Customer reviews have become one of the strongest trust signals for small and local businesses in Assam. Whether someone wants to visit a restaurant in Guwahati, book a salon in Jorhat, order fresh vegetables from Dibrugarh, or hire a photographer in Silchar — the first thing most people check is Google Reviews.
Google Reviews affect not only customer trust, but also how high your business appears in Google search results and Google Maps.
A business with consistent, positive reviews stands out immediately. In the era of Local SEO, reviews are digital word-of-mouth, and they play a crucial role in business growth.
Why Google Reviews Are Important for Local Businesses
Customer decision-making
Most customers prefer to choose businesses with:
- Higher ratings (4.3+)
- Positive and recent reviews
- Photos added by customers
- Genuine comments describing good experiences
These reviews make new customers feel more confident to visit or contact the business.
Reviews impact Google Maps and Local Pack ranking
When someone searches:
- “best bakery in Tezpur”
- “AC repair near me”
- “budget hotel in Golaghat”
Google shows a Local Pack (top 3 map results). Businesses with:
- More reviews,
- Higher average rating,
- Recent activity,
rank higher in this pack.
Real benefits for Assam and Northeast local businesses
Improving Google Reviews helps:
- Increase footfall for shops, restaurants, medical stores
- Get more appointments for salons, clinics, and tuition centers
- Boost orders for delivery-based services like tiffin service and cake shops
- Build trust for service providers like realtors, digital marketers, hotels, travel agencies
For small and medium businesses in Assam, Google Reviews can become a free and powerful marketing tool.
Prerequisites Before Asking for Reviews
Before requesting reviews, your Google Business Profile (GBP) must be complete and verified.
Essential elements:
- Verified business listing
- Correct Business Name, Address, Phone Number (NAP)
- Updated working hours
- Accurate categories and services
- High-quality photos of your shop, products, branding, team, etc.
- Add website link if available
Also ensure customers can easily find the Google review page. If the link is hidden or hard to access, the number of reviews decreases.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Customer Reviews the Right Way
Step 1: Generate and share your Google review link or QR code
Customers should be able to leave a review in just one click.
Where to place review link or QR:
- Website footer and contact page
- WhatsApp messages after service or purchase
- SMS/email receipts
- Printed posters inside the shop
- Packaging stickers
- Invoices and business cards
A QR code in-store works well for restaurants, salons, electronics shops, and clinics.
Step 2: Ask for reviews at the right moment
Timing matters — when the customer is satisfied and happy, the probability of getting a review increases.
Best moments:
- After delivering a product in good condition
- After a successful consultation or appointment
- After providing support or repair service
- When a customer compliments your service verbally
Step 3: Use multiple channels for requesting reviews
People in Assam prefer different communication platforms. Ask through:
- In-person request
- WhatsApp message
- SMS reminder
- Follow-up email
- Facebook / Instagram DM
- Thank-you note with review link after purchase
Consistency increases the number of reviews.
Step 4: Use polite and personalized messages
Politeness and personalization make customers willing to respond.
Example WhatsApp message:
“Thank you for choosing our service! If you liked the experience, kindly share a Google review. It will really help our small business grow in Assam. Here’s the link: (review link)”
Never copy-paste the same message for every customer. Personal tone always works better.
How to Display and Maintain Reviews
Getting reviews is not enough — how you showcase and respond to them matters.
Showcase positive reviews
You can display selected reviews on:
- Website homepage and testimonial page
- Instagram stories/posts
- Facebook posts
- Printed standees or frames inside your store
This builds trust for new customers.
Respond to all reviews professionally
- Thank customers for positive reviews
- Address negative reviews politely with solutions
- Avoid excuses or arguments — focus on customer experience
Genuine reviews only
Never use:
- Fake reviews
- Paid reviews
- Reviews from non-customers
Authenticity is important for long-term Local SEO growth.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these practices while collecting reviews:
Pressuring customers or demanding reviews
Offering cash or rewards for reviews
Posting reviews from the same phone/device in bulk
Ignoring negative feedback
Deleting your review link if you get 1 bad rating — instead, improve and keep collecting new ones
Assam-Focused Local SEO Tips
To make review collection more effective in Assam, apply local communication style.
Use multiple languages
Many customers express better in:
- Assamese
- Hindi
- English
- Bodo
- Bengali
Allow them to choose a comfortable language.
Emotional connection works
Phrases like “support local business in Assam” create emotional engagement.
Mention cities naturally
Businesses serving:
Guwahati, Silchar, Nagaon, Jorhat, Tezpur, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Sivasagar, Kokrajhar, Tinsukia and nearby towns — can highlight their service area to attract local queries.
WhatsApp plays a major role
Most customers in Assam prefer WhatsApp over email.
Sending review requests through WhatsApp significantly increases response rates.
Google Reviews are a powerful Local SEO asset for every business in Assam. They improve customer trust, increase visibility on Google Maps, and drive more walk-ins and online orders. With a verified Google Business Profile, correct NAP information, and a systematic review-collection strategy, any local business can grow without spending money on paid ads.
If you need help with:
- Google Business Profile setup & optimization
- Getting more Google Reviews ethically
- Local SEO for Assam-based businesses
- Website design and digital marketing for small businesses
You can contact me anytime.
Let’s work together to grow your local business digitally in Assam.