What to know about SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) might sound like a complicated term, but it’s really just about helping people find you online. When you improve SEO, you’re essentially giving your website a boost so that search engines like Google rank it higher.
SEO is all about relevance. Search engines love to deliver the most relevant results to people searching for something. So, if your content answers a question or solves a problem, you’re already halfway there. It’s all about showing search engines that what you’re offering is valuable to users.
On top of that, keep the user experience of your website in mind. A fast and easy-to-navigate website is crucial for SEO. People (and search engines) are appreciate a smooth experience, so make sure your website is fast-loading and mobile-friendly. If your website is slow, inaccessible, or difficult to use, users will leave and search engines will notice – and it won’t matter how amazing your content is.
One major thing to remember is that it takes time to see SEO results, but every small improvement adds up. Keep creating helpful content, be patient, and soon you’ll start seeing your rankings rise, little by little.
The role of reviews in improving local SEO
You probably already know that customer reviews are important for building trust and credibility. But did you know that they can also help improve SEO?
When it comes to local SEO, online reviews play a much bigger role than you might think. Getting good reviews is a great way to boost SEO and visibility in local search results. They also enhance credibility and trust, leading to higher click-through rates and improved rankings in search results.
It’s worth knowing that online reviews contribute to more than 15% of how Google ranks a local business, therefore making customer feedback an essential part of SEO. With such a clear impact on visibility, businesses should prioritize collecting and managing reviews effectively, essentially helping themselves rank higher.
Online Reviews as Ranking Signals
One of the many factors that affect your rank on search engines is online reviews. The number of reviews, their recency, and the overall ratings all contribute to how search engines perceive your business. Simply put, the more positive reviews you have, the better your chances are of ranking higher in local search results.
Quality over quantity is a principle important to remember here. Google pays attention to the type of reviews – when they’re detailed, mention specific products, or include relevant keywords, they can do wonders for your local SEO.
When you encourage your customers to be specific when leaving a review, you are essentially helping search engines better understand what your business offers, consequently improving SEO for your local listings.
How Reviews Help with Local Search Queries
When people search for businesses in their area, Google prioritizes listings with strong review profiles. Businesses with high ratings and a good number of reviews will rank higher, because online reviews are seen as a trust signal by both customers and search engines.
If your business has strong reviews, you have higher chances of appearing in the Google Local Pack (the map and top three listings you see at the top of local search results). And when 9 out of 10 consumers globally read reviews before making a purchase, having strong reviews means better visibility for your business and, ultimately, more foot traffic.
The Power of Review Velocity and Recency
The timing of your reviews also matters. Search engines like to see consistent activity on your listing, so a steady stream of reviews over time will help more than a massive influx of reviews followed by nothing new.
Recency is also something to take into account. Fresh reviews signal that your business is active and still delivering quality service. So, if you’re looking to improve SEO locally, focus on getting a continuous stream of up-to-date feedback.
How to leverage customer reviews to improve SEO
Use Keywords from Reviews to Improve SEO
One of the easiest ways to improve SEO with customer reviews is by leveraging the keywords people use. Customers naturally include words that other potential customers might be searching for, so make note of them and use them in your own marketing materials as well.
People will also discuss what they loved, whether that is the products, service, or location. Over time, these organic mentions help you build a strong SEO foundation that doesn’t feel forced or over-optimized.
Highlight Reviews on Your Website for Extra SEO Points
Don’t let your glowing reviews just sit and collect dust. Instead, bring them on your website and improve SEO with fresh, relevant content.
The key here is to make sure these reviews are easily visible and accessible. When visitors spend more time on your site reading reviews, it signals to search engines that your content is valuable, improving your SEO over time.
Encourage Reviews on Google Business for improving SEO
To improve SEO locally, make sure you claim and fully optimize your Google Business profile. Encourage happy customers to share their experiences and don’t forget to respond to these reviews regularly.
Not only will this improve your local SEO in a smart and easy way, but it will also build trust with future customers who are comparing you to other local options.
To fully leverage the power of customer reviews, FeedCheck offers robust reputation management tools designed to help businesses manage their online presence. Our platform streamlines the process of monitoring reviews across various platforms. Contact us today and ensure your review profiles remain strong and updated, significantly improving your SEO and increasing your rank.
How replying to reviews improves SEO
By now, you know that responding to online reviews is good practice for businesses in general. It builds trust, fosters loyalty, and gives customers the peace of mind that they are being listened to and cared for by your business.
But did you know that it can also improve your rank on search engines?
Studies show that 83% of consumers feel more loyal to brands that respond to and resolve their complaints. When you reply to reviews, you’re not only showing search engines you care about your customers, but you’re also giving your SEO a little boost.
New Content Signals
As we established earlier, search engines are all for fresh content on your page, and replying to reviews does just that. It keeps your listing updated, which can improve your SEO over time. The more active and updated your page is, the more likely it is to rank higher – a simple way to keep your online presence alive.
Plus, when you respond to reviews (especially the negative ones), you demonstrate that your business is engaged and dedicated to improving the customer experience. This can positively influence potential customers who are reading those reviews, making them more likely to choose you over your competitors.
Even a simple “Thank you for your feedback!” can help, but for maximum impact, try to personalize your response by mentioning something from the review. Negative feedback, on the other hand, can be slightly trickier to reply to, but if you want to find out the best ways to engage with an unhappy customer, read more here.
Build Trust and Increase Click-Through Rates
When potential customers see that you’re actively replying to online reviews, they see that you care about customer experience and they are more likely to trust your brand. Trust plays a huge role in customer decision-making, and it also helps improve SEO.
In fact, 43% of consumers believe reviews are helpful when making purchase decisions. Therefore, managing an active review presence can significantly benefit businesses through ongoing customer engagement.
Replying to reviews can also benefit your click-through rate (CTR). When customers see a high volume of positive interactions, they’re more likely to click on your website. The more clicks you get, the higher your ranking in search results.
Improve SEO by Engaging with Feedback
For local businesses, replying to reviews is a game-changer for local SEO. Responding to reviews shows that you care about your community and customers, and Google rewards this interaction by pushing your listing higher in local search rankings.
Replying to reviews does more than just build relationships with your customers. It offers a simple, yet effective way to enhance your search rankings. Start engaging with your customers, and watch your SEO grow.
Conclusion
Online reviews are a powerful tool for more than just building trust – they can significantly improve SEO and boost your business’ visibility. By encouraging detailed reviews, responding regularly, and integrating feedback into your website, you not only improve your SEO, but also create a fresher, more engaging online presence.
So if you’re looking for an easy, organic way to improve your rank, don’t overlook the power of customer feedback. Reviews help search engines understand your business better and show potential customers that you’re active and trustworthy.
With FeedCheck’s comprehensive review monitoring and reputation management platform, you can seamlessly manage and respond to reviews while gaining valuable insights into customer feedback. Get a demo here and see how we can help you elevate your SEO efforts and watch your business thrive in search rankings.