Google reviews have become the modern equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations. Every time you share your experience with a local coffee shop, your favourite hair salon, or that amazing plumber who saved your basement from flooding, you’re not just expressing your thoughts—you’re actively shaping that business’s digital reputation. In today’s interconnected world, your voice online carries significant weight, influencing potential customers and directly impacting businesses. Taking a few minutes to leave a Google review is a powerful way to support organisations you love, offer constructive feedback where needed, and contribute to a more transparent and helpful online marketplace.
Why Google Reviews Matter for Businesses
Customer testimonials on Google serve as powerful social proof in today’s digital age. For a business, these ratings can mean the difference between thriving and struggling. Positive feedback boosts visibility in local search results, with Google’s algorithm favouring highly rated companies. Studies show that 90% of consumers read online evaluations before visiting a business, and 88% trust them as much as personal recommendations (Saleh, 2024).
Beyond attracting new customers, this feedback provides valuable insights that can help an enterprise understand their strengths and identify areas for improvement. They create a dialogue between businesses and customers, showing that the customer opinions are valued, and they are committed to providing excellent service.
For small businesses especially, these public assessments level the playing field against larger competitors with bigger marketing budgets. A robust collection of authentic, positive testimonials can help local businesses compete effectively in the market.
At Think Creative Agency, we guide our clients through setting up strategies to get these all-important Google reviews such as including direct review links in email signatures, encouraging Google reviews in return for a discount on your next purchase, or a simple SMS follow up for maximum impact. If you need help with getting Google reviews for your business, get in touch with our team today.
Step-by-Step Guide to Leaving a Google Review
Ready to make your voice heard? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to leaving your feedback on Google’s platform:
Sign in to Your Google Account
Before you can share your valuable feedback, the first crucial step is to ensure you are signed in to your Google account. This is the key that unlocks your ability to interact with Google’s vast ecosystem, including leaving reviews. You are all set if you already use Gmail, YouTube, or any other Google service. If not, creating an account is free and straightforward.
On your computer, visit google.com and look for the “Sign In” button in the top right corner. If you’re not already signed in, click this button and enter your credentials. On mobile devices, you can sign in through the Google app or any Google service app like Maps.
Remember that your feedback isn’t anonymous—it will appear under your Google account name and profile photo. This transparency helps maintain the integrity of the rating system and allows businesses to respond directly to your comments.
If you’re concerned about privacy, consider updating your Google profile to display only the information you’re comfortable sharing publicly before submitting your thoughts.
Search for the Business on Google
Once you’re signed in to your Google account, the next step is finding the business you want to rate. Open Google Search and type the name of the company along with its location for more accurate results (e.g., “Sunrise Cafe Sydney”).
If you know the exact address, you can also use Google Maps. Open the Maps application, type the business name or address in the search bar, and press Enter. The business should appear on the map, possibly with a red pin marking its location.
For organisations with multiple locations, make sure you’ve selected the correct branch you visited. Each location has its own separate Google listing and evaluation section, so your feedback goes to the right place.
If you’re having trouble finding the listing, try adding more specific details to your search, such as the neighbourhood or nearby landmarks.
Click on the “Write a Review” Button
After locating the listing, you’ll need to access the feedback section. On a computer, look for the business information panel on the right side of Google Search results or directly on Google Maps. Scroll down until you see the “Reviews” section.
Within this section, you’ll find a button labelled “Write a review.” It usually appears as text or sometimes as a blue button with a pencil icon. Click on this to begin the evaluation process.
On mobile devices, after selecting the business in Google Maps, scroll down the business information card until you see “Reviews.” Tap on the “Write a review” option, which might be located under a section that shows the overall rating.
If you’re using the Google Maps app, you might also see the option to rate and share your experience in the bottom panel after selecting a business.
Choose Your Star Rating
Now comes the moment of truth—assigning a star rating to your experience. The platform uses a 5-star rating system, where 1 star represents a poor experience, and 5 stars indicates excellence.
Take a moment to reflect on your overall experience with the business. Consider factors like quality, service, value, atmosphere, and how well they met your expectations. Try to be fair and objective, remembering that your rating significantly impacts the business’s reputation.
Here’s a general guideline for star ratings:
- 5 stars: Exceptional experience, exceeded expectations
- 4 stars: Excellent experience with minor room for improvement
- 3 stars: Average experience, met basic expectations
- 2 stars: Below average, disappointed with significant aspects
- 1 star: Poor experience with major issues
Remember, a thoughtful rating helps other consumers make informed decisions and provides valuable feedback to the business.
Write a Detailed Review
After selecting your star rating, it’s time to share the details of your experience. A helpful assessment goes beyond just saying “great service” or “terrible experience”—it explains why you felt that way.
- Start by mentioning what specific products or services you used. Include details about your visit: when you went, what you ordered or purchased, who helped you, and any notable interactions. Highlight what stood out positively or negatively.
- Be specific and constructive in your feedback. Instead of saying, “The food was bad,” explain, “The pasta was overcooked, and the sauce lacked flavour. This specific detail helps the business understand how to improve and other customers know what to expect.
- Keep your comments honest, respectful, and focused on your personal experience.
- Avoid exaggerations, assumptions about business practices you didn’t directly observe, or personal attacks on staff members.
Aim for 3-5 sentences at minimum for helpful feedback, though businesses and potential customers always appreciate sharing more details.
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in customer testimonials. Adding relevant photos can significantly enhance the helpfulness of your evaluation by providing visual context to your written feedback.
Look for the camera icon or “Add photo” option in the review interface. You can upload photos directly from your device. Consider sharing images of:
- Products you purchased
- Meals you enjoyed (or didn’t)
- The interior or exterior of the establishment
- Particular features you mentioned in your assessment
Before uploading, ensure your photos are clear, well-lit, and relevant to your experience. Avoid uploading images with other customers’ faces clearly visible without their permission, as this could infringe on their privacy.
Quality matters more than quantity—a few good photos illustrating your points are more valuable than many poor-quality images. Remember that your photos will be publicly visible and associated with your Google profile.
Submit Your Review
After writing your assessment and adding any photos, it’s time to publish your feedback. Look for the “Post” or “Submit” button, at the bottom of the review form. Click this button to finalize and publish your evaluation.
Google will briefly process your submission. This usually takes just a few seconds, but it occasionally might take longer if the system needs to review your content to ensure compliance with the platform’s feedback policies.
Once submitted, your comments appear publicly on the business’ Google listing. The business owner will likely receive a notification about your new input, allowing them to read and respond to your feedback.
If you don’t see your contribution appear immediately, don’t worry—it may take a short while to be processed and published. You can check if your assessment is live by revisiting the business listing or checking your contributions in your Google account.
Edit or Delete Your Review
Sometimes, you may want to update your feedback based on new experiences with the business or correct information. The platform allows you to edit or remove your assessments at any time.
To modify a review you’ve submitted, return to the listing on Google Maps or Search. Find the “Reviews” section and look for your contribution, which should be labelled as “Your review.” Next to your comments, you’ll see three dots (⋮) or an edit icon (pencil). Click this to access options for editing or deleting your feedback.
You can edit any aspect of your evaluation—change the star rating, modify your written comments, or add/remove photos. After making your changes, click “Post” or “Update” to save them.
Common reasons to edit your assessment include:
- The business addressed the issues you mentioned previously
- You had a follow-up experience that changed your perspective
- You noticed factual errors in your original comments
- The business has new ownership or management
Remember that maintaining accurate, up-to-date evaluations helps both businesses and other consumers.
Share Your Review
After posting your assessment, consider sharing it with others to amplify its impact. Google makes it easy to share your feedback across various platforms.
On desktop, look for the share icon (usually represented by an arrow or three connected dots) near your published comments. On mobile, you may need to tap on your feedback first to see sharing options.
You can share your evaluation directly to social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, send it via email, or copy a direct link to your contribution. This is especially helpful when friends or family are looking for recommendations for the type of business you’ve rated.
Sharing positive assessments helps promote businesses you love while sharing constructive criticism can warn others about potential issues. Either way, sharing extends the reach of your feedback beyond Google’s platform.
Some organisations also appreciate when customers share positive testimonials with them directly, as they might feature them on their website or social media channels.
Common Issues When Leaving a Google Review & How to Fix Them
Even with the straightforward process, you may encounter some obstacles when trying to submit your feedback. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:
Reviews not appearing on Google can be frustrating after taking the time to write your thoughts. This typically happens due to filtering systems that flag suspicious activity or content that violates guidelines. To fix this, wait 24 hours, as there may be a processing delay. If it still doesn’t appear, try editing and resubmitting without using extreme language, links, or promotional content. Focus solely on your personal experience with specific details.
Business not appearing in search results often occurs when searching with vague terms or when businesses haven’t claimed their Google Business Profile. To resolve this, try adding the specific location to your search (city, neighbourhood, street), use the exact business name, or search by their address. If all else fails, try using the Google Maps app instead of the search engine, as it sometimes yields different results.
Account restrictions preventing reviews might happen if your account is new, has left many reviews in a short time, or has been flagged for suspicious activity. Google limits review capabilities to maintain authenticity. The solution is to wait a few days before trying again, ensure your Google account has some history (use other Google services), and verify you’re not connected to the business’ Wi-Fi network when leaving your review.
Remember, patience is key when dealing with these technical issues. Most resolve themselves within 24-48 hours.
How to Get More Reviews
Accumulating a healthy number of authentic Google reviews is essential for business growth in today’s digital marketplace. Here are effective strategies to ethically increase your review count:
Create a Simple Review Process
Make leaving feedback as effortless as possible for your customers. Create a direct link to your Google review form that you can share via email, text, or printed materials. This eliminates several steps in the review process and significantly increases conversion rates.
Ask at the Right Moment
Timing is crucial when requesting reviews. The ideal moment is right after a positive experience—when a customer expresses satisfaction, after a successful service completion, or following a purchase they’re excited about. Their enthusiasm translates into more detailed, authentic reviews.
Train Your Team
Ensure all customer-facing staff understand the importance of reviews and know when and how to request them appropriately. Create scripts they can use that feel natural and non-intrusive. Staff should be trained to identify satisfied customers who are likely to leave positive feedback.
Follow Up After Service
Implement an automated yet personalised follow-up system that reaches out to customers 1-3 days after their interaction with your business. Include a thank you message and a direct link to your Google review form. This gentle reminder often captures feedback from satisfied customers who forgot to leave a review.
Respond to Existing Reviews
Engage with all positive and negative reviews in a timely, professional manner. When potential reviewers see that you actively respond to feedback, they’re more likely to contribute their own experiences, knowing their voice will be acknowledged.
Showcase Reviews Across Channels
Feature your best reviews on your website, social media, and marketing materials. This serves as social proof and reminds other customers that leaving reviews is a standard, appreciated action.
Create a Review-Centric Culture
Build reviews into your business culture by making it part of your standard operating procedure. Mention reviews during checkout, include review requests on receipts, and train staff to verbally request reviews as appropriate.
Leverage QR Codes
Place QR codes that link directly to your Google review form on receipts, packaging, business cards, and in-store signage. This provides an instant way for customers to leave feedback while your business remains top-of-mind.
From Ratings to Results: Make Reviews Work for You
For businesses, Google Business Profiles have become essential online visibility and reputation management tools. These profiles serve as digital storefronts where potential customers form their first impressions, making review management a critical aspect of modern marketing strategy. Properly optimised business profiles with robust review sections improve local search rankings, build consumer trust, and provide invaluable customer insights that drive business improvements.
Ready to elevate your business’s online presence? Think Creative Agency offers comprehensive Google Business Profile optimisation and review management services that transform customer feedback into powerful marketing assets. Our expert team helps companies claim and verify their profiles, implement strategic review generation campaigns, prepare professional responses to customer feedback, and leverage positive reviews across multiple marketing channels. We’ll develop a customised strategy that showcasing your best testimonials while constructively addressing negative feedback. Contact us today to discover how we can enhance your digital reputation, improve your local search rankings, and convert online visibility into real business growth.
Let’s Turn Positive Feedback into Business Growth
In today’s digital-first world, Google reviews are more than just ratings—they’re powerful trust signals that influence buying decisions and boost your visibility online. When managed effectively, they become one of the most valuable (and cost-effective) marketing tools your business can leverage.
At Think Creative Agency, we help brands like yours transform reviews into reputation-building assets. From setting up optimised Google Business Profiles to developing automated review generation strategies, our team will craft a plan that turns happy customers into vocal advocates.
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