Local Search Ranking Tactics - Michael Jensen of SoloSEO.com

Online reviews can impact rankings, particularly in less competitive markets
Ratings can also influence click-through rate from local SERPs (you're more likely to notice and click on a five star rating v. a one star). Ratings are the new rankings.
make it easy for your customers to write a review (they aren't going to do it otherwise)
- Give away free wifi and redirect users to a review us page
- Put a "review me" link in your email signature

Get reviews on sites that feed other local search sites (e.g. Insiderpages reviews show up on a variety of other sites)

Encourage your customers to focus on important keywords for their review

Measure the perfomance of reviews - rankings, ratings, traffic