How to get more Google reviews (the honest way)

Why it pays to get more Google reviews

When someone compares three businesses on Google, the reviews are often the deciding factor. They show that real people used you, what those people liked, and how you handle it when something goes wrong.

Google also says that more reviews and positive ratings can help a business's local ranking, as part of how well known the business is.

The good news is that most customers are willing to leave a review. They just need to be asked, at the right time, in a way that takes almost no effort.

When to ask

Ask every customer, the same way, at the same point: when the job is done, or with the invoice. A plumber can ask as the leak is fixed; a salon as the appointment ends; a mover as the last box comes off the truck. Soon after the job is when people remember it best, and asking everyone at the same moment keeps it fair.

How to ask

Make it personal and make it easy:

• Ask in person first, in your own words: 'Would you leave us a Google review? It really helps us.'
• Follow up the same day with a short text or email that has a direct link to your review form. Your Google Business Profile gives you that link.
• Put the same link on your receipts, invoices and the thank-you page of your website.
• Ask every customer, not only the ones you think loved you.
• Keep it to one reminder. Pestering costs more goodwill than the review is worth.

What Google does not allow

Google's policy on reviews is specific. It says offering incentives, like free or discounted goods or services, in exchange for posting, changing or removing a review counts as fake content and is strictly prohibited. That includes a discount on the next visit, an entry into a prize draw, or a free add-on.

The same policy says a business may not discourage negative reviews or selectively ask only happy customers. So a system that asks 'were you happy?' and sends only the yes answers to Google is against the rules, even though many tools sell exactly that.

Google also says it can put restrictions on a profile that breaks these rules, such as stopping new reviews for a time or showing a warning on the profile. Buying a handful of reviews is not worth that risk.

Two more to avoid: reviews written by you, your family or your staff, and reviews posted from one device or location for several customers. Both tend to get removed.

How to answer reviews

Reply to every review, good and bad, in a sentence or two. Thank people by name for good ones and mention the job if you can. For a bad review, stay calm, say you are sorry it did not go well, offer to sort it out offline, and give a way to reach you. Never argue in public, and never share a customer's private details in a reply.

A fair reply to a bad review often does more for you than the review does harm. Future customers read it to see how you treat people when something goes wrong.

Putting reviews on your website

Your website can show reviews too, as long as they are real. Quote them word for word, with the customer's permission and their first name or initials, and never edit one to sound better. A link to your Google reviews lets visitors see the whole picture.

We build every site that way: we only quote reviews you give us, word for word, and we never invent a rating or a testimonial. If your site has none yet, we leave the space out rather than fill it with something made up.