# How to get more Google reviews as a tradesman

> Most happy customers will leave a Google review if you ask at the right time, in the right way. A simple routine for trades, with message templates.

Source: https://roughfigure.com/blog/how-to-get-more-google-reviews (updated 2026-05-29)

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](https://roughfigure.com/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](https://roughfigure.com/blog/website-for-tradesmen));
- 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](https://roughfigure.com/blog/google-business-profile-for-tradesmen).