Reviews are one of the strongest signals in local search, and they are what convinces a stranger to call you. Most happy customers are willing to leave one. They just need to be asked at the right moment.
1. Ask at the moment of relief
The best time is right after the job is done and the customer is pleased. Train your team to ask in person, then follow up with a link.
2. Send a direct link
Google gives every profile a short review link. One tap should take the customer straight to the review box.
3. Use text messages
A short text with the link gets a far better response than an email, because people read texts within minutes.
4. Put a QR code on paperwork
Invoices, business cards and vehicle decals can all carry a code that opens the review page.
5. Automate the request
Connect your job or invoicing software so a request goes out automatically when a job is marked complete.
6. Reply to every review
Customers are more likely to leave a review when they see the owner reads and answers them.
7. Make it part of the job
Add “ask for a review” to the checklist for closing a job, and tell the team how many came in each week.
What not to do
- Do not pay for reviews or offer discounts in exchange for them.
- Do not ask only the customers you expect to be positive.
- Do not write reviews yourself or have staff do it.
- Do not set up a review station in your office.
These practices break Google’s policies and can get reviews removed or a profile suspended. A steady stream of real reviews is slower and far safer.