Why reviews matter
Reviews reassure the customer before the first contact, and they help Google see that your business is active and serious in your area. Two listings close together on the map are not equal if one has twenty recent reviews and the other none.
When to ask for a review
The best moment is right after a successful job, when the customer is happy and the memory is fresh. Waiting a week greatly reduces the chance of a reply.
How to ask
Make it as easy as possible:
- send a direct link to your Google listing that opens the review window in one click
- prefer a short text message to a long email
- keep it simple: "Thank you for your trust. If you are happy, a review would help us a lot: [link]"
- ask every customer, not only the ones you know
Replying to reviews
Reply to every review, positive or negative. A polite, calm and factual reply to a negative review reassures future customers as much as a good review. Never argue.
What not to do
- buying or inventing reviews: Google removes them and can penalise your listing
- offering a discount or a gift in exchange for a review, which Google prohibits
- screening customers and asking only the happiest ones in a way that forces the rating
FAQ
- How many reviews do I need to look credible?
- There is no official threshold. What counts is having recent, steady reviews with replies from you.
- Can I delete a negative review?
- Only if it breaks Google's rules (fake review, abusive language). Otherwise reply calmly: it is more useful.
- How long before I see an effect on my Google listing?
- A few weeks of steady requests are enough to see the number of reviews rise. The effect on visibility comes afterwards, gradually.