In more detail
Making reviews part of every job
When two businesses look the same on paper, reviews are often what decides it. They are the closest thing to a recommendation from a friend that a stranger can get. A steady stream of fresh, honest reviews tells new customers that you are active, reliable and worth calling.
Most happy customers are willing to leave a review. They simply do not think of it, or they mean to and forget. The answer is to ask, every time, and to make it as easy as possible. Your Google Business Profile gives you a direct review link. Save it somewhere handy and send it by text or email as soon as the job is finished, while the experience is fresh.
Timing matters. A request that arrives straight after a job well done is far more likely to be acted on than one sent weeks later. A short, personal message works best. Thank them, say you would appreciate a review if they were happy, and include the link.
Keep it honest. Google's policies do not allow offering rewards in exchange for reviews, writing reviews yourself or asking only the customers you expect to be positive. Reviews that look manufactured can be removed and can damage trust. Ask everyone, and let the reviews reflect the real experience.
Replying to reviews matters as much as collecting them. Thank people for positive reviews in a way that sounds personal. When a review is negative, stay calm, acknowledge the issue, and offer to put it right offline. Future customers read those replies, and a thoughtful response to a complaint can build more trust than a perfect score.
Finally, check how you look from the outside. Search your business name and look at the number of reviews and the date of the most recent one. If the newest review is old, that is your cue to start asking again.
