How to Get More Online Reviews for Your Gettysburg Business Without Being Pushy

Gettysburg, PA, is a historic town that brings in many tourists, which means if you own a business, your reputation is important. When people are searching the internet for places to visit, they are likely checking what people are saying about your business on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. 

Timing Is Everything: Ask When the Experience Is Fresh

One of the best times to ask for a review is right after a customer has had a positive experience with your business. People are more willing to share their feedback when the experience is still fresh in their minds. Don’t overthink how to ask for reviews. Recommended timelines for when to ask for reviews would be

•  immediately after the service happened in person
• within 24-48 hours for online services or phone calls
•  within a week for events or longer experiences

Make Leaving a Review Easy

Let’s face it, most people ignore things that take too many steps or are an inconvenience. If you ask someone to leave you a review,  you should provide the link to the page so they are more likely to leave one. Add it to your receipts, email signatures, booking confirmations, a QR code or your website so it’s always within reach. The easier it is to find, the more likely someone will take a minute to share their thoughts. 

Use Follow-Up Emails or Texts

Sometimes people get busy and don’t think to leave a review, even if they had a positive experience. A small reminder through text or email can encourage them to leave a review. Start by thanking them for visiting your business or using your service. Then, check in on their experience, ask how everything went, and make it clear you genuinely care about their feedback. Last, include a link to your review page so leaving feedback is easy and effortless. This is a great way to show customers that you value their feedback and make them feel appreciated.

Offer Value, Not Bribes

It can be tempting to offer discounts for reviews, but that’s actually against Google policy. Google considers it dishonest, and it can actually hurt your business’s reputation. Instead, you focus on creating a way that naturally encourages feedback. Let customers know that by leaving a review, they are helping improve Gettysburg tourists’ ability to find businesses worth visiting. When you emphasize the value of their input and how it benefits others, people are more willing to share their honest experiences. 

Highlight Positive Reviews to Inspire More

People love to be recognized by businesses that they enjoy and support. Highlighting them on your social media pages not only helps more people gain trust in your business but also encourages others to leave a review in hopes of being highlighted. It’s authentic content that shows your business is appreciated, and it subtly encourages others to leave their own reviews.

Respond to All Reviews

It might be tempting to ignore negative reviews, but responding to all feedback, either good or bad, is one of the best things your Gettysburg business can do. Quick, kind, and thoughtful responses show that you’re engaged, professional, and care about your customers’ experiences. Responding professionally also encourages more people to leave reviews, because they know their opinions will be read and valued. 

Final Thoughts

Online reviews in Gettysburg, PA,  help your business tremendously. They help attract tourists and locals to your storefront or website. Being proactive about asking for reviews and responding to them is important. If you’re struggling to encourage online reviews for your Gettysburg business, contact Fuhrman Creative today for help creating a reviews strategy.