Google Maps and TripAdvisor positive customer reviews

[blanes2007]

We recently started a small business (massage shop). Despite the fact that our customers are satisfied with the service, they are very reluctant to leave reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor - which in turn affects our rankings on those sites and eventually visitor traffic. At the same time, some of our "competitors" were closed permanently during the pandemic, but their obviously dead accounts are still above us in "spa" rankings just because they have many reviews collected in previous years. Paid advertising on TripAdvisor starts from 16,000 baht, and such costs will definitely not pay off.

 

I don't want to mess with dodgy Internet services that cheat reviews using bots and fake accounts with Indian and African IP addresses. Both Google Maps and TripAdvisor now easily spot them and could ban my business profiles. All I need is only 1-2 new reviews a day from a real аccounts with normal online history and binding to Thailand.

 

An Indian tailor's shop next to us has several thousand positive customer reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, and even gained some sort of "TripAdvisor's customers choice" status. What is his secret? There are many small Indian businesses in our neighborhood, their owners know each other and act as a mutual promotion network...

 

Any thoughts?

[DrukenMallardy]

Are you getting constant customers at the moment?

 

A good way to increase reviews is to get them to do it there and then in the shop with incentives.   For example, a special coupon for like X% off your next massage, or a small freebie for a google review/tripadvisor review or both!  Something easy for people to do while they enjoy their post massagae tea (if it's offered).  Get them to show the review to claim their coupon/freebie.