Did you know that getting more customer reviews could boost your business income by 82%? That's not just a guess — it's what our researchers found when they studied millions of businesses across the country.
If you're a business owner who thinks reviews don't really matter, this might change your mind. And if you already know they're important but don't know what to do about it, we've got some simple tips that can help you starting today.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Reviews = More Money
Here's what the research shows:
- Businesses with lots of reviews make 82% more money than businesses with just a few reviews
- When your star rating goes up by just one star, your income can grow by 5-9%
- Having 25 or more recent reviews can boost your revenue by 108%
- 93% of people read reviews before they buy from local businesses
Think about it — when was the last time you went to a restaurant or hired someone without checking their reviews first? Your customers are doing the same thing.
Google Reviews Rule the World
Google is the king of reviews. Here's why:
- 81% of people use Google to check out local businesses
- Google reviews make up 57% of all online reviews
- If you have a 5-star rating instead of a 3-star rating, 44% more people will choose your business
- Reviews are the 3rd most important thing that helps your business show up in Google searches
The bottom line? If you're not ranking on Google local search, you're invisible to most customers.
Different Businesses, Different Results
Not all businesses are the same when it comes to reviews:
Restaurants:
These businesses get the biggest boost from reviews. Just one extra star can mean 5-9% more money coming in.
Retail Stores:
Showing customer reviews can increase sales by 270%. For expensive items, it can be even higher — up to 380%.
Healthcare:
Even doctors need good reviews now. 72% of people use reviews to find new doctors.
Lawyers and Financial Services:
These businesses see great results too, with some getting 8 times more customers from mobile searches.
Easy Ways to Get Started (Low-Hanging Fruit)
While there is a lot that can be done to maximize these areas, some of the steps are easy things you can start doing right away. Here are simple things you can do this week:
1. Just Ask Your Happy Customers
- After someone has a good experience, simply say: "If you were happy with our service, would you mind leaving us a review on Google?"
- Send a text or email a day after their visit with a link to your Google review page
- Put a small sign by your checkout counter asking for reviews
2. Make It Super Easy
- Create a short link to your Google review page (like bit.ly/yourstore-reviews)
- Print QR codes on receipts, or print out a QR code by your register, that link straight to your review page
- Include review links in your email signature
3. Respond to Every Review (Yes, Even Bad Ones)
- Thank people for good reviews — it takes 30 seconds
- For bad reviews, say you're sorry and want to make it right
- 9 out of 10 reviewers expect businesses to respond
- When you respond, others are much more likely to leave reviews for you
4. Focus on Google First
- Claim your Google Business Profile (it's free)
- Make sure all your information is correct
- Post photos and updates regularly
- Ask customers to leave Google reviews specifically
5. Don't Forget the Basics
- You need at least 5 reviews before Google shows your stars
- Aim for 10-15 positive reviews to start ranking well
- Try to get 25+ reviews for a real boost in business
What Not to Do
- Don't buy fake reviews (Google will catch you and punish your business)
- Don't only ask people when they're upset — ask happy customers too
- Don't ignore bad reviews — address them quickly and professionally
- Don't give up - consistency is everything
Your Action Plan For The Week
Claim your Google Business Profile if you haven't already
Ask 5 happy customers for reviews (in person, by text, or email)
Respond to any reviews you haven't responded to yet
Train your employees to be asking every satisfied customer for a review
Take some good photos of your business and add them to your Google profile
TLDR
Getting reviews isn't just about looking good online. It's about survival. If your competitors have 50 five-star reviews and you have 3 reviews, guess who most customers will choose?
The good news? Most businesses are still pretty bad at asking for reviews. That means if you start doing this stuff consistently, you'll have a huge advantage.
The research is clear: businesses that take reviews seriously make more money. The question is, what are you going to do about it?
Want to call in the experts?
Daevara consulting is here to support your business, we can help get your reviews on autopilot so you can focus on just giving your customers the best possible experience. Get in contact with us today to see how we can help.