Plenty of satisfied customers will happily leave a review, but most won't think to unless you ask. Ask in person as the job wraps up, follow with a text containing your direct review link, nudge once if needed, and reply to every review that comes in. Never pay for reviews or filter out unhappy customers.
Why reviews matter
Reviews are how word of mouth works now. Before ringing a tradesperson they've never met, plenty of people check the stars and skim what others have said. A thin or poor record can lose you the call before it happens.
Where you show up
Google says the number of reviews and your rating feed into how prominent it considers a local business, which affects the map results.
Whether people click
A listing with a healthy number of recent, detailed reviews tends to look safer than one with a couple, even if those few are glowing.
Whether they call
People read reviews to decide. Specific praise about punctuality, tidiness or a fair price can do your selling before you've picked up the phone.
Asking without the awkwardness
The hardest part is simply remembering to ask. Timing and convenience do the rest.
When
At the end of the job, while the customer is pleased and you're still on site. If they thank you or say the work looks great, that's the moment. Waiting a week means the goodwill has cooled.
What to say in person
"Really glad it's sorted. If you get a minute later, a quick Google review would help us a lot. I'll send you the link now so it's one tap."
The text that follows
"Hi [name], thanks for having us out today. If you're happy with the job, a short Google review would be much appreciated: [link]. Thanks again, [your name]"
One reminder, then leave it
If nothing has come through after a couple of days, a single friendly reminder is fine. More than that starts to feel like pressure, and it reflects on the business.
Your review link
The fewer steps between the customer and the review box, the more reviews you'll get. A direct link opens Google's review form with your business already selected.
Open your profile
Search your business name on Google while signed in to the account that manages it, or open the Google Business Profile app.
Find the share option
Look for the button labelled "Ask for reviews". Some accounts call it "Share review form" instead.
Copy the link
Google gives you a short link that takes customers straight to the form.
Keep it on your phone
Save it in your notes or as a contact, so you can send it from the driveway.
iPhones have a Text Replacement setting (Settings, then General, then Keyboard). Add a shortcut such as "revlink" that expands into your full review link. Android keyboards offer a similar personal dictionary or text shortcut feature.
Replying to reviews
Reply to everything, positive and negative. Future customers read the replies as well as the reviews, and a thoughtful response says a lot about how you treat people.
Good reviews
- Thank the person by name
- Refer to something specific about their job
- Keep it short and sound like yourself
Bad reviews
- Stay calm and don't argue in public
- Acknowledge the frustration
- Invite them to sort it out by phone
A reply to a negative review
"Hi [name], I'm sorry the job didn't go the way you expected. That isn't how we like to work, and I'd like to put it right. Please give me a ring on [number] so we can talk it through. [Your name]"
If a review is fake, abusive or from someone who was never a customer, you can report it through your profile. Google decides whether it comes down.
What to avoid
- Buying reviews. Fake reviews breach Google's policies, and profiles caught with them can have reviews removed, restrictions applied or be suspended.
- Rewarding reviews. Discounts, gift cards or prize draws in exchange for a review are against Google's rules. Ask sincerely instead.
- Filtering who you ask. Checking whether someone is happy first and only sending the link to the satisfied ones, sometimes called review gating, isn't allowed. Everyone gets the same link.
- Reviewing yourself. Reviews from you, your staff or family members aren't permitted.
- Leaving complaints unanswered. A bad review with a calm, helpful reply reads far better than one met with silence.
Making it a habit
Businesses with a long run of reviews aren't using a trick. Asking is simply part of how they finish a job: say it, send the link, nudge once.
The catch is consistency. It's easy to ask for a fortnight, get flat out, and then realise the latest review is months old. Recent reviews matter to the people reading them, so a long gap is worth avoiding.
A follow-up text built into your job software, or a reminder on your phone, can carry the load on busy weeks. At a minimum, make the ask as routine as packing up the tools.
Things to do today
- Grab your review link and save it on your phone.
- Send it to a handful of recent customers who were pleased with the work.
- Reply to any reviews still waiting on an answer.
- Set a reminder to ask at the end of your next few jobs.
Reviews are one part of how locals find you. Our Google Business Profile guide and local search guide cover the rest.
