Adding customer reviews to your website helps build trust with website visitors, and can significantly improve your conversion rates. This step by step guide will walk you through the process of displaying your Google Reviews on your WordPress site, including how to embed the Google reviews widget, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Why Embed Google Reviews to Your Website?
Builds trust with potential customers
Showcases positive feedback from real clients
Improves credibility of your business
Helps visitors make informed decisions
Enhances your website’s professional appearance
Allows you to display customer reviews effectively on your website
Step 1: Set Up Your Google Business Profile Listing
Before adding reviews to your website, make sure your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is properly set up:
Claim your business on Google Business Profile if you haven’t already
Verify your business through Google’s verification process (usually by mail, phone, or email)
Update all business information including hours, location, and services
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews
Having a Google Business Profile listing is essential for collecting and displaying customer reviews on your website.
Pro Tip
Regularly check your Google Business Profile to respond to new reviews. This shows potential customers that you value feedback.
Need help setting up your Google Business Profile correctly? Contact me and I’ll walk you through the process to ensure everything is optimized properly.
Step 2: Choose a WordPress Plugin to Display Google Reviews
Several plugins can help display Google Reviews on your website. Here are some features to look for:
Automatic syncing with your Google Business Profile
Customizable layouts (grid, slider, or list)
Mobile-friendly design
Easy setup process
Regular updates from the developer
Requires a Google API key for seamless integration
Recommended Google Business Review Plugins
I’ve tested dozens of plugins and narrowed down the best options for business owners who want a straightforward solution:
| Plugin Name | What It Does | Why It’s Great for Business Owners | Free / Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widgets for Google Reviews (by Trustindex) | Displays Google Reviews on your site, and with Pro, adds Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and more. | ✔ Extremely easy to set up—perfect for beginners. ✔ Automatically updates when new reviews come in. ✔ Pro version lets you combine reviews from multiple platforms in one widget or feed. | ✅ Free (Pro adds multi-platform reviews, more layouts, and advanced features) |
| WP Social Ninja | Displays reviews from Google, Facebook, Yelp, and more—plus social media feeds like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. | ✔ All-in-one solution for social reviews + social media feeds + testimonials. ✔ Great for showing social proof across platforms. ✔ Pro version required to display reviews from multiple platforms together in one shortcode or feed. | ✅ Free (Pro adds multi-platform review combos, social feeds, and premium features) |
1. Widgets for Google Reviews by Trustindex
Widget for the Google Reviews plugin is my top recommendation for most small businesses. It’s extremely user-friendly, with a clean interface and reliable performance. After connecting your Google Business account, the plugin automatically pulls in your latest customer reviews and displays them on your website.
This plugin is ideal if you want to quickly add a section of reviews to your homepage, sidebar, or even in blog posts. It includes several pre-designed widget templates, and the free version covers most basic display needs.
For more features, the Pro version lets you combine reviews from multiple platforms, like Google, Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. It also unlocks more layouts, review filtering, and additional customization options, giving you greater control over how your reviews appear. If you’re looking for a clean, simple, and affordable solution to embed reviews that add credibility and build trust on your website, this plugin is a solid choice.
2. WP Social Ninja
WP Social Ninja is a powerful all-in-one solution if you’re looking to display reviews from multiple platforms and social media feeds in one place. In addition to Google Reviews, it also integrates with other platforms, like Facebook, Yelp, Airbnb, Amazon, and many more, making it a comprehensive tool for showcasing social proof on your website.
The setup is beginner-friendly, with pre-designed templates that look great right out of the box. You can easily customize the layouts to match your brand—no coding needed.
The free version works well if you’re only showing reviews from Google Business Profile. However, to combine reviews from other social platforms into review feed in a single widget or display, you’ll need the Pro version.
Pro Tip for Business Owners
While there are several plugins that let you display reviews from multiple different platforms (like Google, Facebook, and Yelp), this feature is usually only available in their Pro versions.
If you’re on a budget, you can still use separate free widgets for each platform and display them side by side.
But for a cleaner, combined display and more control, a Pro version is often worth considering.
Don’t have time to compare plugins? Contact me and I’ll recommend the perfect solution for your specific business needs.
Step 3: Install and Set Up Your Plugin
Log in to your WordPress dashboard (yourwebsite.com/wp-admin)
Go to Plugins → Add New
Search for your chosen plugin
Click Install Now, then Activate
After activation:
Go to the plugin settings page (usually found in the left sidebar)
Connect to Google by following the plugin’s instructions
Enter your API key if required (the plugin will guide you to obtain the google api key)
Step 4: Customize How Your Reviews Display
Displaying Google reviews in a customized format can significantly enhance your website’s credibility and user engagement.
Most plugins offer various display options:
Choose between grid, slider, or individual reviews
Select how many reviews to show
Adjust colors to match your website
Choose which star ratings to display (e.g., only 4-5 star reviews)
Set the order (newest first or highest rated)
Pro Tip
Place your google reviews widget on high-traffic pages like your homepage, about page, or service pages for maximum impact.
Step 5: Test and Monitor Your Google Business Reviews
After setting everything up:
View your website on different devices to ensure reviews display correctly
Check regularly to make sure new reviews are appearing
Ensure your review feed is set up correctly to provide real-time updates of new customer feedback
Refresh your cache if reviews aren’t updating
Common Questions About Google Reviews
Q: Why aren’t my reviews showing up?
A: Don’t worry, this is a common issue with simple solutions. First, check if your plugin is properly connected to Google (look for a “Connected” message in settings). Make sure your plugin is updated to the latest version, as outdated plugins often stop working. Clear your website’s cache, as this frequently solves display problems. If reviews still don’t appear, check your Google Business Profile to confirm you actually have reviews to display. Most premium plugins offer support if you need additional help.
Q: How can I make my reviews look better on mobile devices?
A: Most plugins have responsive settings. Test your site on a mobile device and adjust the display settings in your plugin accordingly.
Q: Can I filter out negative reviews?
A: Yes, most plugins allow you to show only reviews above a certain star rating. Look for “Minimum Rating” settings in your plugin. However, displaying only 5-star reviews can sometimes look suspicious to customers. Consider keeping some 4-star reviews to increase credibility, especially if you’ve responded to them professionally. This shows potential customers that you value all feedback and are committed to improving your service.
Q: How often do the reviews update?
A: Most plugins automatically check for new reviews every 24 hours, which is sufficient for most businesses. If you need more immediate updates, look for a “Refresh” or “Sync Now” button in your plugin settings to update your reviews manually. Premium versions of plugins often offer more frequent automatic updates. If your business receives many reviews daily, you might want to upgrade to a premium option with more frequent sync capabilities.
Q: Do I need to pay to show Google Reviews on my website?
A: You can display Google Reviews with both free and paid options. Google’s API itself is free for regular business use. Many plugins offer functional free versions that work well for basic needs. Premium versions (typically $20-30 per year) add better styling options, more layouts, advanced filtering, and priority support. For most small businesses, a free plugin is perfectly adequate. You can upgrade later if you need more features or better design options as your business grows.
Maintaining Your Google Reviews Integration
Once you’ve set up your reviews, it’s essential to keep everything running smoothly:
Check periodically to ensure new reviews are appearing
Update your plugin when new versions are released
Respond to new reviews on your Google Business Profile
Refresh your website cache after making changes
Adjust display settings as your business grows and collects more reviews
Regular maintenance ensures your reviews continue to benefit your business by showcasing fresh, positive feedback from satisfied customers.
Need Help Adding Google Reviews to Your Website?
Two ways to get support from WordPress experts:
Contact me directly – Want your Google Reviews displayed professionally without the technical headaches? Visit our Contact page and I’ll handle the entire setup process for you. I can help you:
Set up and verify your Google Business Profile correctly
Install and configure the perfect review plugin for your needs
Customize the display to match your brand identity
Place reviews strategically for maximum impact
Troubleshoot any technical issues that arise
Join a community—For ongoing WordPress support, consider joining the Wealthy Affiliate Community. Thousands of entrepreneurs share their WordPress knowledge and can answer your questions about review integration.
