How to increase your business's Google rating with customer reviews
Summary
Want to boost your business's Google rating? Our comprehensive guide explains how the rating system works and gives you practical tips for collecting more customer reviews. Discover how to turn every piece of feedback into an asset to improve your online reputation and grow your local visibility.
Understanding Google Business Rating Calculation
How does Google Rating work?
Google assigns a business rating by calculating a simple average based on all reviews received (rated from 1 to 5 stars). Contrary to popular belief, a negative review (1 star) carries the same weight as a 5-star review in this calculation. For example, with eight 5-star ratings and two 3-star ratings, your average would be (8 × 5 + 2 × 3) / 10 = 4.6.
- Calculation method: sum of all ratings divided by the number of reviews
- Rating scale: Overall rating out of 5 stars
- Multiple sources: Google may integrate online reviews from other platforms
- Integration time: sometimes up to 15 days for a new review to appear
- Public display: Your rating is visible on Google Maps and in Google search results
Which opinions influence the rating?
The Google Business Rating is the average of all the reviews available on your listing. All reviews count, whether positive or negative. Every customer comment—whether satisfied or dissatisfied—changes your overall average and influences the trust of potential future customers.
Reviews are published promptly after moderation. Accurately written and detailed reviews have a particularly significant impact on your digital reputation and help guide buyer choices. Google may also consider reviews posted on other sites to provide a more comprehensive view of the customer experience.
Deadline for taking into account opinions
When a customer leaves a review, it can take up to 15 days for your average review to be updated. This processing time allows Google to verify the authenticity of reviews and combat attempts at manipulation, thus ensuring the credibility of the rating system.
| Type of action | Average time | Impact on the sheet |
| Posting a new comment | Immediate to 2 weeks | Recalculation of the average grade |
| Reporting a suspicious review | A few days to 1 month | Possible decrease in the number of reviews |
| Integration of external opinions | Variable | Potential change to the rating and displayed content |
Actively managing your Google Business profile, coupled with careful monitoring of your reviews, allows you to optimize your online presence and maintain an excellent digital reputation.
Get more reviews on Google My Business
To boost your business's reputation , building online reviews on Google My Business is essential. By adopting the right methods, you can encourage your satisfied customers to share their experiences and thus earn more positive reviews .
How to get a customer review easily?
Simply integrate review requests into your customer relationship. By making the process intuitive, you make it easier for your customers to express their opinions, which instantly improves your rating and digital reputation .
- Multi-channel approach: Combine thank-you emails, personalized SMS messages (ideally 24 hours after purchase) and QR codes on receipts to collect authentic written reviews .
- Direct Invitation: Systematically offer customers the option to leave a review after their visit to earn those precious 5 stars .
- Strategic QR codes: Place them prominently at reception and on customer documents for instant access to your review page.
- Involved team: Train your staff to naturally direct customers to your Google page.
- Incentive communication: Posters, flyers and stickers reminding people of the importance of new reviews create a virtuous habit.
Always follow Google's guidelines: never offer a reward in exchange for a review. By automating your email or SMS reminders, you'll consistently generate better reviews that build trust in your business.
Effective Techniques for Soliciting Opinions
Professionalize your approach by tailoring it to your specific clientele. We customize each strategy to your industry to achieve optimal results.
- Simplified link: One-click access to your review page from all your communication media.
- Tailor-made message: Mention the customer's first name and the details of their purchase to create a connection.
- Smart Follow-Ups: Automated tools to request Google reviews from customers who haven't responded.
By involving your team on a daily basis, you make review collection a natural process. Regularly analyze your feedback and highlight the most positive testimonials to maintain positive momentum.
Managing and responding to negative reviews on Google
For any business that cares about its online reputation , mastering the management of negative reviews on Google My Business is crucial. A well-constructed response can not only restore trust with the dissatisfied customer, but also enhance your overall image with future prospects.
How to react to a negative review?
- Responsiveness: Ideally, respond within 24 hours - a quick response (5 to 10 minutes per review ) demonstrates your seriousness.
- Personalized approach: Mention the customer 's first name and demonstrate that you specifically understand their problem.
- Concrete suggestions: Favor suitable solutions (discount, corrected service, discount voucher).
Consider a restaurant that, when faced with an unsatisfactory rating , systematically invites the customer to return for free. This kind approach often leads to changes or additions to the new review .
Moderation and removal of fake reviews
The Google My Business platform allows the reporting of clearly inaccurate or malicious reviews . Regular monitoring (via monitoring tools) and relevant reporting ensure a credible business profile . Some tourist establishments automate this process to better manage their online reputation.
Optimizing the management of negative reviews
Every critical piece of feedback is an opportunity to improve . Analyze recurring complaints, optimize your methods, and possibly reach out to the customer via private message to discuss the issue further. A well-written public response on your Google profile showcases your expertise and reassures future customers.
Using customer reviews to progress
Online customer feedback is a treasure trove of valuable information for improving our services and increasing our establishment's Google rating . By carefully examining these testimonials, we can accurately identify our customers' expectations and perfect our service.
Analyze reviews to improve
- Collect feedback: Systematically gather all opinions, both on Google and on specialized platforms.
- Identify areas for improvement: quickly identify recurring criticisms to focus your efforts on what matters.
- Highlight your strengths: highlight what your customers particularly appreciate.
- Provide concrete solutions: every negative review should become an opportunity to improve.
By applying this method, one business managed to raise its average score on Google by effectively handling customer feedback - the result? 50% fewer negative reviews in just 60 days!
Optimize your Google profile to improve your rating
To achieve a better business rating on Google and boost your local visibility , maintaining your listing is essential. Regular updates and comprehensive information make all the difference. Take full advantage of the tools offered by Google My Business to stand out.
Complete and update the form
Don't overlook any detail: clearly state your business name, write an accurate description, display verified opening hours, and include all your contact information. Consider incorporating local keywords (e.g., "artisan bakery in Marseille") and update your professional photos regularly—showcase your business , your products, and your team in action.
Don't forget to enable the Q&A option: this allows you to respond quickly to customers and improve their experience with your brand.
Using Photos and Google Posts
- Visual Updates: Add approximately eight new images to your gallery per quarter to keep visitors engaged.
- Regular Posts: Highlight your special offers, news, and events through Google Posts to showcase your dynamic business.
- Performance analysis: Carefully monitor your statistics (number of calls, route requests) to refine your strategy.
To go further in optimizing your local presence: Discover our complete guide on Google My Business
Highlight your Google reviews on your site
Display your Google reviews and business rating directly on your website to provide instant social proof . This instantly boosts your business's credibility with visitors. A virtuous circle is created: the more online reviews you display, the more your customers will trust you and be motivated to leave their own comments.
Why integrate the Google business rating?
- Build trust: Our widget displays your average rating in real time and also highlights your recent reviews .
- Improve customer experience: Visitors discover authentic testimonials from other satisfied customers with every click.
- Stimulate new reviews: Better visibility naturally encourages customers to share their experience .
Ways to View Google Reviews
Our solution uses an automated widget that continuously syncs your Google rating with all the reviews written by your customers. By selecting the best reviews and sharing video testimonials, you strengthen your online reputation while building customer loyalty.
- Intuitive widget: Easy installation, no technical skills required.
- Strategic highlighting: Regularly update the most impactful comments .
- Video Testimonials: Create a more human connection with your visitors.
- Social Amplification: Share your best feedback to reach more prospects.
For a detailed guide, check out our tutorial: How to easily integrate your Google reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I leave a Google review for a business?
Giving a review of a business via Google is very simple: first, search for the establishment on Google or in Maps . When you access its profile , click on " Leave a review ". You will then be able to give a rating (from 1 to 5 stars ) and write a detailed comment . Some businesses also provide direct links on their website or QR codes to simplify this process.
How to rate a business on Google?
Reviewing a business on Google is a two-step process: first, you assign a rating between 1 (unsatisfied) and 5 stars ( star ), then you have the option to add a more comprehensive online review . Your contribution will immediately appear on the establishment's Google My Business page, visible to all Internet users.
How is the Google rating calculated?
Google's rating system is based on an average calculation: it adds up all the stars given by customers and divides this total by the number of reviews. It can take up to two weeks to update. Please note : the algorithm may incorporate some reviews from partner platforms to refine this overall rating.
