Why Google Reviews Matter for Local Businesses in Maine
“Pretty soon they’ll ask me for a review bite by bite,” someone joked recently. That’s the world of Google reviews for local businesses in Maine today. And honestly, it feels true. Your coffee shop asks. Your online order asks. Even the gas pump wants five stars. At this rate, the toaster may ask you to rate your bagel.
We know it’s a lot. And yet… here we are, asking you too.
How We Got Here
Back in the early days, online reviews felt fresh and exciting. Yelp and early Google reviews helped you discover hidden gems in Portland or best restaurants in Scarborough. They were short, real, and incredibly helpful.
Fast-forward: reviews are everywhere. Some are genuine and thoughtful. Others? Bots, paid influencers, or the dreaded “wrong restaurant” one-star. No wonder people feel skeptical.
But here’s the truth: real reviews still stand out. A neighbor in Brunswick describing how their hot tub install went and how much they love it? That’s gold for a business like ours.
The Google Factor (Behind the Scenes)
Why all the fuss? Because even if you’re a physical store like Skillful Home, most customers still find you online first. Google is geared toward online businesses, but local businesses have to compete hard for those top few spots in search results.
And the rules are always changing. In 2022 alone, Google made over 4,700 changes — about 13 every day. They employ over a thousand engineers on core search and more than 10,000 quality raters worldwide who judge whether results feel trustworthy.
The takeaway for small businesses? Reviews are one of the steadiest signals Google uses to decide who gets seen.
A few surprising facts:
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83% of consumers use Google to find local reviews.
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Going from 9 to 10 reviews can give a small boost in Google Maps ranking.
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Recency matters: most people only trust reviews from the past 30 days.
That’s why fresh, authentic reviews carry real weight. And local mentions — like Portland, Falmouth, York, and beyond — help us get found by the neighbors searching in those areas.
Why Google Reviews Matter for Local Businesses in Maine
We’ll never tell you what to say — that’s not how reviews work. But here’s what helps us and other to find us most:
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Specifics — what you bought or experienced (Bullfrog hot tub, swim spa, or Olhausen or Brunswick pool table).
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Genuine detail — what made it a good fit, how delivery went, or what stood out.
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Local flavor — “Worth the drive from Brunswick” or “install crew was great in Cape Elizabeth.”
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Recency — your words help most when they’re current, but never too late.
Our Ask
Like it or not, reviews matter — especially to small local businesses in Maine. They help your neighbors know who to trust for something as big as a swim spa or as timeless as a pool table.
We don’t love nagging either, which is why we keep it simple: our install crew leaves a small thank-you card with a QR code, and then we send a short text through Podium the next day or so. Two easy reminders, never pressure. And if your purchase was months — or even years — ago? A thoughtful review is still valuable. Your words don’t expire.
(Note: We never offer incentives or screen reviews. Google and the FTC forbid it, and we agree — authenticity matters most.)
When Review Requests Go Too Far (Just for Fun)
We joke about this a lot, because it really does feel endless. At this rate…
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The toaster will ask you to rate your bagel.
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Your dentist will ask for feedback mid-filling.
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The gas pump will want five stars for unleaded.
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Your dog will text you for feedback on his walk.
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And the stoplights in Portland will start blinking: “How was your crossing experience today?”
Reviews everywhere. And yet, when they’re genuine, they still matter.
If you’ve purchased or worked with us and enjoyed the experience, we’d be grateful if you’d leave a review. You’ll see two easy reminders — a small thank-you card with a QR code from our install crew, and a short Podium message the next day.
Your honest words help another family in Southern Maine make their choice with confidence — and they strengthen Google reviews for local businesses in Maine. And if you’ve ever wondered what makes a review truly helpful, keep an eye out for Part 2 in this series.
You can also browse our reviews page to see what other customers have shared.
Are you a past customer and want to leave a review? Thank you! You can leave your review here:
