How to get more Google reviews as a tradesman

If you want to know how to get more Google reviews as a tradesman, the short answer is: ask every customer, at the right moment, and make it easy. Most happy customers are glad to leave a review. They just forget, or don’t know how.

Reviews matter because they’re one of the first things people check before contacting a trade. More recent, detailed reviews make your Google Business Profile and website more convincing, and help you stand out in local searches.

When to ask for a review

The best time is just after the job is finished, when the customer can see the result and is pleased with it. If you wait a few weeks, they’ve moved on.

Good moments:

• when you’re packing up and they say “that looks great”;
• the same evening or the next day, by text or email;
• when you send the invoice or receipt.

How to ask without being pushy

Keep it short, personal and easy, something like:

“Thanks again for having us today. If you’re happy with the work, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It really helps a small business like ours. Here’s the link: [your review link]”

A few tips:

• Use their name and mention the job. It feels personal, not automated.
• Send the direct link. Every extra tap loses people. Your Google Business Profile has a “share review form” or “ask for reviews” option that gives you a short link.
• Ask once, maybe remind once. A single friendly reminder a few days later is fine. More than that is pushy.
• Ask everyone. Don’t only ask the customers you think will be happy.

What not to do

Google has rules about reviews, and breaking them can get reviews removed or your profile restricted. In short:

• Don’t offer rewards such as discounts or prize draws in return for reviews.
• Don’t write reviews yourself or ask friends and family to pretend to be customers.
• Don’t pick and choose who to ask based on whether you think they’ll be positive.

Check Google’s own guidance on prohibited content if you’re unsure.

Make it a habit

The businesses with the most reviews aren’t always the best. They’re the ones that ask every time. Build it into how you finish every job:

1. Job finished, customer happy.
2. Text or email with the review link the same day.
3. One reminder after a few days if they haven’t left one.

Software can do this for you. In RoughFigure, marking a job as won can send the customer a review request automatically, a set number of days later. See all features.

Reply to every review

Reply to every review, good or bad, briefly and politely. Thank people for good reviews and mention the job. For a negative review, stay calm, apologise for their experience, and offer to sort it out offline. Other customers read your replies, and a thoughtful response to a bad review can win more trust than another five-star one.

Use your reviews

Once you have them, show them off:

• on your website, near your contact form or estimator (website checklist);
• in your quotes;
• on social media.

Questions

How many Google reviews does a tradesman need?

There’s no magic number, but recent reviews matter more than a big total from years ago. A steady flow every month looks better than a burst followed by nothing.

Can I ask customers to review me on more than one site?

Yes, but don’t overload them. Pick the one that matters most to you, usually Google, and ask for that.

What if a customer leaves an unfair review?

Reply politely with the facts. If it breaks Google’s rules (say, it’s not from a real customer), you can report it through your Business Profile.

For setting up the rest of your profile, see our Google Business Profile checklist.