Google reviews for plumbers contribute to visibility and conversions within the digital marketing ecosystem.
Plumbing companies with hundreds or thousands of Google reviews are more likely to rank in Google’s Map 3-Pack for local search queries and convert users into leads and customers.
With this in mind, it’s important to implement a process for consistently generating reviews from your recent customers.
In the following guide, I will outline the best practices for plumbing Google Reviews based on my 10+ years as the founder and CEO of Plumbing Webmasters, a digital marketing agency for plumbers.
What are Google Reviews for Plumbers?
Google reviews are public feedback submitted by Google Users via Google Business Profiler (formerly Google My Business.
Reviews appear on a company’s public Google Business Profile beneath an aggregate rating (out of 5) based on the average rating and are considered by Google’s Local SEO algorithm.
Aside from establishing trust and credibility for your plumbing business, Google reviews also contribute to your Business Profile ranking within the Local Map 3-Pack for relevant search queries.
How To Get Google Reviews for Plumbers
While some customers will take it upon themselves to leave a Google review for your plumbing business, most won’t act unless you personally remind them to leave feedback.
While offering incentives in exchange for reviews violates Google’s guidelines, many of your customers will be happy to leave you a review as long as you simplify the process.
Below, I will detail the tasks you can complete to increase your Google review frequency and enhance your online reputation.
Claim Your Google Business Profile
To get any reviews on Google, you must be signed up with them. Pretty simple logic.
You must claim your business immediately if you are not listed on Google Business Profile.
One study found that 84% of people find businesses on GMB through organic Google searches, compared to just 16% who would come to your site through direct searches (searches by people who already know and are looking for your business).
For another, the “near me” category of local intent searches dominates all Google searches.
The frequency with which the “near me” phrase appears in Google searches has increased by 900% in recent years.
If you haven’t already set up your Google Business Profile, doing so should be your priority number one. Once you have done that or already have your GMB page, move on to the next topic.
Get A Google Review Link
Getting a Google review link is simple; you can follow the instructions here.
Getting the link is easy, but you must take it further by deploying it to get more Google reviews.
Here are some tips:
- Add review links to emails: If you have an email list, be sure to add your Google review link to every email you send. This is especially effective when you send follow-up emails to new customers you have recently serviced (and you are sending follow-up emails, aren’t you?).
- Add review links to web pages: Your website has prime real estate for your Google reviews link. Add the link or button to your home, contact, or service pages so people looking to leave a review for your business can do so easily just by visiting your website.
- Include review links in text messages (SMS): Whether you send a templated SMS message to recently serviced customers or reach out to them with a personalized message, it’s a great idea to include your Google Review link in the text.
Request Reviews
The next step to getting more Google reviews is simply requesting them.
Incorporating automated review requests can increase your reviews up to 1,000%.
However, I’ve found that plumbers who combine digital review requests with in-person requests accumulate to post reviews.
Here are some of the best ways to request reviews:
- DataPins: Use DataPins software, which sends automated review requests (via text & email) after each plumbing job.
- In-Person: It’s best to ask for Google reviews for plumbers as soon as you finish the job, but in-person is still an effective way to get more reviews.
- QR Codes: QR codes also make it easier for people who prefer mobile browsing to leave a review for you. Print a QR code that leads to your Google review page on business cards or other branded materials.
- On your Website: You should already have reviews on your official website. So if you do, make sure to add a simple request like “If you would like to review us as well…” and then a link to your Google review page.
Remember to be polite when asking for a review in person, via text, or email.
Let the customer know how much their review means to your business.
Most people are more than willing to help a local business if it has done a good job, so let your happy customers know that their review means a lot.
The Optimal Google Review Rating
Many plumbers assume that a perfect 5-star rating is ideal. But in these cynical times, that’s not actually the case.
Studies show that online consumers grow suspicious of businesses with a perfect 5-star rating.
A perfect 5-star rating may signal to skeptics that the reviews are fraudulent or coerced (e.g., special discounts for positive reviews).
While the ideal Google review rating isn’t an exact science yet, most people believe it’s somewhere between 3.7 and 4.9 stars.
Chances are, your company doesn’t have a perfect 5-star rating.
However, too many negative reviews can harm your reputation just as much.
The key to fostering a generally positive aggregate rating is constantly generating reviews so that the negative ones are overwhelmed by positive ones.
Responding to negative and positive reviews can also help your reputation, showing other users that you care about your customers and hear their concerns.
You should not worry about maintaining a perfect 5-star rating; consumers expect and even prefer companies with ratings between 4.5 and 4.9.
Reputation Management for Plumbers
Google reviews for plumbers are part of your digital marketing campaign’s broader reputation management strategy.
Reputation management expands to other digital platforms, including review websites like Yelp, Facebook, local business directories, and more.
Effective reputation management can also help you get more Google reviews.
Luckily, my agency, Plumbing Webmasters, provides full reputation management services.
Using plumbing SEO, my agency can help you get more Google reviews, increase brand awareness, and establish yourself as a plumbing authority.
Contact me today to learn more about this service.
