The power of QR Codes in local SEO: get more Google reviews

July 03, 2024 by Ann Taylor

Probably the most important section of your Google My Business profile is the reviews page. When it comes to building trust and converting prospects into customers, there’s nothing more powerful than positive reviews from existing customers. Plus, more Google reviews almost always translate into an improved local SEO standing.

But, just because someone is satisfied with your services doesn’t mean they’ll go out of their way to review your business. Getting a comprehensive review from most people will take some effort on your part. Thankfully, you don’t need to do a lot. A QR code can help make the review process easier for your customers. In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • The importance of Google reviews in local SEO
  • How a QR code can help you get more Google reviews
  • How should you promote this QR code to skyrocket your Google reviews as well as local SEO

Let’s dive in.

Importance of Google reviews in local SEO

Google reviews play a vital role in local SEO. Generally, the more 5-star reviews a business has on Google, the higher it tends to rank on the search engine.

Trust and credibility

Positive Google reviews send powerful trust signals. They build your credibility as a service provider. Search engines like Google look at a business’s reviews before making it more visible against relevant search queries.

Highlight relevant keywords

Google reviews can be comprehensive. Your customers can share their entire experience in a single review. This can have a hidden benefit for your business. The words and phrases someone uses in their review can help search engine bots understand your business. For instance, if someone uses “Good plumber in Alaska”, it’d signal that your business is located in Alaska.

Google Map pack ranking

Here’s what a Google Map Pack for the search query “Best Cobblers in Alaska” looks like:

Google Map Pack

To rank on Google Map Pack, get as many positive reviews as possible. Another important ranking factor is how complete your Google My Business profile is.

What’s a QR Code?

A QR code is a symbol that represents hidden information. It leads to that information when scanned by a mobile phone scanner.

Benefits of using a QR Code for Google Reviews and local SEO

Let’s quickly discuss the benefits of creating QR codes for Google reviews.

Convenience

You can put your Google reviews page behind a QR code and make it easier for customers to visit it. Without a QR code, customers will have to manually enter your Google reviews page URL into a browser.

Increased review volume

Use a QR code for Google reviews and you’ll start noticing a significant rise in the number of reviews. As a result, your local SEO will start improving as well.

How to Create QR Code for Google Reviews

Now that you know why should you create QR code for Google reviews, let’s delve into the step-by-step process of creating one.

Copy your Google Reviews page link

Start by going to your Google My Business profile and finding your reviews page link. This is the URL you’ll have to copy and paste into the QR code generator tool.

Create QR Code

To create QR code for Google reviews, or any other link, you’ll have to pick a QR code generator. Visit www.business-qr-code.com and register for a free personal account. The service lets you create QR codes and virtual business cards. Enter your Google reviews page link and download the QR code as PNG or JPEG.

Create QR Code

Customize your QR Code and test it

You can customize your QR code, but make sure to run a quick test on different devices before sending it to your designer or the print company. The last thing you want is a dysfunctional QR code. This can happen because some devices don’t have the option to scan QR codes with additional elements such as colors and logos.

How to promote a QR Code for Google Reviews

Once you have a QR code that leads to your Google reviews page, it’s time to promote it to all your happy customers.

 

Add it to visible places (such as marketing material)

Your offline marketing assets such as brochures, flyers, and van graphics deserve a QR code spot. This way, you can ask a customer on-the-go to review your business. Other places to add your QR code for Google reviews would be a countertop, store entrance, and dining tables (For restaurants and cafes). As a rule of thumb, make your QR code easily accessible to customers.

Offer incentives

While most of your customers will go ahead and review your business with a simple nudge, some of them may require an incentive (E.g., 20% off on their next order).

Offer great services

This goes without saying, you need to offer top-notch services. This includes your product’s quality and customer service.

Dining tables (for restaurant & cafe businesses)

If you’re a restaurant or cafe owner, dining tables are a great place to add your QR code. You can ask every customer about their experience and request them to scan the QR code to leave a review.

Create a QR Code for Google Reviews for free

Imagine asking a supposedly happy customer for a Google review and they leave a 3-star rating. You can’t do anything about bad reviews except move on. However, what if we told you there’s a way you can avoid negative reviews altogether?

With “Business QR Code”, you can generate a QR business card. The virtual card has a review button that leads to private feedback. If the feedback is positive, it directs the customer to your Google reviews page. If not, you can address their concerns and avoid getting a negative review.

More Google reviews suggest your business is popular. More 5-star reviews indicate your business has a lot of happy customers. Search engines look at your Google My Business profile reviews to determine your local SEO and rank you for relevant search queries. By using a QR code, you can make the review process a lot easier for happy customers, which can boost your review rate and local SEO.

Generate a Business Card for Google Reviews