Reviews are often the first thing a new customer reads about you, especially on Google. Most businesses have far more happy customers than reviews, simply because nobody asked at the right time.
Ask at the moment of satisfaction
The best time to ask is right after a good outcome: the job is finished, the appointment went well, the customer has just thanked you. A day later, the feeling has faded and the request feels like admin.
Make it one tap
Send a direct link to your review page, not instructions on how to find it. Google Business Profile gives you a short review link you can copy and share.
Keep the request short and personal
- Use their first name.
- Mention the work you did for them.
- Ask plainly, and say it helps a small business.
For example: “Hi Maria, thanks again for having us out to fix the leak. If you were happy with the work, a quick Google review would mean a lot to a small team like ours. Here’s the link.”
Reply to every review
Thank people for good reviews, briefly and by name. For a critical review, reply calmly, acknowledge the problem, and offer to sort it out offline. Future customers read your replies as much as the reviews.
Make it routine
Asking once is easy; asking every time is the hard part. Add the review request to your end-of-job checklist, or have your CRM send it automatically when a job is marked complete, with the wording you wrote.
Follow the rules
Don’t offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews, and don’t write or buy reviews. Platforms remove them and can penalise your listing.