As a web designer, I’m often asked where businesses should focus their energy when it comes to online reviews. Facebook Reviews? Google Reviews? Both?
While each platform has its place, I personally recommend prioritising Google Reviews, especially if your goal is visibility, credibility, and long-term growth online.
Why Reviews Matter More Than Ever
Online reviews are today’s word of mouth. Before someone clicks “Call”, fills in a contact form, or books a service, they usually check what other people are saying first.
Reviews help:
- Build trust quickly
- Reduce hesitation from new customers
- Support search engine visibility
- Reinforce that your business is active, legitimate, and reliable
But not all reviews work in the same way.
The Power of Google Reviews
From a web design and SEO perspective, Google Reviews do a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Here’s why I favour them.
1. They Boost Search Visibility
Google Reviews are directly linked to your Google Business Profile, which plays a major role in local search results.
When someone searches for:
“cleaner near me”
“web designer Sydney”
“electrician Coogee”
Google looks at review quantity, quality, and recency when deciding which businesses to show in the map results. More positive Google Reviews can mean:
- Better placement in local search
- More profile views
- More calls and website clicks
Facebook reviews don’t influence Google search rankings in the same way.
2. They Can Be Integrated Into Your Website
This is a big one from a web designer’s point of view.
Google Reviews can be:
- Embedded directly onto your website
- Displayed as live social proof
- Automatically updated as new reviews come in
This means visitors don’t have to leave your site to see that others trust you. It builds confidence right at the decision-making moment, which can improve enquiries and conversions.
Facebook reviews are far harder to integrate cleanly, and often rely on screenshots or manual updates.
3. They Build Instant Credibility
Google is usually the first place people go when researching a business. Seeing a strong star rating alongside your business name creates trust before someone even lands on your website.
It’s a quiet but powerful credibility signal.
Where Facebook Reviews Still Help
Facebook reviews aren’t useless, they just play a different role.
They work well for:
- Businesses with an active social media presence
- Community-focused brands
- Clients who already follow you on Facebook
Facebook reviews feel more conversational and personal, but they’re often seen by people who already know your brand. They don’t tend to attract new customers in the same way Google does.
So, Which Should You Focus On?
If you’re choosing one platform to prioritise, Google Reviews are the smarter choice for most businesses, especially service-based and local businesses.
They support:
- SEO and local visibility
- Trust at the search stage
- Website social proof
- Long-term discoverability
The ideal setup is still having both, but if time or energy is limited, Google Reviews should come first.
My Professional Recommendation as a Web Designer
When I build websites, I always look at how trust is communicated. Google Reviews tick multiple boxes at once. They strengthen your Google Business Profile, improve visibility, and can be seamlessly woven into your website to support conversions.
In short, they don’t just sit there looking nice, they actively work for your business.
If you’re investing in your online presence, Google Reviews are one of the simplest, most effective tools you can use.
If you’d like help integrating Google Reviews into your website or setting up a strategy to collect them consistently, that’s something I help clients with every day.