How to get more Google reviews from your customers
By Kenan Musa, Instinct Tech ·
Google reviews are one of the things customers look at before they call. Many businesses have satisfied customers but few reviews, because nobody asked for them. Here is a simple way to do it without breaking the rules.
The short answer
Ask satisfied customers right after they have thanked you. Send them a direct link so it takes only a minute. Reply to every review, and never buy or invent any. Do not offer anything in return either.
Why reviews matter
Reviews appear on your Google Business Profile, and many customers read them before they choose. Google itself says that more and positive reviews can improve your local ranking, and that positive reviews and helpful replies can make your business stand out. The number of reviews is mentioned as part of how "prominent" Google considers a business to be. See also the guide to Google Maps.
When to ask
The best time is when the customer is happy: when the job is finished and the customer has said thank you or complimented you. Do not wait a month. If there is a customer you have had particularly good contact with, feel free to ask the next day.
How to ask
- Create a direct link. In your Google Business Profile you will find a link that sends the customer straight to the review page.
- Ask personally. A short "If you are happy, a review would help us a lot" works better than a mass email.
- Make it easy. Send the link in a text or email so the customer can just click.
- Say thank you. Whether they write or not.
- Ask once more if you do not hear back. More than that is too much.
What you can write to the customer
Keep it short and honest. For example:
Example: "Thank you for a good collaboration. If you are happy with our work, we would greatly appreciate a review on Google. It only takes a minute: [link]"
You must not suggest what the customer should write, or promise anything in return.
Replying to reviews
- Thank people for the positive ones, ideally with something specific from the job.
- Reply calmly and factually to criticism. Offer to take it further in private.
- Reply within a couple of days.
- Never write in anger, and never attack the customer.
You are not only writing a reply to the person who reviewed. You are writing it for the next people who read along.
What you should never do
- Buy reviews or ask friends and family to write them. It is against Google's rules.
- Offer discounts, gifts or anything else in exchange for a positive review.
- Only ask the customers you know will be positive.
- Delete or ignore criticism you could answer.
- Write reviews of your own business.
Google can remove reviews that break the rules and, in serious cases, restrict the profile.
Can you use reviews on your website?
You can show testimonials from customers if you have their permission and they are real. Say who they come from, and use the customer's own words. Do not show them as a star rating on your website unless the number comes directly from a source that can be verified.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How many reviews should I have?
There is no fixed number. More genuine reviews are better than a few, but start with the first ones.
May I ask customers for a review?
Yes, you may. You just must not offer something in return or control what they write.
What do I do about a bad review?
Reply calmly and factually, and offer to solve the problem. Many readers look more at the reply than at the criticism.
Can a new business get reviews quickly?
Yes, if you ask your first customers. Start with the customers you have had the best experience with.
Next step
If you do not have a website that supports your local visibility, see the Starter package or write to us.