Google reviews are an essential part of an insurance agency marketing strategy. They not only influence consumer decisions but also impact your Google ranking. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how your agency can consistently get more reviews and improve its online presence.
1. Get Your Google Review Link
The first step is to create a direct link for clients to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. This link makes it easy for customers to navigate directly to your review page, minimizing friction in the process.
To get this link:
- Log in to your Google Business Profile.
- In the main menu, find the “Ask for reviews” option.
- Generate a direct link that can be shared with clients.
You can send this link via email or include it in a QR code to place in your office, on business cards, or within your email signature.
2. Create a Consistent Process
The key to generating more reviews is consistency. Develop a system that integrates review requests into your daily business processes. Here are some triggers for asking for reviews:
- After a positive interaction such as policy renewals, claims assistance, or new policy sales.
- When a customer expresses satisfaction during routine conversations.
The goal is to ask every happy customer for a review. Don’t be afraid to make this a routine part of your client communication.
3. Use Automated Email Campaigns
Another effective approach is to automate review requests through email. By setting up an automated campaign, you can send timely emails requesting reviews from customers after key touchpoints. Not only does this save time, but it also ensures you’re consistently reaching out to clients for feedback.
You can also use specialized review generation tools. Services like Lift Local and others offer review generation software that automates this process, helping you request and collect reviews without requiring manual intervention.
4. Keep Reviews Fresh and Varied
Having a large number of reviews is great, but both Google and potential clients prefer reviews that are recent and cover a range of experiences. Aim to get new reviews regularly, rather than in large batches, as consistency and recency play a significant role in how Google ranks your business.
Additionally, it’s important to gather reviews from different stages of your client’s journey. If all your reviews mention only the sales process, your profile may seem one-dimensional. By asking customers at various stages—such as after renewals or claims—you’ll create a more diverse and robust review portfolio.
5. Respond to All Reviews
Engage with both positive and negative reviews. Responding shows that you value feedback and care about improving customer experience. Both positive and negative reviews present opportunities for you to have meaningful conversations with your customers. Positive reviews are great opportunities to up-sell and ask for referrals. Calling to say thank you for a positive review can kick off this conversation. When you receive a negative review, address it immediately and work to resolve the issue. This gives you an opportunity to turn a dissatisfied client into a loyal one.
6. Can I Remove Bad Reviews from Google?
Many agents wonder if they can remove bad reviews from their Google profile. According to Google’s guidelines, reviews can only be removed if they are deceptive or inappropriate. Deceptive reviews involve false, deceptive, or fraudulent information and inappropriate ones include offensive language or harassment.
However, most bad reviews are due to misunderstandings, and in these cases, Google won’t remove them. Your best bet is to reach out to the customer directly, resolve the issue, and ask them to update or remove their review once their concerns are addressed.
7. Trickle In Reviews for Steady Growth
Instead of trying to get a flood of reviews all at once, space them out over time. This not only helps you stay on Google’s radar but also ensures that you’re regularly updating your review count. Services like Lift Local use algorithms to send review requests gradually, ensuring a steady flow of feedback rather than overwhelming your system all at once.
Conclusion
Getting more Google reviews is essential for improving your insurance agency’s visibility and credibility. With the right approach—whether it’s using direct links, automating review requests, or responding to feedback—you can create a sustainable review generation process that helps your agency grow consistently. Focus on making it a routine part of your interactions, and soon you’ll see your reviews multiplying!