Hey {{ first_name | there }},
Landing those first few Google reviews can feel like shouting into a void, especially when your competitor has a 10-year head start and 500 reviews to show for it.
Most contractors look at that gap and give up before they start.
I get it. But here's what they're missing.
What Google Is Actually Measuring
We had a client recently who felt exactly this way. Skeptical that a handful of reviews would move the needle against the local giants in their market.
After hitting just 10 reviews, they started seeing ranking movement.
This is because Google doesn't rank the most reviewed business. It ranks the most relevant one right now.
Google would rather recommend a business people are talking about this week than one that was popular in 2019.
That's the whole insight. Momentum beats volume.
The Play for the Little Guy
Stop looking at their 500 reviews. Start building your cadence.
Two to three reviews every week signal to Google that you're the active, trending choice in your market. A competitor coasting on old reviews is giving ground whether they know it or not.
This client isn't in the local pack yet. But they have the wind at their back.
Once Google recognizes you as the relevant, current choice in your market the rankings start to compound. The gap closes faster than you'd think.
Where to Start
Set up an automated SMS review request that fires 30 minutes after every completed job. Track your response rate weekly. 30% is healthy. If you're below 15%, something broke earlier in the customer experience.
Two to three reviews a week. Every week. That's the system.
The local giant is beatable. You just have to be more relevant today than they were yesterday.
- Zach, Founder at Venveo
HVAC contractors, I expanded on how to effectively get leads on autopilot with local SEO specifically for you. Check it out here.