'1 star' or '5 star' rating on Google Maps: What do restaurant owners in Ho Chi Minh City think?

The ratings from '1 star' to '5 stars' on Google Maps for restaurants and eateries help diners to evaluate and express their opinions on the quality of food and service. As for restaurant owners in Ho Chi Minh City, are the star ratings of their restaurants important?

For some restaurant owners in Ho Chi Minh City, star ratings on Google Maps are both pressure and motivation to serve customers better.

"The pressure of 1-star reviews on Google Maps!"

Not long ago, the story of the owner of a famous milk tea shop in Chanh Hung ward (HCMC) calling a customer who had just given her a 1-star review for the shop's service quality quickly went viral online.

In the shared clip, the owner talked to the customer in a cute and receptive manner, listening to the customer's opinions as well as "compensating" for the customer's bad experiences, hoping the customer would give the restaurant a star review on Google Maps.

Positive star ratings on Google Maps are the pride of many restaurant owners in Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Recently, there have been many cases of restaurants, eateries, hotels, and service establishments being hit by a storm of 1-star reviews from the online community when customers "exposed" them on social networks because of poor service quality according to their experiences. Regardless of right or wrong, from here, many people ask the question: Is the star rating on Google Maps really important to restaurant, eatery, and service establishment owners?

Sharing with Thanh Nien , Ms. N., owner of a Vietnamese restaurant in Saigon Ward (HCMC) said that star ratings on Google Maps are very important to her. According to her, through positive reviews, the restaurant can attract and reach more customers.

That's why from the first days of opening the restaurant, she and her staff actively asked customers to rate "5 stars" if they had a good experience or directly give feedback to the restaurant if they had a bad experience instead of rating "1 star".

"Sometimes, I also feel pressured by these star ratings. If there are many negative comments or bad experiences from customers, the restaurant's business will definitely be affected. No one wants to go to a restaurant with many bad reviews, including myself. Meanwhile, many people now look at reviews on Google Maps before visiting a restaurant," Ms. N. said.

Many diners choose to evaluate the quality of food and service at restaurants and eateries through Google Maps.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

However, for the restaurant owner, the star ratings are both pressure and motivation for her to serve customers better. She is happy that after more than 1 year of operation, her restaurant still maintains its reputation with 4.9 stars and 500 customer reviews, most of which are positive culinary experiences.

"Just try to serve customers well!"

Meanwhile, Ms. TN (63 years old), the owner of a restaurant with more than 24 years of experience in Gia Dinh Ward (HCMC), said that she has never paid attention to the star ratings of customers on Google Maps. Over the years, the restaurant has always tried to serve the best within its ability.

"If customers are not satisfied with anything, please give us your honest feedback so we can change things. I'm not familiar with online star ratings. I believe that as long as we serve customers well, the good will come naturally and customers will still support us. Luckily, my restaurant has been supported by customers for decades," the owner confided.

Meanwhile, the owner of a noodle shop in Binh Dong Ward (HCMC) said that for newly opened shops like his, customer reviews on Google Maps are important. For him, positive reviews help the shop gain more trust and support from customers. Meanwhile, negative reviews also help the shop see its shortcomings and limitations for correction.

Many customers choose to visit the restaurant with many "5 star" reviews.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

"However, I do not expect customers to leave negative reviews on Google Maps because it will affect my reputation and business. I often tell customers who come to eat at the restaurant that if they are not satisfied with anything, please give your comments or call the restaurant to report it," the owner shared.

Mr. Phu Nguyen (26 years old) living in Binh Dong ward said that before going to eat at any restaurant, he and his friends often look at the reviews on Google Maps about that restaurant. He still prioritizes choosing restaurants with many stars and positive reviews.

"Of course, star ratings are only for reference, because whether a dish is delicious or not depends on each person's taste, and can only be evaluated through direct experience. However, reviews from many previous customers are also worth considering," he said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/danh-gia-1-sao-hay-5-sao-tren-google-maps-chu-quan-o-tphcm-nghi-gi-185251112170934011.htm