Are you among the 56 percent of local businesses that haven’t claimed their Google My Business? If so, you’re missing out on a key opportunity to support your local SEO efforts. Maybe you’re not convinced of the benefits local SEO has for your business. It could also be that, like many business owners, you just don’t have time.

Are Google reviews really that important? Don’t the testimonials on a business website serve the same purpose?Yes. Google reviews are critical when it comes to attracting new customers. And, no, the testimonials on your website, or even your Facebook page, won’t provide the same benefits as Google reviews. It is much more difficult to fake Google reviews than to post phony testimonials on your own website. Greater credibility increases the value in the eyes of consumers.

A significant 97% of business leaders claim that online reputation management is important to their business. We live in a digital world where anyone can hop behind a keyboard and wreak havoc on your brand image with one sentence. Staying on top of what they’re saying, why they’re saying it and who they’re saying it to can be a full-time job. One place where this is especially important? Google My Business.

Yelp has been around since 2004. When it comes to online reviews for brick and mortar businesses, it is one of the best known, but not necessarily the “best-loved,” by local business owners. Whether you love it or hate it, Yelp can be a significant generator of online traffic and new customers. You just need to understand how to use this online powerhouse to your advantage.