https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9e4UA9zJI Your First Step: Connecting Integrations When you first log into the platform, your very first task is to connect your integrations. This is the foundation of everything else you’ll do in the system, so it’s important to get it right from the start. Don’t worry though – the process is straightforward, and we’ll walk you through each step. What Are Integrations? Think of integrations as the bridges that connect this platform to all the places where your customers leave reviews. Once these bridges are built, you’ll be able to see all your reviews in one place, respond to them quickly, and even automate requests for new reviews. Why This Matters The sooner you connect these integrations, the sooner you can start managing your online reputation effectively. Every minute your integrations are connected, the platform is working for you – monitoring reviews, organising feedback, and preparing data for your dashboard. Where to Start Start by connecting to the review sites where you plan to gather new reviews. This means the platforms where your customers are most likely to share their experiences – whether that’s Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, or other review sites relevant to your business. 1.2 Connecting to Google Why Google Comes First Let’s begin with the most important integration: Google. For most businesses, Google is where the majority of customers will leave reviews, so this connection is crucial. The good news is that once you set it up, the platform will automatically manage your reviews and your Google Business Profile. Starting the Connection Process To get started, simply click on the “Connect” button next to Google in your integrations list. You’ll see two different ways to connect: through login or through public access. Choosing the Right Connection Method We strongly recommend using the login method because it gives the platform full access to automatically manage your reviews and your Google Business Profile. The public access option is more limited and won’t give you all the automation features. Think of the login method as getting a VIP pass – it unlocks everything. Logging In with the Correct Account When you choose the login method, click the button to log in with Google. Here’s an important tip: make sure you use the Google account that actually manages your Google Business Profile. If you use a different account, the connection won’t work properly. Granting Permissions After you log in, Google will ask you to give consent for the platform to access your business information. Go ahead and approve this – it’s necessary for the integration to work. This permission allows the platform to see your reviews, respond on your behalf, and keep everything synchronised. Selecting Your Profile Next, you’ll see a dropdown menu asking you to select the user who manages your Google Business Profile. Choose your account from this list and confirm your selection. Choosing Your Business Finally, you’ll see another menu where you need to choose your actual Google Business Profile from all the profiles associated with your account. This is especially important if you manage multiple businesses. Take a moment to make sure you’re selecting the right business location. Connection Complete Select the correct profile and click “Confirm.” That’s it! Your Google integration is now complete. The platform will start importing your existing reviews and will monitor for new ones in real-time. You’ll be able to respond to reviews directly from the dashboard, and all your Google review data will be included in your analytics. 1.3 Connecting Other Review Sites Beyond Google: Other Review Platforms After Google, you’ll want to connect to other review platforms where your customers leave feedback. The process varies slightly depending on the platform, but it’s generally quite simple. Let’s use Yelp as an example since it’s one of the most common review sites for local businesses. Starting with Yelp To connect Yelp, just click the “Connect” button next to Yelp in your integrations list. Unlike Google, Yelp doesn’t require you to log in. Instead, you just need to provide the link to your Yelp business page. Finding Your Yelp Link This is the URL that customers use to find your business on Yelp. The easiest way to get your correct Yelp link is to open Yelp in your web browser, search for your business, and then copy the URL from the address bar once you’re on your business page. Making Sure the Link is Correct Here’s an important detail: make sure the link you enter is correct. The platform will show you an example link so you can see the exact format it expects. Your link should look similar to this example. Double-check before submitting to avoid connection issues. Completing the Yelp Connection Paste this link into the connection field and confirm. The platform will verify the link and start monitoring your Yelp reviews. From that point forward, any new Yelp reviews will appear in your dashboard alongside your Google reviews, making it easy to manage everything in one place. Connecting Additional Platforms The same basic process applies to other review sites like TripAdvisor or Facebook. Some may require a login (similar to Google), while others just need a link to your business page (like Yelp). The platform will guide you through the specific requirements for each site you want to connect. 1.4 Setting Up Text Channels Understanding Text Channels Text channels are the messaging methods you’ll use to send review requests to your customers. Think of them as the ways you’ll reach out to ask for reviews – whether that’s through email, text message, or WhatsApp. Setting these up properly is essential because they’re how you’ll actively gather new reviews. Channels Ready to Use Immediately The good news is that some channels are enabled by default and ready to use right away. Email and SMS channels are automatically set up when you create your account, so you can start sending review requests through these methods immediately without any additional configuration. This makes it super easy to get started with your first review