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How to Use Yelp and Google Reviews to Boost Visibility

  • Writer: Rafael Ch
    Rafael Ch
  • Jun 7
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jun 8

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1. Introduction

Online reviews are the new word-of-mouth—and in Houston’s competitive market, they can make or break your small business. Platforms like Yelp and Google Reviews not only influence consumer decisions but also impact local search rankings. In this post, we’ll show you how to leverage both Yelp and Google Reviews to increase your visibility, build trust, and drive more customers through your doors.

Screenshot of a Yelp business profile showing a 4.5-star rating with 179 reviews, two highlighted customer reviews by Mike D. and Lisa P., and a blue button labeled ‘Get more reviews.’
This image displays a typical Yelp business profile interface.

2. Why Reviews Matter for Local Visibility

  1. Social Proof & Trust

    • 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.¹

    • High star ratings and positive feedback signal credibility to potential customers in Houston neighborhoods.

  2. Local SEO Benefits

    • Google’s Local Pack often factors in average rating and review count when ranking businesses.

    • Yelp frequently appears on the first page for “business type + Houston” searches, siphoning traffic if you aren’t optimized.

  3. Conversion Driver

    • Businesses with 4+ stars on Google see a 30% lift in clicks to their website compared to lower-rated peers.²

    • On Yelp, profiles with at least 50 reviews convert at significantly higher rates in categories like restaurants, salons, and home services.

¹Source: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2024²Source: Womply Small Business Census 2023

3. Claim and Optimize Both Profiles

3.1. Google Business Profile (GBP)

  • Claim Your Listing: Visit google.com/business. If already claimed, request ownership.

  • Complete Every Field: Add accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone), business hours, services, and a keyword-rich description.

  • Add High-Quality Photos & Videos: Aim for 10+ photos and at least one short video clip.

  • Enable Messaging & Q&A: Turn on the messaging feature and monitor the Q&A section daily.

3.2. Yelp Business Profile

  • Claim Your Page: Go to biz.yelp.com and search for your business. Claim or create your listing.

  • Complete Profile Details: Fill in categories, specialties, price range, and service areas.

  • Add Photos: Upload at least 5 professional photos of your storefront, interior, products, or team in action.

  • Set Up Messaging & Deals: Enable Yelp Message to chat with customers and create a Yelp Deal or Check-In Offer.

4. Solicit Reviews Ethically and Effectively

  1. Timing Is Everything

    • Ask for reviews immediately after completing a positive customer interaction—e.g., after a service, delivery, or purchase.

    • For in-person businesses, provide a friendly reminder card with a QR code linking directly to your review page.

  2. Make It Easy

    • Share direct links to your Google Review and Yelp pages via SMS, email, or receipts.

    • Use short URLs or QR codes to reduce friction.

  3. Scripted, Personalized Requests

    • Email Template Example:

      “Hi [Name], thanks for visiting [Business Name]! If you enjoyed your experience, would you mind leaving us a review on Google or Yelp? Your feedback helps us serve Houston better. [Link to Google] | [Link to Yelp]”

    • Personalize each message with the customer’s name and reference the service provided.

  4. Avoid Review Gating & Incentives

    • Never condition discounts or freebies on a positive review—this violates both Google’s and Yelp’s policies and can lead to profile penalties.

    • Instead, encourage honest feedback and address any negative comments privately first.

5. Respond to Every Review

Screenshot of the Google Business Profile reviews tab showing a 5-star average rating, review count, and individual customer comments with dates, alongside a ‘Write a review’ button.
Yelp Profile Reviews Section

  1. Positive Reviews

    • Thank the reviewer by name, reference specific compliments, and invite them back.

      “Thank you, Maria! We’re thrilled you loved our Montrose coffee blend. We look forward to brewing for you again soon!”

  2. Negative Reviews

    • Acknowledge the issue, apologize sincerely, and offer a private resolution.

      “We’re sorry to hear about your experience, John. Please DM us or email support@[domain] so we can make this right.”

  3. Yelp-Specific Tips

    • Use the “Private Response” feature to initiate a direct conversation without broadcasting details publicly.

    • Leverage Yelp’s “Compliments” badges to highlight trending praises on your profile.

  4. Google-Specific Tips

    • Pin important reviews with the “share” feature on your Google Business dashboard.

    • Answer FAQs in the Q&A section to preempt common negative questions.

6. Leverage Reviews in Your Marketing

  1. Embed Review Widgets

    • Use free plugins to display Google and Yelp reviews on your website’s homepage or sidebar.

  2. Share on Social Media

    • Create quote graphics of 5-star reviews using Canva and post them on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

  3. Include in Email Newsletters

    • Feature a “Review of the Month” section in your newsletter to showcase satisfied customers.

  4. In-Store Displays

    • Print and frame top reviews to display at your brick-and-mortar location to build trust with walk-in traffic.

7. Advanced Tactics

  1. Yelp Advertising

    • Consider Yelp Ads to appear at the top of relevant category searches. Monitor ROI carefully and adjust daily spend based on performance.

  2. Google Local Services Ads (LSA)

    • For service-based businesses, apply for Google LSA to show up above standard search results with a “Google Guaranteed” badge.

  3. Review Monitoring Tools

    • Use free or low-cost platforms like Google Alerts, Mention, or BrightLocal to track new reviews and brand mentions.

  4. Seasonal Campaigns

    • Encourage holiday or event-related reviews (e.g., “Share your Fourth of July party experience at [Business Name]! #Houston4th”) to generate fresh content and visibility spikes.

8. Measuring Success

  1. Key Metrics

    • Review Quantity & Quality: Track the number of new reviews and average star rating on both platforms monthly.

    • Engagement Actions: Monitor calls, direction requests, and website clicks from GBP; message volume on Yelp.

    • Search Visibility: Use Google Search Console to measure Local Pack ranking improvements; track Yelp search impressions in Yelp for Business.

  2. Reporting Cadence

    • Create a simple monthly dashboard in Google Sheets or Data Studio pulling in review counts, star ratings, and referral clicks.


Ready to turn reviews into revenue? Schedule a Free Review Strategy Audit with DIstrategiesM. We’ll help you optimize your Yelp and Google profiles, craft effective review-request workflows, and integrate social proof into your marketing.


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