How to Overcome a Bad Google Business Review with a Professional Response
Don’t let one bad review spoil your online reputation
Last year, I helped a small business owner, let’s call him ‘Sam’, get registered in Google Business listings. I explained that without ‘being in Google maps,’ his business wouldn’t show up in local search results.
We created a Google Business listing with photos of his work. Still, with zero reviews, it lacked credibility despite his 30 years in business. A competitor had over 20 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Sam tried asking customers to leave a review for him. Two of them gave him a 5-star rating but without an accompanying review.
Then things went from bad to worse when an irate customer left him a 1-star review. The review was pretty insulting and spoke of poor workmanship. It included some photos and the complaint that the work was left unfinished. I texted Sam. He explained that the job was custom, the homeowner had under-ordered, so he had to leave the job unfinished when the materials ran out. He also had a few choice words about having twice been told he could come to finish the job and having driven a long-distance only to find he couldn’t get in to complete the work.
“I don’t think it’s worth it,” Sam said. “Do you really think we have to be in…
