Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Google’s really done it this time. The “write us a Google review” steps that worked so well for so long soon will work no more.
In the new layout of Google+, if you send customers to your local page they will see no way to write you a review, because there is none. (Sure, there’s a little button that lets users switch to “classic view,” but that won’t last long.)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Once the “new” Google+ has rolled out universally and there’s no option to use the “classic” layout, you’ll only have two ways to get customers to the place where they can write a review: (1) tell them to search for your business by name on Google.com if they’re on a desktop or (2) tell them to use the Google Maps app if they’re on mobile.
There have always been at least a few serious downsides to those two methods:
- Customers use different browsers and devices.
- The Google Maps app hasn’t always given you the option of writing a review.
- Google wouldn’t always pull up the right Google page – the one you want reviews on – even if you don’t have problems with duplicate listings.
Soon you won’t have a choice. (Why Google did this is a whole separate discussion, for another day.)
You can no longer even add a parameter to the end of your Google-page URL to have the “write a review” window pop up when your customer clicks the link (e.g. https://plus.google.com/+localvisibilitysystem?review=1).
I’ll probably have to update my battle-tested instructions for the 4th or 5th time since 2011, at which point you can order a slick one-page PDF that makes a frustrating process simple as possible for customers.
Until I get around to that, here’s a rough outline of the easiest steps you’re asking reviewers to do:
- Sign into Google Plus OR create a Plus page if you don’t have one already.
- Type in such-and-such to pull up our page; do this at Google.com if you’re on a desktop or in the Google Maps app if you’re on mobile.
- Find the “Write a review” button and write your review.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Also, the type of link Mike Blumenthal suggests may still work. (Of course, that only works for email-based requests. I usually suggest asking in-person and following up by email when necessary.)
The kicker is that Google still requires reviewers to have a Google Plus page in order to write a review, which has been a PITA since May of 2012. I heard murmurs some months ago that Google will go back to requiring just a Google account (not a Plus account) to write a review, but I need to go back and try to find where I heard that. In any case, I’m guessing Google will stop requiring a Plus page sooner or later.
Anyway, Google reviews will continue to be huge for your local visibility, even if Google’s made it a little harder for you to get them. Roll with the punches.
Any thoughts, tips, or workarounds?
Have you tried asking for any reviews since the layout change?
Leave a comment!