Insurance

Top 3 Benefits of Using Google Reviews For Your Agency

Published: March 17, 2022

Need a credibility boost? Discover how you can make your agency or brokerage part of the internet conversation. With everyone looking at ratings online, the use of Google reviews can heavily assist in boosting your agency or brokerage’s digital reputation. In this webinar recap, learn from CH Insurance’s David Graham on how and why reviews are good and what effect they have on your search engine optimization, or SEO.

1. People trust online reviews as much as they trust recommendations from a friend or family member.

Graham shared that we leave our personal biases at the door when we are looking at reviews online. In fact, 78% of shoppers trust online reviews as much as personal referrals. Additionally, the number jumps to an astounding 91% for the youth and young adult audience, aged 18–34. This proves that online reviews are on the rise and becoming more and more powerful. “You have to live in this space now,” Graham said. “You have to live in it on a daily basis because you could get a one-star review and not be aware of the effects it has on your agency.”

2. The current state of reviews is all about reputation vs. location.

The pandemic has shifted the way we live and the way we work. It is no different from how we currently search for things online. “People used to look for the best agency, restaurant or hotel,” he shared. “Now, we search for things like ‘safest’. Individuals just want to know that they can trust you and your business.”

3. Google reviews are critical for the SEO of your business.

According to Graham, one thing people are noticing more and more is the number of Google reviews your business has. For example, an agency or brokerage with more reviews is more likely to pop up first within a general search listing. “Even with all your analytics tools, you will fall below other local businesses that have five-star reviews and have comments associated with them,” Graham said.

All in all, Google reviews are critical for your agency/brokerage. Not only do they provide your business with a credibility boost, you also don’t have to spend the extra cash. Some of the many benefits of getting Google reviews include Google ranking for local SEO, growing your online presence and getting real-world responses on how your community feels about the work you are doing.