The businesses with the most reviews aren't lucky. They ask every customer, at the right moment, with a direct link. That's the whole system.
A system that works
- Get your review link. In your Business Profile, choose "Ask for reviews" and copy the short link.
- Ask at the end of the job. When the customer is happy and you're still there, ask in person.
- Follow up by SMS the same day. A short message with the link gets far more responses than an email a week later.
- Make it easy. Put the link on invoices, in your email signature and as a QR code on a card you leave behind.
- Remind once. If they haven't left one after a few days, one friendly reminder is fine. More than that is pushy.
Example SMS
"Hi Sarah, thanks for having us out today. If you're happy with the work, a quick Google review would really help our small business: [link]. Cheers, Dave."
What not to do
- Don't offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews. Google's policies prohibit incentivised reviews.
- Don't write reviews yourself or ask family and staff to post them. Fake reviews break Google's rules and can breach Australian Consumer Law.
- Don't only ask customers you think will be positive. Google also prohibits filtering who you ask.
Replying to reviews
Reply to every review. Thank people by name for good ones. For bad ones, stay calm, acknowledge the problem, and offer to sort it out offline. Future customers read your replies as much as the reviews.
Reviews are one of the strongest map-pack signals. See how to rank higher on Google Maps, or let us set up a review system as part of local SEO.
Want this done for you? See our Google Business Profile setup and management, or get a free audit.