These days, the first thing potential customers do before choosing a business to buy a product or service from is Google it. Eighty-eight percent of customers read Google reviews to determine the status and quality of a local business before engaging with them and 74 percent report that positive reviews make them trust a business more.
When it comes to marketing your garage door repair company, having positive Google reviews are an important way to stand out in a competitive arena and build trust with customers. Plus, Google now considers the total number, overall score and consistency of incoming reviews in their search algorithm. This means having positive Google reviews will boost your SEO ranking and help with how easily your business is found online.
But how do you get more customers to leave glowing feedback? Here are eight easy tips:
- Check out your Google profile and reviews
You know what they say about the power of first impressions. Take a few minutes to see how your business looks online. Is your Google profile up to date with new photos, accurate contact details and recent reviews? Establish your baseline score and number of reviews. This quick self-check will help you see things from a customer’s perspective. Make sure your business hours and service areas are current, as these details can influence customer decisions.
- Don’t forget to ask your customers to share their garage door repair experience
Right after a job is finished, encourage your team to ask the customer to leave a Google review. You’d be surprised how many happy customers will provide feedback if you just ask. Internally, track reviews by each technician to see how things are going. To make it easier for customers, consider sending a follow-up text or email with a direct link to your Google review page.For those that need some incentivization to make that ask, consider offering a reward for the technician that brings in the most reviews.
- Offer a small incentive to encourage reviews
If customer reviews don’t come naturally, a small perk—like a discount on their next service or chance to win a gift card—could be just the nudge they need to post a review.
- Respond to reviews—good and bad
Show customers you’re listening by responding to every review. Thank people for positive feedback and if there’s a complaint, take it as an opportunity to show you care. Apologize if necessary and offer a solution. New customers will see that you’re attentive and responsible, which goes a long way in building trust. Personalize your responses when possible—mentioning specific details can make customers feel heard and valued.
- Consider a third-party vendor to support
Between service calls, managing your team and handling day-to-day operations, staying on top of online reviews might feel like one task too many. Consider hiring a third-party vendor to assist in obtaining, tracking and responding to reviews. These vendors can also help analyze review trends and provide insights to improve service quality, contributing to a better overall customer experience.
- Use reviews as social proof in marketing
Don’t let positive reviews sit unnoticed on your Google profile. Repurpose them by featuring excerpts in your social media posts, website testimonials, or marketing brochures. Highlighting real customer feedback can strengthen your brand’s reputation and make potential customers feel more confident about choosing your business.
- Monitor for fake or malicious reviews
Unfortunately, not all reviews are genuine. Keep an eye out for spammy or fraudulent reviews and report them to Google as needed. Ensuring your review profile is authentic and credible can protect your brand’s image.
- Consistently do your best
Last but certainly not least; here is a simple but important tip: do good work. Make sure you and your team deliver professional, friendly service that hits (or hopefully exceeds) customer expectations every single time. If you’re a business owner with a team out there doing the work, make customer service training a part of everyone’s skill set—even for your technical experts.
What’s next?
Following these tips will help you build a stronger online reputation for your garage door repair business, boosting your visibility and credibility.
Another way to keep your customers happy is using high-quality, durable garage door parts. OHD Parts has a wide range of options for garage doors, pedestrian doors and truck doors— register now and start shopping.