What’s the best way to handle negative Google reviews?

Negative reviews should be addressed quickly and professionally. Start by acknowledging the reviewer’s concern without being defensive. Apologize sincerely for their experience, even if you believe the feedback is unfair, and offer to discuss the issue privately to resolve it. Keeping your response calm, empathetic, and solution-oriented shows that your business takes complaints seriously. A sample reply might be: “We’re sorry to hear about your experience, [Name]. Please reach out to us at [contact info] so we can address your concerns personally.” This can sometimes turn unhappy customers into loyal advocates while demonstrating accountability to potential clients.