Getting more Google reviews (the honest way)

For a local business, Google reviews do two jobs: they help you show up in local results, and they help people choose you. Most happy customers are glad to leave one; they just need to be asked.

Ask at the right moment

The best time is right after a job goes well, when the customer thanks you. Ask in person, then send the link so it's one tap.

Make it easy

• Get your review link from your Google Business Profile ("Ask for reviews")
• Put it on invoices, receipts and follow-up e-mails
• A small card or QR code works well for in-person jobs

Reply to every review

• Thank people by name for good reviews, mentioning the job
• Reply to a bad review calmly and briefly, offer to put it right, and take the details offline
• Never share a customer's private information in a reply

What not to do

• Don't offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews
• Don't ask only the customers you think will be happy, or discourage bad reviews
• Never buy reviews, or write them for yourself or have friends do it

Google can remove reviews or restrict a profile for these, and US rules on fake reviews apply too. We help businesses set up a simple, honest way to ask, as part of setting up their Google Business Profile.

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