Ask every customer, at the moment they are happiest, with a direct link to your review page, and make it take less than a minute. Automate the ask so it never gets forgotten, reply to every review, and never offer rewards or only ask happy customers, because that breaks Google’s rules.
Why reviews matter so much
BrightLocal’s 2026 survey found that 97% of consumers read reviews for local businesses. 68% will only use a business with four stars or more, and 31% want 4.5 or higher. Recency matters too: 74% look for reviews from the last three months.
Reviews also make your ads work harder. A homeowner who clicks your Facebook ad will often search your name before they call.
When to ask
Ask when the customer is happiest: right after the job is finished, the result is delivered, or they have said thank you. Waiting a week means they have moved on.
What to say
Keep it short and personal. For example: “Thanks again for choosing us, Sarah. If you were happy with the new bathroom, would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It really helps a small business like ours. Here’s the link: [link]”
- Use a direct link to your review form so it opens in one tap.
- Send it by text, which people open far more than email.
- Send one reminder a few days later if they have not done it. Then stop.
What not to do
Google’s policy does not allow offering incentives for reviews, or selectively asking only happy customers. Breaking the rules can get reviews removed. Ask everyone, and handle unhappy customers by fixing the problem.
Automate it
The biggest reason businesses have few reviews is simply forgetting to ask. An automation can send the request when you mark a job as done, send one reminder, and let you know when a new review comes in. I set this up as part of GoHighLevel and AI automation systems.
Reply to every review
In the same survey, 80% of consumers said they are likely to use a business that responds to all its reviews. Thank people for good reviews, and reply calmly and helpfully to bad ones. Future customers read the replies.
Want reviews coming in on autopilot?
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Book a free callFrequently asked questions
How do I get more Google reviews fast?
Ask every recent customer by text with a direct review link, then automate the request after every future job. Consistency beats one big push.
Can I pay or offer a discount for Google reviews?
No. Google does not allow incentives for reviews, and it can remove reviews that break the rules.
Should I reply to bad reviews?
Yes. Reply calmly, apologise where appropriate and offer to fix it offline. Future customers judge you by how you handle problems.
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- Facebook ads for plumbers: how to get more boiler and bathroom jobs
- Facebook ads for roofers: a simple plan for more roofing leads
Pierce Tagle is a Facebook ads expert and AI automation specialist. He builds the ads, funnels and GoHighLevel follow-up systems that turn clicks into booked calls for businesses in the US and UK. More about Pierce