https://www.searchcentered.com/review
As you see (if you click), this URL automatically loads the Google Business Profile review form so clients can easily leave their review of Search Centered. This direct link means there is no searching, no frustration, and no abandonment of the review mid-process once the client starts to leave a review.
The only thing for the customer to do is click a star and write a few sentences telling the world how great your products, services, and company has treated them.
Google Business Profile review box with star rating and comment box. Note – to leave a review, users must login with a Google account
At Search Centered, we focus on Google Business Profile reviews for our business and for our clients’ businesses because… Well, Google rules the internet, right? Sure, reviews on other websites are nice, but Google is where it’s at! Not to mention, reviews on your Google Business Profile listing will help boost your results in Google search results – general search results, the Google “3-pack,” and on Google Maps.
More than 86% of all internet searches are done through Google and when a potential customer searches for your business with Google, the average rating of your reviews on Google Business Profile are displayed on the results page with a link for the searcher to read all of your Google Business Profile reviews.
Business name, address, phone number, reviews and more information are displayed in the Knowledge Graph when users search for your business name.
Do reviews on Google Business Profile really make a difference?
Online reviews absolutely make a difference for a business, and Google Business Profile reviews are especially valuable for small local businesses. 79% of consumers say they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends or family members.
Research shows that 5 reviews is the “magic number” of Google Business Profile reviews. Once your business hits 5 reviews on Google, your business will likely start seeing benefits in organic search results, in the “Local Pack” of search results, and on Google Maps.
Google Business Profile reviews boost a business’s organic and local search rankings. NOTE – WebWorks of KC is our other brand. We recently rebranded, but we’re also keeping the well-established brand.
The third way Google Business Profile reviews are valuable is because a user must have a Google account to leave a review.
When an online review it attached to an actual account with a logged-in user, it is more likely to be a legitimate review from a real person, not a fake review created by the business owner to make their business look good.
If your customer wants to remain anonymous, move on to the next customer for a Google review. Don’t spend too much time trying to convince a customer to create an account or to use their real name. Ask that customer to leave your business a review on your business’s Facebook page or email you a testimonial you can add on your website, instead.
How to create a direct URL to the Google Business Profile review box
- Claim your Google Business Profile – Since rebranding to Google Business Profile, Google has made it easier to claim your business if you have not done so already. Search for the name of your business in Google and you will be presented with the option to verify your profile or resolve issues with an already-claimed profile. This can also be done from your profile in the Google Maps app, or by entering the keyword “my business” in the search bar. You can also visit https://www.google.com/business/
- Click “Get More Reviews” on your profile – You can do this from the Google search, from your profile on Google Maps, or within your Google Business Profile Manager – https://business.google.com/
- This will give you a review link directly to the Google review box. This is our link – https://g.page/r/CcMVStToyDSpEAI/review
Now you have your Google Business Profile review link, ready to share with you customers.
But, it’s ugly! As mentioned above, we link to create a professional looking review link using this ugle Google review link. Our link actually looks like this – https://www.searchcentered.com/review – Click the link to see it in action (Leave a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and write a short review if you learned something today!)
Create a professional shortlink for your Google review link
A personalized and professional URL with your own domain name adds legitimacy to the link you send to your clients. It’s also easier to remember when you’re sending a text or email asking for a review.
As you saw above, our professional Google review link – https://www.searchcentered.com/review – redirects to the ugly Google review URL and opens the Google review.
Create a redirection in your website’s .htaccess file
You can create this redirection in the .htaccess file of your web host. The .htaccess file is in the root of your website. You can usually access it through your hosting control panel (or cPanel) or via FTP.
In your .htaccess file, add the redirection in the format below on a single line.
Redirect 301 /review https://g.page/r/CcMVStToyDSpEAI/review
- 301 – Tells servers this is a “permanent” redirection (don’t worry, you can always change it, that’s just geek-speak, it doesn’t actually mean permanent)
- /review – means this is the part of the URL after your domain name that will be redirected
- Then the URL where the redirection will take the visitor. Make sure to include a space before this URL
Many web hosts have redirection options in the dashboard or settings
Check your specific web host or website platform, many web hosts have a 301 redirection tool built in.
Create a simple 301 redirection in WordPress
WordPress is the most popular web development platform on the internet. WordPress powers 43% of all websites.
I like the Simple Page Redirect plugin for new or novice users.
- Install Simple Page Redirect
- Create a page in your WordPress dashboard and call it “Review”
- Enter your Google review URL in the “Simple Redirect to:” box
- Click “Publish”
- Make sure the WordPress slug is review for this page after it has published. If the slug is review-2, or something similar, this means you have another page that already has the slug review. Go to that page and put your Google review URL in that page instead
I like this method because it helps website owners visualize the page (even though it doesn’t exist) and you can easily change it later – you don’t have to try to remember where you performed the redirection. The Review page is simply a page on your website that has been redirected elsewhere.
If you need help, you can pay us to create this professional review URL for you.
Crafting an email or message to your customer asking for a review
Now that you’ve done all the hard work: get the customer, make the customer happy, created a tool to help you get the review, there’s only one thing left. Ask for the review. My advice when asking for a review – keep it short and sweet. You’ve already made the customer happy – you don’t want to turn that all around by annoying them now.
Our Search Centered Digital Marketing Thank You emails are very simple:
Hi John Doe,
It was a pleasure working on your project!
Would you mind taking a moment to leave Search Centered a short and honest review on our Google Business Profile listing?
Leave your review here – https://www.searchcentered.com/review
Thank you,
Travis Pflanz
searchcentered.com
Encourage customers to add relevant keywords to their review
Instead of asking for a generic review from your customers, give them some hints to encourage them to add some of your business service and/or product keywords into their Google review.
Try to spice it up with a bit more, like:
Hi John Doe,
It was a pleasure working on your project!
Would you mind taking a moment to leave Search Centered a short and honest review on our Google Business Profile listing?
The more detail you can provide, the better, but we would love a short straight-to-the-point review if that’s more of your style.
Do you need inspiration for writing your review?
The best reviews include lots of detail and tips for other people who may be considering our services. Here are a few topics to give you ideas when writing your review:
• Which services did we provide for you?
• At which location did you get service? (if you have multiple locations)
• What do you like about working with us?
• Have you used other products or services we offer?
• Did you work with a specific person who deserves kudos?
• How do our services compare to similar services you’ve used with other companies?
• Do you have any tips to offer others who use our services in the future?
Leave your review here – https://www.searchcentered.com/review
Thank you,
Travis Pflanz
searchcentered.com
Ask for a review via text message
Another tactic we use is to simply text the link to the client. Of course this takes a little more finesse, but if you regularly text with clients, this method is an even quicker way to get that review.
We keep the text message super-simple and keep it under 160 characters, in one message:
Thanks for working with Search Centered! Will you please take 1 minute to review us on Google? → http://searchcentered.com/review Simple reviews are good, detailed reviews are GREAT 😀
Do you need a Google account to leave a Google review?
As mentioned above, and shown in the step-by-step screenshots above, your client must have a Google account of one type or another to leave a review of your business on Google My Business. Google’s goal is to be as accurate as possible. Allowing anonymous reviews does not promote accuracy, and allows for misuse of the Google Business Profile review system. Your customer will always have to be logged in to Google to leave a review of a business on Google My Business.
If that’s a problem for you or your customer, maybe your customer has a Facebook account, ask your customer to review your business on Facebook instead.
If nothing else, ask you customer to email you a testimonial that you can display on your website.
At Search Centered Digital Marketing, most of our clients come to us needing a new website, needing search engine optimization (SEO) for their existing website or needing one of the other various digital marketing services we offer. With every new client, we ask if the client has a Google account, any type of Google account – Android, YouTube, Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Google Business Profile, Analytics, Search Console, Voice, AdWords, Blogger, AdSense, etc – Many times clients are unaware all these websites and services are Google. Any of these accounts will work when leaving a Google Business Profile review.
If a client does not have a Google account, we walk them through the process or create the account for them.
We always integrate Google Analytics and Google Search Console into a client’s website – Both Google websites. Both requiring a Google account. As well, we create a Google Business Profile listing for their business or website… Again requiring a Google account.
Sure, this method works well for a web design or digital marketing company, but what about other industries? Consider including a hint or note at the end of your thank you email, something to the effect of – “Did you know Android, YouTube and Gmail are all Google accounts?”
Gmail is the most used free email service on the internet, more than half of all cell phones in the United States are Android, and YouTube is the 3rd most visited website on the entire internet. There’s a very good chance your customer already has one of these accounts.
Now you know the keys to getting more Google reviews, go out and get those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Stop hoping customers will leave reviews. Start asking for reviews and top it off by making it even more simple for customers to review your business by giving a direct link to the review form.
Note: This article was originally published on July 29, 2014 and is regularly updated to keep the information fresh.
I recommend testing your short link in the following browsers: Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, then also on iPhone and Android.
Hi Dana,
That might work for you. Try it out, then let us know how it turns out.
From my research, the problem I was running into is that Chrome would not load the review box, unless I removed the referrer information.
Also, try shortening this link, and let me know how it works out – https://www.google.com/search?q=allendale+family+%26+cosmetic+dentistry&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x89c2e38a52b13f2d:0x1a403baa2c4f032,2
Help! If I remove everything as you said to do after the ? and before the ie, the link doesn’t work. Here’s the initial link:
https://www.google.com/search?q=allendale+family+%26+cosmetic+dentistry&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#aq=t&lrd=0x89c2e38a52b13f2d:0x1a403baa2c4f032,2
Am I better off just shortening it and using this instead of trying to remove things from it?
That’s not the direct url to your page; see all that Google Search stuff in it? I think your direct link is; https://plus.google.com/+allendalefamilydentistry.
So the pop up to a review would be like this;
https://plus.google.com/+allendalefamilydentistry/posts?hl=en&review=1
But that brings up some problems; if I web search, it shows 14 reviews, but if I go to the direct link to your Google Business Place (above), it doesn’t show any of them. Additionally, if you click on the “review us on Google” link on the top right of your website, it goes to a Google Review page, but it’s not the same one that’s in the direct link I posted above.
Hope this helps, but something is not quite right.
aint working for me. Can someone please try the following link. Im doing the simple add hl=en&review=1 to the end of my buisness page???
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/104772478523546024612/dashboard/overview?hl=en&review=1
Thanks
gaz
I think there is something wrong with that url; what is the business name?
Hey Michael.
Fixed please see new link this is gonna be great for my clients and beyond thanks so much
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/104772478523546024612/+GbdesignstudioUk/posts/p/pub?hl=en&review=1
Gaz m/
Gary, your link loads your page (for me) but not the review popup. I think it’s because you have the “/posts/p/pub” in the url. I modified it to this link, which works for me. It loads your Google page, then in a second it loads the review popup; https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GbdesignstudioUk/posts?hl=en&review=1
Thanks for the note, Toby. I am updating the post. A few of the steps in your process can be shortened a little bit.
I just tried this, and it worked great for me, so it looks like it’s still working. It loaded the Google + page, then in a second or two, it popped up the review window.
Thanks for this. I’ve now been able to set up a page with the links for my customers.!
Hey Travis,
Thanks for the great info and for sharing all of your hard work. I’ll be eagerly awaiting your solution to the google update. I haven’t been able to find anything to solve it so far.
Best,
Julie
Hello everyone,
I have found a solution to this. First off your business page must have at least 1 review. Assuming it does this has worked for me for a handful of sites. Open google and search for your business using the full address. When your business page appears on the right hand side, click on the view review button. When the review box opens copy the full URL and use this for your link. When opened by a PC it shows your reviews with a post review button at the top. When you view on a mobile ( I have checked Firefox and Chrome on android and Safari on an Iphone) the review box will open. Above the posted reviews are the outlined 5 stars. The customer then gives the star rating and the browser will move onto the comment/post section.
This has worked for me. I hope it does for you!
Hi Gary, Google recently changed the function of Google+ and Google Business pages. The contents of this blog post may not work for everyone. When I get a little free time, I hope to find a better solution. If you find one before I do, please post it here.
Not working for me? Please help
thanks
Gaz
@Travis:
In your reply on August 23 at 2:16 am you mention that “Only reviews on Google will help a business rank higher in Google search results – Especially local search results. This is why I focus on Google reviews over reviews on any other website.”
Yes, but keep in mind that Yelp is almost always at or near the top of Google organic search results, so every business should also strive to receive as many 5-star Yelp reviews as possible … thanks to the search synergy of Yelp and Google, Yelp reviews can be a great asset for any business in Google search results.
Reviews, in general, are good, yes.
Only reviews on Google will help a business rank higher in Google search results – Especially local search results. This is why I focus on Google reviews over reviews on any other website.
Very good, informative article, Travis … but I must respectfully take exception to the sixth paragraph, which states: “We focus on Google Business reviews because… Well, Google rules the internet, right? Sure, reviews on other websites are nice, but Google is where it’s at!”
Yes, Google truly does rule the Internet … totally and brilliantly!
However, to imply that Google reviews are somehow ‘better’ than reviews on other sites is not even remotely close to the truth, as I’m sure you’re aware. (I’m as big a Google fan as anyone(!), and I’d like it to be true, but we all know it’s not.)
To borrow a phrase, Yelp ‘totally rules’ the local business consumer review segment. Combined, all other sites on which customers can write reviews for local businesses (Google, Angie’s List, Thumbtack, Facebook, ad infinitum) don’t come remotely close to the volume, clout, impact, influence, popularity, name recognition, and ease-of-use of Yelp in this regard. Whether we like Yelp or not, there’s simply no comparison.
And to be fair, regardless of our feelings about Yelp’s business practices, it can be one of our best friends on the Internet, and I genuinely appreciate how much Yelp reviews help my business.
I think Google can seriously challenge Yelp in this market segment if Google can ‘get it right’, which to this point it’s failed to do.
Good article. Exactly what I was looking for. Worked perfectly.
That’s always boggled my mind, as well. Google uses reviews as a ranking factor in search results (at least locally), yet makes it difficult for customers to review a business.
I agree with requiring a Google account, because completely anonymous reviews doesn’t do much good to anyone, but the whole process is WAY too involved.
thanks for the good information.
people want to write google reviews, but google makes it unnecessarily difficult and confusing for them to do so.
as flawed as yelp is, it’s simple to create a quick account & do all the yelping you want.
are you listening, google? you don’t have to love yelp, and yelp doesn’t have to love you, but you might wish to consider making your review process as simple as yelp’s (just don’t emulate yelp’s review filtering algorithms, please LOL).
Google has “updated” the Google+/Google Business functions, so I will try to find a new/working method when I find the time.
Google has recently remodeled the way Google+/Google Business pages function… Back to the drawing board to get this to work again 🙂
Thought this was the article I needed… but unfortunately this does not work. It just reloads the same page. Any thoughts?
this is not working for me at all. whether on a custom URL or not. That’s using Chrome and Safari.
I don’t think they will, but you can try contacting them, here – https://support.google.com/business/answer/2622994?hl=en#contact=1
Thanks, will try that. 🙂
Just fyi I added an address to my Google+ page, but still don’t get the review pop-up or other buttons. I’m beginning to suspect I created one page as a “Storefront” page and the other one as a “Service Area” or “Brand” page, and that might be the difference – maybe only “Storefront” pages can have the review pop-up?
It sounds like you set your page up incorrectly at the beginning. This article might help you – http://localu.org/blog/google-now-allows-brand-pages-become-local-pages/
I’ve never went through the process, though.
If I wanted to start over, do you know how I would tell Google to release my +PtypeUX name back to me?
Your business does not have a physical address attached to it. If you want to get reviews, you must add your address to your business page.
Yes, to receive reviews, you business must have a physical address attached to it.
How do I add a physical address to my Google page? I don’t see that ANYWHERE in settings. And I’m under the impression I can’t erase it and start over without losing my good +Name. Please advise.
Hi Debbie, which “cool icons” are you referring to? What is the link to your Google Business page? I will take a look
Yes, I have the same problem. I think the cool icons are the icons at the left-hand side such as review, directions, star, upload photo. My page only has share. And if I add the hl=en and review=1, nothing happens.
I just added an address but that didn’t seem to fix it. Is it possible there are different kinds of Google+ pages? The funny thing is I have another page that does have the icons, and the review box does pop up.
Does the address have to be “verified” by Google first?
I like your article but I’m having a weird problem. When you go to my page, I don’t see all the cool icons you have. If I make a version of your link with my Google page (to go right to the review), NOTHING happens. You just get my page.
I have been into Settings. Reviews are checked. I have NO idea why I don’t get those cool icons or the ability to review. Is it because I’m a consultant and didn’t list an address? I don’t want people having my home address and I don’t see clients here.
Thanks for any help you can give.
We had the similar problem (appreciate the mobile version)
Nice write up Travis, I was just figuring this out the other day after Google slammed Local and thus shut down our old approach. Unfortunately from what I can tell, going to your Google page thru google.com/maps only shows the review link if you already have some reviews. The pages I checked that have no reviews don’t have a link to do reviews. They’re really pushing us to the maps app, pooh on Google!
I don’t believe that would be the case, as many types of businesses have hundreds (or more) of customer interactions each day. For my business, I have a few dozen interactions with clients or potential clients on my absolute busiest days.
Even by sending a direct link, not everyone will leave a review – I have two clients who told me they planned to leave a review nearly two years ago. I send a “reminder” every few months, then they promise to leave the review… It’s never coming…
What if a bunch of reviews come in within a few days due to the email you send out? Will google not let them post because it would appear you are fishing for reviews?
I’ve found a mobile workaround and updated the article.
The article has been updated with a mobile “solution”
For those following this article, I have found a way to include a direct link for leaving a mobile review. I am still working out a few of the details, but I hope to have it complete soon.
Now, if only it worked on mobile devices.
Funny, with the new mobile directives coming down from Google on April 21st – http://www.searchenginejournal.com/what-will-and-will-not-be-affected-by-googles-mobile-friendly-algorithm/130657/ – You’d figure all of their own features would be mobile friendly…
I haven’t found one. Let me know if you do, though!
OMG- thanks so much! I tried different links to Business Google pages, but this is HANDS DOWN the most direct and best method. Why is Google so ignorant not to place these instructions in their help pages? https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474122?p=reviews_get&rd=1
I don’t know of a way to make it auto-open the review form on mobile devices.
Same here, doesnt work with mobile phones at all?
Hi, this works very well for desktop browsers but doesn’t seem to work at all on mobile, whether it redirects to the mobile browser or the Google+ app. Do you know of a fix for this? Thanks!
Hmm… Without being able to duplicate it, I cannot trouble-shoot it. I just tried again and didn’t have any problem.
My guess is that the issue lies on your computer with a improper clearing of the cache or something else similar.
Have you rebooted your computer? Try that.
Sorry to give such basic suggestions, but as I mentioned above, I cannot troubleshoot the issue very well, if I cannot replicate the issue.
What browser are you using? I in the newest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Try clearing your browser’s cache.
Travis,
Thanks for the quick response. Same result after clearing Cache, in latest versions of Chrome and IE…
What browser are you using? I just tested in the newest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Maybe you need to clear your browser’s cache.
I am having the same problem as Jay. When clicking your link, and when attempting to append review query to my page’s URL, I get the white box, but no way to write review?
I am sorry but your link isnt working as stated. Your business page comes up and then an empty white box appears where I am assuming the review would go but there is no writing in it. I also attached the link you directed to my business url and it didnt work either.
Can you elaborate? When you create a QR code, it does not affect the original URL at all. You can take any URL and create a QR code, then use that QR code and at the same time, still use the original URL.
This URL no longer works if I have created a QR code for it to be easily scanned & accessed for mobile users. What should I do?
Here’s a little tip… Really the only thing you can actually contact Google about is Adwords, so I contact them through Adwords when I have any issues. Usually, they will help with Google+ pages/businesses because is can tie directly to Adwords – https://support.google.com/adwords/answer/8206?hl=en
I’m horrible at getting testimonials out of clients, but I think this would make it easier so I’m going to have to start doing this. But first I need to sort out why I have 2 Google+ pages for my business. One that is ‘Verified’ but the other is using the custom url that I would want. Any ideas?
That’s a good question, but I don’t believe it is possible anymore to leave an anonymous review on a Google+ page.
That said, I ALWAYS help clients create a Google account, if they don’t have one. At very least, their account is used for Analytics and Webmaster Tools integration.
For other types of businesses, consider including a hint note in your review request email saying something to the effect of – “Did you know Android, YouTube Gmail are all Google accounts?”
Is there any for the customer to leave a review without having a gmail account? A Google rep was speaking at a function recently here in Calgary and mentioned it through Google Maps App.