You Sell on Google
You get your aunt, your three best friends, and your partner to leave 5-star reviews on your new business.
They all write “Fantastic place, highly recommended!”. You feel proud, but days go by and your business still isn’t moving up the map.
Why?
Because for Google’s algorithm, the number of stars is only half the equation. What truly ranks your shop is the text accompanying those stars. Google needs context to know exactly what you sell and who it should show your business to.
For a review to help you overtake your local competition, it needs to include specific keywords.
Here is the 3-question template you should give your trusted customers so they leave the perfect review:
1 What product or service did you buy? (Instead of “great service”, they will write “the daily lunch menu” or “the tire replacement”).
2 What area or neighborhood are you in? (This gives Google the exact location of the benefit: “in downtown Valencia” or “near the square”).
3 What did you like most about the experience? (This adds real value for other users who might be hesitant).
Take action: Next time a regular customer tells you in person how happy they are with your work, don’t just say “leave me a review”.
Ask them this instead: “Would you mind dropping a quick note on Google about what we prepared for you today and how you liked it?
It really helps other neighbors in the area find us.” That tiny shift in the text is pure gold for your local SEO.
