Why User Reviews Are Important for Local SEO
New studies show 9 out of 10 consumers read reviews before making a purchase or visiting a business and almost 75 percent of consumers will only move forward if they read a positive review. Most people know online reviews can affect business, but not everyone knows they can also affect local search results. Saba SEO, an SEO company San Diego businesses trust, examines a few of the ways customer reviews impact local SEO.
Local Reviews Create Unique Content
Local reviews are a great way for your business to generate unique, fresh content. It packs an added punch if the reviews are good, which encourages readers to visit your site. This user-generated content is more influential, and users typically hit on the long tail keywords your target audience would use when searching for your product. Reviews help you attract a target audience that is more likely to take action.
Google Likes Highly Rated Sites
Along with other local factors, such your business name, phone, and address, Google prefers sites with reviews. Google rewards favorable reviews with a better position in the rankings because they give your business credibility and authority.
Reviews Are Proof
Reviews are essentially social proof that people do (or don’t) like your company or product. Most people need reassurance before making a purchasing decision, and user-generated reviews are often one of the best sources for consumers. For instance, if two restaurants show up in a Google search, but one has 3 stars and 500 reviews and one has 4.5 stars and 300 reviews, the one with more stars is still likely to be chosen over the one with more reviews and a poorer score.
Other Review Sites Hold Weight
Reviews on Google are not the only ones that count. Customer reviews on sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and OpenTable can also impact local SEO. Having positive reviews on all these sites can help your business dominate the search results.
To learn more about the importance of local SEO and other aspects of search engine optimization, get in touch with Saba SEO at 858-951-1717. We are a leading provider of San Diego PPC management services and many other crucial SEO services. Get in touch with us today to find out the many ways we can help your company grow.
