Today, your next big client is checking your Google reviews before they ever call. And if you’re not actively collecting reviews, you could be handing business over to a competitor without even realizing it.

Keep reading to find out how Google reviews help your business, why a few less-than-perfect ones aren’t a dealbreaker, and what you can do to start collecting and using them with minimal effort.

Google Reviews = Better SEO

Google loves fresh content, and customer reviews count. When your clients leave reviews, it tells Google your business is active, relevant, and worth showing to more searchers.

More reviews also help you appear in the “Local Pack,” those top three map results people see when they search for things like “printing company near me.” That’s digital real estate you don’t want to miss.

A steady stream of reviews also helps reinforce keywords naturally. If someone leaves a review that says, “Great banner printing!” or “Fast postcard turnaround,” you’re getting keyword juice without even trying.

More Reviews = A Competitive Edge

Would you rather choose a printer with 7 reviews or 70?

Most people equate review volume with popularity and trust. If your competitors have more reviews than you, they’re probably getting more clicks and more calls. Flipping that script by collecting more reviews than your competition is a simple way to stand out in local search.

“What If I Get a Bad Review?”

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The fear of a negative review holds a lot of businesses back.

But here’s the thing about reviews..

Perfect is suspicious.
Trust is built through authenticity, not perfection.

Behavioral scientist Nancy Harhut explains that when people see reviews that include a little doubt or skepticism, they perceive the overall feedback as more believable. A wall of perfect 5-star reviews doesn’t feel real; it feels curated.

In fact, the ideal review rating is between 4.2 and 4.5. That sweet spot tells prospects you’re a strong business and a real one.

If someone does leave a negative review? Responding with professionalism and a solution-oriented attitude can boost your credibility, not harm it.

How to Get More Reviews (Without Bugging People)

Getting more Google reviews doesn’t mean nagging your customers. It just means making it easy and expected.

Here are a few smart, low-effort ways to do it:

• Use a tool like LoyaltyLoop. This print-industry-ready software automatically sends customers a post-job survey and encourages positive feedback to be shared on Google. It also helps you spot unhappy clients before they vent publicly, and can even generate new leads from happy ones.

• Print QR codes on packaging or invoices. A simple sticker that says, “Love your print job? Tell Google!” with a QR code to your review page can go a long way.

• Follow up via email. Send a short message after a job is complete: “Thanks for choosing us! Would you mind sharing your experience?” Include the review link front and center.

YOUR TURN:

Log into your Google Business Profile, copy your review link, and share it with one happy customer. That’s step one.

Don’t Just Get Reviews, Use Them

You worked hard for those reviews, so don’t let them sit buried on your Google listing.

Your best marketing copy? Your customer’s own words.

Here’s how to make the most of them:

Add Reviews to Your Website

If you have a website through us, use the Testimonial feature page to showcase quotes throughout your site. It’s already built in and easy to update. If you want something more dynamic, try a free widget like Elfsight’s Google Reviews tool to pull live reviews straight from Google onto your website.

Here’s a quick way to decide: LoyaltyLoop is best for getting the reviews. Testimonial pages and widgets are best for displaying them.

You don’t have to stick to one designated review page or spot, either. Sprinkle reviews on product pages or quote forms. Highlight a testimonial on your homepage, website slider, or sidebar ad.

Use Reviews in Email Marketing

Emails with reviews convert better because they build trust faster.

Add a short review to your monthly newsletter. Include a client quote about a specific product in promotional emails. Drop a testimonial into your email signature. The ideas are limitless.

Bring Reviews into Social Media

Social posts that feature real reviews are highly engaging.

• Turn a customer review into a branded quote graphic.

• Screenshot a great review and post it with a caption.

• Pair a testimonial with a photo of the finished print job it refers to.

Include Reviews in Your Print Collateral

Let your offline marketing benefit from online feedback.

Add reviews to invoices, packing slips, and thank-you cards. Print a rotating customer quote on the back of postcards or rack cards. Or, highlight testimonials on signage or tradeshow displays.

When someone picks up a piece of your marketing, digital or physical, and sees a quote from a real customer, it gives your message a boost of authenticity.

A Little Help From AI

Not sure what reviews to use where? Use AI for that!

Copy and paste your Google reviews into ChatGPT using a knowledge file and tell it to use them throughout your marketing content. AI will then grab reviews to use within your copy in the appropriate place.

Want to Make Google Reviews Work for You?

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful (and free!) tools in your marketing toolbox. When paired with a steady flow of authentic reviews, it builds trust, boosts visibility, and helps you win more print buyers.

Here’s how to start:

• Log into your Google Business Profile and grab your review link.
• Share it with one happy customer today.

Make it easy to help your happy customers do the marketing for you.