Everyone in the e-commerce world knows how important it is to build trust and forge relationships with customers. With the growing competition today, being able to increase your credibility in your particular industry will certainly give you an edge.
Google, the leading search engine for many years now, understands this. For six years, they ran the Google Trusted Stores program for merchants, which was beneficial for both sellers and buyers. It was a ratings and certification program that provided sellers a boost of authority and trustworthiness while assuring customers of the e-store’s reliability.
However, just recently, those who were part of the program were automatically migrated to the new one that replaced it— Google Customer Reviews. Of course new merchants are also welcome to join this through the Google Merchant Center. It’s still free, after all.
Why Google Trusted Stores Program was Phased Out
Google Trusted Stores was relatively a successful program. It benefited merchants who qualified for it. Nevertheless, it was actually quite challenging for them to become eligible. They needed to have an average of 200 orders from customers per month and there were also strict and vigorous customer service requirements that had to be met.
On the contrary, the new Customer Reviews program is a more streamlined version that is good for both merchants and consumers. You don’t need to meet strict requirements. All you have to do is put in the opt-in that appears after a purchase is completed. This way, the buyer can be sent a feedback form to review your store and his/her shopping experience.
How Google Customer Reviews Program Works
The new program is free of charge and more customer-centered. It’s a great way to collect feedback from consumers and thus develop a good seller rating that will attract people to your business.
You can actually opt to display the feedback on your own site as well as on Google Shopping. This can also be part of your text ads so that those searching on Google will instantly see how your previous buyers were satisfied by the products they got from your online store.
Now here’s another perk— your Google Customer Reviews badge! Just like with the previous program, you can also have a badge to display on your site and to appear with your search results. It is very helpful in validating your e-commerce website, giving the impression that it’s safe to shop at your store and you offer good value too.
So how are you supposed to collect the reviews that boost your seller rating and that give you feedback?
Well, upon setting it up through the Google Merchant Center, customers who complete purchases on your website are asked to opt-in. This way, they are sent a survey via email which includes a feedback form about their experience.
You’ll actually be able to manage the reviews in your Customer Reviews dashboard. There are four important elements that you’ll find here, namely the opt-ins collected, the surveys sent, the responses received, and your seller rating.
In order for your seller rating to appear on your badge and also on your ads, you should receive 30 to 150 reviews within a one-year period. The rating will appear in the form of 1 to 5 stars.
Many have reported that the new program is more efficient and more advantageous for both parties— buyers and retailers alike. It also makes it easier and faster to manage your account. What’s more, you can customize your badge too and even the opt-in that is displayed on your website.
The Benefits of Google Customer Reviews
If you aren’t on this program yet, then you better check it out and start now. Here are the reasons why:
- Greater Credibility and Trustworthiness
With the Google Customer Reviews badge displayed with your ads and on your site, you gain better credibility as a retailer. You will surely be able to instill trust, which is a huge factor that consumers consider when buying online.
Furthermore, having a good seller rating will also make people trust your brand more.
- Easy Control of Data
The new program of Google for online merchants enable you to have easier control of your company and review data. All the information are now centrally located in your Customer Reviews account. You’ll be able to manage them better and customize and use accordingly.
- Better Insight on Customer Feedback
Because only those who have purchased from you are asked for feedback, the whole process plus the actual results are more genuine. You will surely gain better insight on the feedback of actual customers, which will help you improve your products and services in the long run. It will help you understand their needs and wants too.
- Improved Traffic for Your E-Store
If search results show your ad, product page or website with a Google Customer Reviews badge and a good seller rating, searchers are more likely to click on it more than others. Hence, your click-through rate (CTR) will go up. This has actually been proven by Google’s research that shows a 10% increase in CTR because of their new program.
In addition, you can choose to make good feedback transparent so as to show your strengths and advantages. This will attract more potential customers.
- Increased Conversion Rate
Traffic is one thing. Conversion is another.
For online merchants, conversion matters more. If you cannot convert visitors into actual buyers, then your business will not really profit.
Now if on your site, people see your badge, your seller rating, and actual feedback from your previous customers, it will give them the impression that you’re a trusted brand. In comparison to stores without such displayed data, you will surely gain more conversions.
- It’s Not Too Difficult
All you need to do is to login to your Google Merchant Center account and click the three dots on the top right corner of Google Merchant Center. You will be able to enable Customer Reviews. In order for it to work properly, Your Store Wizards can install this for you for a small fee with a small monthly hosting charge.
The information is likely to drive visitors to buy more than if it wasn’t there in the first place.
If you’re serious about growing your business and your overall profit, you should certainly strive to be part of this new Google program.
Learn More! https://yahoo.yourstorewizards.com/gocure.html