Let’s be honest: When was the last time you hired a business without checking the reviews first? Google reviews are one of the most influential pieces of your online presence, especially if you're a local business. Whether you're in tree care, landscaping, real estate, or pest control, those little gold stars next to your business name can mean the difference between getting the call or getting ignored.

In this post, we’re breaking down the key reasons why Google reviews are so important—and how to make sure you’re getting the most out of them.

Table of Contents

Quantity: It’s Not Just About Having Reviews, It’s About Having Enough Reviews

We’ll start with the obvious: Quantity, the number of reviews you have, matters.

If someone sees your business has only 8 reviews and the competitor has 120, guess who’s getting the call? It’s not always about who’s better. But it is about who looks more trustworthy online.

To be recommended by Google, that is to show up after a search, you must be credible in the view of the search engine. So, in the world of Google and online search, more reviews = more credibility in the algorithm’s eyes. That means you're more likely to show up in the local search results.

Here’s a quick tip: Make review requests part of your customer follow-up process. You’ll be surprised how many are willing to leave a review if you just ask.

Quality: High Ratings Still Rule

Yes, we’ve all seen businesses with a large number of reviews. But how do you feel when you see a low average star-rating? It makes you pause and think there might something wrong.

If you want to build trust fast, your average star-rating needs to be strong. Potential customers are scanning that number in seconds. If you’re sitting in the high 4s, you’re in good shape. Anything lower than that means it might be time to step up the service and make sure you're responding to concerns quickly.

What should you aim to get when it comes to star-ratings and reviews? A 4.8 average with 50+ reviews is the sweet spot and a goal most small businesses should aim for.

Variety Builds Trust

Here’s something you might not have thought about: Having review diversity.

If all your reviews are from the same type of customer or sound similar, it can look a little inauthentic. People (and Google) like to see a mix of reviewers, different services mentioned, different neighborhoods and different tones. After all, we all are different. So have a diversity to your reviews makes you feel real and relatable.

Encouraging your customers to mention what services they received and where they’re located helps. “Tree removal in Mason” tells Google (and real people) exactly what you do and where you do it.

Replying Matters More Than You Think

You’re doing a good job for your customers and positive reviews are rolling in. But your job isn’t finished yet.

Google wants to see business owners engaging with their customers. Replying to reviews shows you’re active and paying attention. It also builds trust with future customers reading your reviews and responses.

You don’t need to overthink it. A simple, “Thanks so much for your feedback!” goes a long way. And if you’re dealing with a not-so-great review, stay calm, be helpful, and always take the conversation offline. Something like this goes a long way: “I’m sorry to hear your experience with us fell short. Let’s talk over the phone to see how we can make it right.”

Don’t forget, review replies are a great place to naturally mention services or neighborhoods you serve.

Consistency Is Key

It’s easy to collect a few great reviews. But don’t stop there. If your last review is six months old, it might raise a red flag. Customers, and Google, both want to see that your business is active and consistently delivering good service. So, adding reviews on a regular basis is an important marketing task.

Try to get a few new reviews every month. If you average 2 to 3, you’re doing well. New reviews keep your profile looking fresh and they show you’re still in the game.

Who Leaves the Review Can Make a Difference

Not all reviewers are created equal. Google doesn’t say much about this publicly, but reviews from Local Guides, frequent reviewers, or long-time Google users may carry more weight than others. It’s a good reminder that loyal, long-term customers are review gold. Don’t forget to ask them, too.

Keywords Count (Yep, Even in Reviews)

Here’s a little-known fact: When your reviews include relevant keywords, such as services, city names, or neighborhoods, it can actually help your search rankings.

So, if someone says, “Lions Tree & Landscaping helped us with tree removal in West Chester,” that review is doing double duty. It builds trust and helps you rank better for those search terms.

So when you ask for a review, gently suggest to the customer to mention what service you did and where it was performed.

Final Thoughts

If you want to show up better in Google search and earn more trust from potential customers, your review strategy needs to be more than an afterthought.

Try to focus on the following:

  • Getting more reviews consistently
  • Keeping your average rating high, 4.8 or above
  • Responding to every review (yes, all of them)
  • And encouraging specific, detailed feedback

Related Resources

Should I Use AI to Reply to Reviews?

SearchGPT: A New Way to Search the Internet

Google Search Volatility: What’s Happening in the Rankings?

Marketing During a Recession is Critical

Local Search Rankings: You Need to Get Some Stars

Need Help?

Do you need help putting together a review strategy that works? Or maybe you just want to automate the whole thing and stop chasing down reviews one by one? We’d love to help.

Call Signal Digital Marketing today at 513-237-5530 and we can schedule a free consultation.

Signal Digital Marketing – Send a Stronger Signal to Your Customers.

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