How to Get More Reviews Without Being Awkward

Ask at the right moment

Ask when the job is finished and the customer is pleased. That is the moment they are happiest with you. Waiting a week means most will not bother. A simple line works: "If you are happy with it, a Google review would really help me. I will text you the link."

Make it one tap

Google gives you a direct review link from your Business Profile. Save it on your phone and send it by text or WhatsApp straight away. A customer who has to search for you and find the right listing probably will not do it.

What you are not allowed to do

• Pay for reviewsGiving money, discounts or freebies in return for a review breaks Google's policies.
• Only ask the happy onesSending unhappy customers to a private form and happy ones to Google is called review gating, and Google does not allow it.
• Write your ownFake reviews, including ones from friends and family who never used you, are banned. UK consumer law now bans fake reviews, and the regulator can fine businesses that use them.
• Hide the bad onesYou cannot delete a review you dislike. You can only report it if it breaks the rules, for example if it is about a job you never did.

Replying to reviews

Thank people by name and mention the job. Keep it short and genuine. Do not copy and paste the same reply on every review.

Replying to a bad one

Do not reply while you are annoyed. Wait a day. Then say sorry that they were not happy, state the facts calmly in a line or two, and invite them to ring you to sort it out. Future customers read your reply more than the complaint, and a calm one shows you are someone they can deal with.

Never put the customer's personal details or job address in a reply.

Build it into the job

Add the review link to the bottom of your invoice and in the message you send when you send it. Then you ask every time, with no extra effort.