Woman holding phone illustrating review requests

What Percentage of Consumers Check Google Reviews Before Buying a Product?

February 12, 20253 min read

Have you ever checked Google reviews before making a purchase? If you have, you're definitely not alone. In fact, studies show that a staggering 98% of consumers read online reviews before deciding to buy a product or service. More importantly, 81% specifically check Google reviews to gauge the credibility of a business.

For service-based businesses in Queensland, these numbers highlight a massive opportunity—and a potential risk. If your Google reviews aren’t up to par (or if you’re not actively collecting them), you could be losing customers to competitors with stronger online reputations.

That’s where Caroline Douthwaite and her team at Taipan Media come in. They help businesses automate the process of collecting customer feedback using automated review requests and SMS automation—ensuring you build a steady stream of positive reviews without the manual effort.

Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever

1. Google Reviews Influence Purchasing Decisions

A business with more positive reviews and a higher star rating naturally attracts more customers. Research from BrightLocal confirms that 46% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

2. Higher Reviews = Higher Search Rankings

Google considers reviews a key ranking factor for local SEO. More 5-star reviews and regular feedback can help your business appear higher in local search results—meaning more potential customers find you first.

3. Reviews Impact Revenue

A Harvard Business School study found that a one-star increase in a business’s rating can lead to a 5-9% revenue increase. That’s a powerful incentive to start actively collecting more positive feedback.

Business owner using SMS automation to request Google reviews

How Automated Review Requests Help Boost Your Reputation

Manually asking for reviews is time-consuming, and let’s be honest—most customers forget to leave one. That’s why SMS automation is a game-changer. By sending automated review requests via SMS at the right moment (like after a service is completed), businesses can dramatically increase the number of reviews they receive.

Benefits of SMS Automation for Review Requests:

  • Higher response rates: Text messages have a 98% open rate, far higher than emails.

  • Instant reminders: Customers get a simple link to leave a review while their experience is still fresh.

  • Less manual work: No need to chase customers for reviews—they receive friendly, timely reminders automatically.

How Taipan Media Can Help Your Business

Caroline Douthwaite and her team at Taipan Media specialize in helping Queensland businesses automate their review collection process. Using cutting-edge SMS automation tools, they make it easy for service-based businesses to build a strong online reputation—effortlessly.

Why Choose Taipan Media?

✅ Seamless integration with your existing systems
✅ Customizable messaging for brand consistency
✅ Automated follow-ups to increase review conversions
✅ Insights and analytics to track review trends

Customer leaving a 5-star review on their phone

Get Started Today

If you’re serious about boosting your Google reviews and growing your business, now’s the time to take action. Don’t leave your reputation to chance—automate the process with Taipan Media and watch your online presence soar.

📞 Ready to get started? Visit Taipan Media today to learn how Caroline Douthwaite and her team can help you take control of your online reputation with automated review requests and SMS automation.


Related Articles:


By leveraging automated review requests and SMS automation, you can ensure your business stays ahead of the competition and attracts more customers effortlessly.

Description: Discover how 81% of consumers rely on Google reviews before buying. Learn how Caroline Douthwaite and Taipan Media use automated review requests and SMS automation to boost your business reputation.

Automated review requests for businessesSMS automation for customer feedbackBoost Google reviews with automationImprove online reputation with SMS tools
blog author image

Caroline Douthwaite

Founder of Taipan Media since June 2024.

Back to Blog

Explore a better way to grow

0493 336 540

All Rights Reserved Taipan Media 2024