Ask any tradie how many happy customers they've had and they'll say heaps. Ask how many Google reviews they've got and the number is usually a lot smaller. The gap between those two numbers is almost always the same thing. They didn't ask.
Reviews are one of the most valuable marketing assets a trade business can have. They help you rank higher on Google Maps, and they're one of the first things people read when deciding who to call. Here's how to get more of them without feeling like a pushy salesperson.
01Ask at the right moment
Timing is everything. The best moment to ask for a review is when the customer is happiest. That's usually right as you finish the job and they're looking at the result, or when they thank you for the work.
Wait a week and the moment's gone. They've moved on with their life, and your request becomes another thing on their to-do list.
02Make it ridiculously easy
The more steps between "sure, I'll leave a review" and the review actually being posted, the fewer you'll get. Most people mean well but give up if they have to search for your business, find the right listing and figure out where the review button is.
Get the direct review link from your Google Business Profile dashboard. It takes people straight to the box where they type their review. Then:
- Text it to them straight after the job, while you're still on site or driving away
- Add it to the bottom of your invoice emails
- Put a QR code on a small card you leave behind or on the back of your business card
- Add it to your email signature
03What to actually say
You don't need a script, but it helps to have a simple line ready. Something like:
"Really glad you're happy with how it turned out. Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It makes a massive difference for a small business like ours. I'll flick you the link now."
That's it. It's honest, it's friendly, and it explains why it matters to you. Most people are genuinely happy to help a local business that did good work for them.
04Follow up once
If someone said yes but hasn't left a review after a few days, send one friendly reminder with the link again. People forget. One reminder is helpful. Three is annoying.
05Reply to every review
Replying to reviews shows future customers that you care and that you're paying attention. Keep it personal. Mention the job and the person's name if they used it. Thank them properly instead of copying and pasting the same line every time.
For the occasional bad review, stay calm and professional. Acknowledge the issue, explain briefly what you did or will do about it, and offer to chat offline. People reading reviews know nobody's perfect. How you handle the bad one often says more than the ten good ones.
06What not to do
There are a few shortcuts that are worth staying well away from:
- Don't buy reviews or post fake ones. Google removes them and can suspend your profile
- Don't offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews, as it's against Google's rules
- Don't only ask the customers you think will leave five stars, since Google discourages selectively asking
- Don't write reviews for your mates' businesses and have them write yours
07Make it part of the job
The tradies with hundreds of reviews don't have better customers than you. They've just made asking part of finishing every job, the same as cleaning up the site. Once it's a habit, the reviews take care of themselves.
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