Why and how Facebook Reviews help grow your business
You already know that Google, Bing, and Yelp reviews help your business' visibility, closing rates, and are vital to future growth, but... What about Facebook Reviews?
In quick summary, yes! Facebook reviews are now being pulled by search engines like Google, Bing, and even ChatGPT and other AI systems. This article will go more in depth, but if you came here to find out whether you should get reviews on other platforms outside of Google... of course!
Why Facebook Reviews Matter
On your Facebook profile in the "Intro" section, at the bottom, people can click to read or give you a review. Reviews are vital! They tell the social media world that all your posts, your phone numbers, your promises are true because someone took the time to leave a review.
- 45% of Facebook users read reviews for service businesses before calling
- Homeowners spend 20 minutes per day on Facebook
- 66% of adults state after reviews they'll use messenger instead of calling
Example of Good Facebook Marketing
The image below shows Gator Metal Roofing is not only killing it with design, but they are pushing Facebook as a primary local search lead generator. With 99 reviews, anyone searching Facebook for anything metal roofing or metal work is going to see them within 15-30 miles, maybe further.
Example of Bad Facebook Marketing
Page Roofing & Contracting Services, LLC (profile link here) has great imagery and posting regularly, but they haven't optimized their profile to allow people to see and give reviews... This showcases a poor understanding of how social media works. Social media is about engagement and showing proof. Every one of their posts are deflated because they don't allow or didn't know how to showcase reviews.
Followers Don't Matter and Can be a "Con" by Agencies
Page Roofing has 910 followers. We're guessing they hired an offshore company who got 100s of offshore accounts to follow. Followers don't matter if they won't buy from you. If these were real, they should have 2% of all followers leaving a review. That would be 18 or more reviews, but they have ZERO.
Reviews Everywhere Matters
People are searching for you differently than before...
Customers are increasingly turning to AI, Google, Bing, and social media to discover local home improvement companies. Just as you check reviews when purchasing from Amazon, so do homeowners, HOAs, and local businesses. No matter where they encounter your business, it's crucial to have reviews that demonstrate you are the top choice. With 45% of local customers reviewing your Facebook feedback before reaching out through your page, having those reviews is essential; otherwise, you risk missing a call or Facebook message. While they continue to search “near me,” they are now also asking AI,
“Who’s the best gutter company in [city]?”
Then AI will respond like this:
"Here are 3 roofing companies close to your address. I've listed all three options and a description of each for you.... ABC Roofing has 172 online reviews with a 4.9 rating across 7 different platforms and is within 15 miles of your home. Here are the links to each of their online profiles...
How to Get More Facebook Reviews
1. Ask, but Don’t Beg
Think of this as the business version of “Shoot your shot.” After completing a project, simply ask your happy customers to leave a review where they feel comfortable but mention the platforms by name:
"Hey Jenny and Tom, could you do me a favor, I'm not asking you to refer me to a friend or family, I'm not greedy, but my business thrives on reviews. Could you write me a review on Google or Facebook?
PRO TIP: Then months later you could even consider retargeting them for the same review on the other platform. So if they chose Google, send them an email or text with a link to your profile, etc. This is how you build reviews across multiple platforms with the same customer!!!
Additional Tips to get more reviews:
- Get a QR code with your Google Review link and Facebook link on it. All they have to do is open their phone's camera, scan the code and boom you have a link.
- Respond with 4 business hours, why? People want to be thanked and the platform will see that you are engaged with your local community.
- DO NOT pay for reviews, you'll get banned from the online platforms. Don't risk losing your Google Business profile or Yelp profile by trying to scam the system. Once revoked, you'll never get it back and these platforms while nasty themselves, are vital for your growth and visibility.
- Add a QR code for online reviews to all your invoices. Simple, easy, and fast way to remind paying customers to give you some online review love.
- Create a bonus structure for all employees on reviews they can get but follow above rules.
How to Handle Negative Facebook Reviews
Negative reviews happen. But you can flip the script by handling them like a true professional:
- Stay Calm: Resist the urge to type furiously in all caps.
- Respond Quickly: Acknowledge the issue and apologize if necessary. Offer to take the conversation offline—it shows class.
- Learn from It: Sometimes, negative feedback is a blessing in disguise. Use it to refine your services.
- Bury It With Positivity: A few bad reviews don’t matter when you’ve got a tidal wave of glowing ones. Keep collecting those positives!
Summary of Facebook Reviews Impact
Facebook reviews matter in the eyes of AI, local search engines, and your customers. Don't be lazy. Go out there and get them, and if you find it to hard to get them, partner with us and we'll help out. Click the button below to learn about our full service Chief Marketing Program.
