Winning work
How tradies can get more Google reviews (without being pushy)
Why do Google reviews matter for tradies?
Reviews affect whether you show up in Google's local map results and whether people call you once they see you. A steady flow of recent reviews matters more than a large number of old ones.
When should you ask for a review?
Ask at the moment the customer is happiest: when the job is finished and they've seen the result. Ask in person, then follow up with a text containing your direct review link the same day. Asking a week later gets far fewer responses.
What should the message say?
Thanks for having us today. If you're happy with the work, a quick Google review would really help our small business: [link]. Thanks, Sam.
Short, personal and one link. You can find your review link in your Google Business Profile.
How should you respond to reviews?
Reply to every review. Thank positive reviewers by name and mention the job. For negative reviews, stay calm, acknowledge the issue, and offer to fix it offline. Potential customers read your replies as closely as the reviews.
What's not allowed?
- Paying for reviews or offering discounts in exchange for them.
- Writing reviews for yourself, or asking staff and family to.
- Only asking customers you know are happy while filtering out others through a "review gate".
Fake or incentivised reviews can breach Google's policies and the Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC has taken action against businesses over fake reviews.
Make it automatic
Set your job management software to send the review request when a job is marked complete or an invoice is paid. Consistency is what builds reviews, and automation makes you consistent.