the abc review strategy by blend

ABC Review Strategy Blend Local Search Marketing Ltd Tel: +44 203 114 5119

Are You Loosing Reviews? Fed up of Google’s Ever Changing Guidelines? Don’t Worry Help is at Hand!

Gaining Reviews Using iPads, VPN’s or Wi-‐Fi?

We have noticed as of late there have been a lot of questions relating to reviews gathered in the office, directly post treatment, with many disappearing within a few days, or simply not appearing at all on Google + Local.

With this in mind, we have addressed the subject to clarify any misconceptions and avoid any possible penalties.

With a growing trend in mediums being used such as iPads and smart phones in offices, there has been a direct correlation in the number of reviews being filtered out by Google and other review websites alike. This hasn’t happened my coincidence.

Review sites, especially Google + Local and Yelp from our experiences, really are taking no prisoners when it comes to filtering out reviews. It could be conceived as being slightly draconian in nature, but they are willing to lay the law down in order to keep their sites ‘spam’ free.


We understand that 90% of the time there was no genuine intention to commit any foul play, it was simply not being aware of their often grey guidelines; however we are faced with having to play to their rules if we are to succeed online, there is no other way.

Why can’t you use the office iPads?

Whilst it’s not prohibited in any formal guidelines, the likelihood of the review sticking is quite low. The reason being that your iPad is generally connected to your office Wi-‐Fi that has a unique IP (Internet Provider) address. Constant reviews from the same IP will instantly flag up the Google spam filters and no doubt ban your review.

What about using 3G or 4G on the iPads to bypass the Wi-‐Fi problem?

Although it’s still uncertain to what degree Google can track the MAC serial number (the unique iPad serial number), we would strongly advise against this, as its very uncertain territory, and there probably is not a short cut that you have considered that Google haven’t J

How about using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Not a good idea, the truth of the matter is there is no sustainable way of gaming Google. It would look unnatural to have reviews with no local IP address by using a virtual private network (VPN).

In essence we need to keep reviews looking as natural as possible: Independent IP and an independent mobile device/ MAC serial number. No short cuts I’m afraid!


I don’t do any of the above why am I still losing reviews????

Fresh Google Accounts

Reviews from newly formed Gmail accounts (a pre requisite for leaving a review on Google + Local) are generally discarded by Google making the whole process rather fruitless.

Consider directing customers to alternative review sites (Yelp, City Search and Judy’s Book etc.) they may currently use if they don’t

currently have a Gmail account.

This will create a healthy mix of reviews from numerous sources. (Please note that reviews from third party review sites do help in boosting your Google + Local ranking). We would recommend you have a nice 50/50 split between Google reviews and third party review site reviews.

Best Practises for Reviews

• Let them be natural! We come across many sites that never dip below 5 star reviews, whilst we have no doubt you probably carry out a sterling job, it’s doesn’t seem credible to a customer or Google that you never dip below excellent. What we’re trying to say is let customers be completely honest in what they write; every review doesn’t have to be completely amazing for your business to still feature well.

• Reply to your reviews! It’s often overlooked once the review is posted, and it certainly won’t do your business any harm, especially if you have any bad reviews, but don’t forget those positive ones too.

• Don’t cut and paste reviews! Taking a review from Google + Local and pasting it onto your website or other third party review sites can land you in hot water. Your original Google review will almost certainly disappear. Consider using a screen shot as an alternative (use ‘Jing’ to do this)

• Don’t panic! Even if you have not infringed with any of Google’s guidelines, you will see reviews occasionally disappear for no apparent reason. Be patient as from experience they often pop back up a few weeks later.

• Don’t keyword stuff or write essays! Reviews with forced keywords or that are purposely really long will do you know favours. We find that a nice honest paragraph will suffice.

• Never post on behalf of your clients! Clients must always post the review themselves gone are the days of perfumed letters.


• Don’t offer incentives! Although Google have by setting up kiosks in a shopping centre in return for various Google goodies, it’s very much a case of do as we say, not as they do. Any form of compensation for a review is currently strictly prohibited. Asking for a review is fine; just don’t bribe your customers into doing so.

• No direct link if possible. We know this is no easy feat, but if possible try not to give a direct link to your Google+ page. The reason being is that Google can ascertain the previous website your users were viewing before they reached your Google+ Local page. It can be seen as forced if they visit your Google+ Local page directly.

A little trick ;) A business can review other businesses, so use it to your advantage! Give and get reviews from colleagues, associations and suppliers.

Fear Not Solutions Are At Hand

Below are 3 methods that can safeguard your hard earned reviews.

The ABC review method, ‘cos it’s easy as 123!

Handouts

Given that reviews from third party review sites such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, City Search, etc. Are performing well independently in Google’s search results, and additionally boost your Google+ Local ranking, we would advise to try out the “ABC” review method.

The whole principle is to give your customers numerous review options; you can use the ‘ABC Review Hand-‐outs’ we have designed to do so. You not only increase the chances of gaining a review, but the likelihood is said customers will have some previous “review history” from having reviewed other businesses on another occasion. You can simply give the handouts to your customers when they leave the office, or send them in the form of a mailshot or newsletter.

The end result will be more reviews from numerous unique local IP addresses in your area spread evenly over different review platforms, which will in turn boost your presence online.


Contact us here to order your pack of 5 ‘ABC Review Hand-‐outs’.

Website Badges

A Review This Biz box will be designed and incorporated onto your website, see screenshot below:

Courtesy of www.BeachBraces.org

Customers Smart Phones

So we can’t get reviews from the office’s iPads and smart phones, but we can from the customers!

Give them a nice cup of coffee, tea and a healthy muffin, sit them down and let them review away.

Disclaimer: This is in no way a bribe, just a goodwill gesture ; )


Users will need to have the Google+ Local application on their smart phone, see below. (It’s free and takes seconds to install).

On a final note take into consideration that the rules change all the time, what’s working or is within the guidelines today but not be tomorrow, so it’s well worth keeping up to speed with all the latest developments.

If you have any further questions, would like to order your personalised website ‘Review This Biz’ box or custom hand-‐outs, please contact us by email or visit or blog: http://blendlocalsearchmarketing.com/how-‐to-‐get-‐more-‐local-‐online-‐reviews-‐for-‐your-‐business-‐that-‐stick/

Blend Local Search Marketing Ltd Overseas House, 66-68 High Road, Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire, WD23 1GG

Phone: +44 203 114 5119 http://www.BlendLocalSearchMarketing.com

the abc review strategy by blend

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