How To Get More Google Reviews
Reviews help you show up on Google and help people pick you. Here's how to get more of them without it feeling like begging.
The short answerAsk at the right moment, make it one tap, and reply to every review. Don't pay for reviews, offer anything in return, or write them yourself. That breaks Google's rules and Australian Consumer Law.
Most happy customers are glad to leave a review. They just don't think of it, or don't know how. Your job is to remind them and make it easy.
1. Ask At The Right Moment
The best time is straight after a good result. The job's finished and they're happy, the tour's just ended, or they've thanked you. That's when to ask, not three weeks later in an email they'll never open.
2. Make It One Tap
Don't tell people to "find us on Google". Send them your review link, which goes straight to the review box. You'll find it in your Google Business Profile under the option to ask for reviews.
- Text it after the job.
- Put it in your invoice or receipt email.
- Print a QR code for the counter, the boat or the van.
3. Just Ask, Plainly
Something like this works fine:
"Thanks again for today. If you were happy with the job, a quick Google review would really help a small local business like mine. Here's the link."
Short, honest and easy to say no to. Most people won't.
4. Reply To Every Review
Reply to the good ones and the bad ones. It shows customers there's a real person behind the business, and it shows Google you're active.
- Good review: thank them by name and mention what you did for them.
- Bad review: stay calm, don't argue, and offer to sort it out. People reading it care more about how you respond than the review itself.
What Not To Do
- Don't pay or offer anything for reviews. No discounts, freebies or prize draws in return. It's against Google's rules.
- Don't only ask the happy ones. Google doesn't allow picking and choosing who gets asked based on what they'll say.
- Don't write them yourself or get friends and family to. Fake reviews are against Australian Consumer Law, and Google removes them.
- Don't ask for them all at once. Twenty reviews in a day after a year of none looks odd. Make asking part of how every job finishes.
Reviews are one part of showing up in the map. If you're still missing, read why your business isn't showing in the Google map.
Nath J is the website designer and SEO specialist behind Ripple Effect Online, in Airlie Beach since 2001. More about me.
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