Absolutely! Yes, Google customer reviews linked in your GMB (Google My Business profile) are critical to your local company’s online credibility.
Tips for the best Google Reviews
The Integrated Approach: Request reviews via links and QR codes. But remember: track the scan.
Photos are Digital Assets: A customer review with an image helps in a big way. I shared a photo from a fishing trip on Lake Erie; it was viewed over 90,000 times. That is free, high-intent advertising for that business. Encourage your clients to snap a photo!
Keywords Matter: When customers mention your specific services (like “bathroom remodel”), Google uses that text to rank you in local searches. You aren’t just ranking for your name; you’re ranking for the work your customers say you do.
A customer review with an image can “help in a big way!”
For example, I participated in a chartered fishing trip on Lake Erie and had a fabulous day and a large catch! I left the company a review and included pictures from my outing. As a Google user, Google lets me know the impact I’ve made through my image submission. My photo submission was viewed over 5,000 times in just seven months and over 90,000 times since 2022. My review is an important digital asset to this business.
Yes, Google Photos and Reviews matter tremendously!
Customer reviews mentioning your services help you rank for that service
In this search query, I typed “bathroom remodels.” Google used the information from where I was physically searching to show me three businesses from Google Local Business profiles in my area that have the words “bath,” “bathroom,” and remodel/remodeling as part of their customer reviews.
Note, in this Google Maps local search result listing, my business search results are not solely based on the company name and self-chosen provided services the company provides; instead, the highlighted important factor is whether the company’s Google reviews said they provided bathroom remodeling services.
Request reviews from customers. You can share links and even QR codes.
The Pro Move: Tracking Your Reputation
If you want to be “Super Pro,” don’t just send people to your review page. Track them.
The beauty of the digital world is that we can measure everythingโeven physical interactions. If youโre a business owner putting a QR code on a “Thank You” card or a restaurant table, you should know exactly which placement is driving your 5-star reviews.
How to Add UTM Tracking to Your Google Review Link:
Here’s an overview. I provided a deeper dive in the post, “The QR Code Trap: Why your client’s print campaign is silently failing.”
- Get your link: Go to your Google Business Profile and click “Get more reviews” to copy your direct review URL (it usually looks like
https://g.page/r/XXXXX/review). - Add the UTMs: Append parameters to identify the source.
- Example:
https://g.page/r/XXXXX/review?utm_source=qr_code&utm_medium=thank_you_card&utm_campaign=review_drive
- Example:
- Shorten & Generate: Just like your landing page links, run this through a shortener before creating your QR code to keep it scannable.
Why do this? Because in three months, youโll be able to look at Google Analytics and say: “Our ‘Thank You’ cards in the shipping boxes generated 45 reviews, but the QR code on the front desk only generated 2.” That is how you stop guessing and start growing.
