Google does not allow paid reviews. For instance, you cannot directly pay a client to leave a review without being in violation of Google’s policies. Additionally, you cannot request reviews with incentives (i.e. the first 100 people to leave a review are eligible for a giveaway, etc.). You can, however, incentivize your staff to get reviews from clients, vendors, etc.
Here are some ideas on how to get reviews:
- Incentivize your team. Run a promotion where the salesperson/service tech/customer service rep/etc. with the most client reviews in a quarter receives a bonus. This is not paying those leaving the review, but incentivizing your team members to ask for reviews. Completely OK.
- Build the ‘ask’ into your sales process. For instance, after a project is complete, ask the client if they would like to leave a review (if appropriate, a photo of the finished project carries more weight online). No issues.
- Automated review requests via SMS or email marketing platforms are a great option, especially for businesses that get foot traffic and have a check-in/check-out process (ex: dentists, med spas, doctor offices, etc.)
- Make it easy by having a QR code at the point of sale or on someone’s phone who is face-to-face with clients. Great idea for anyone with physical traffic at their location(s).
- Ask all vendors (and the team at your vendor that supports your organization) to leave reviews for your business. These should all be 5 star!
- Don’t sleep on your team, ask your employees for reviews. They should give reviews and they should be five star. If they are not, perhaps a different conversation is in order!
Implementing any of these processes will help get those review numbers up and maintain a stream of quality reviews that help your organization get noticed online!