How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Trade Business

Google reviews are one of the biggest things customers look at when choosing a tradesperson. They also help your Google Business Profile show up higher in local map results. The good news is that getting more of them is mostly about having a simple habit.

1. Get your direct review link

Log in to your Google Business Profile and look for the option to ask for reviews. Google gives you a short link that opens the review form for your business directly. Save it on your phone so you can send it in seconds.

2. Ask at the right moment

The best time to ask is straight after the job, when the customer is happiest: the leak is fixed, the heating is on, the room looks great. A friendly text that evening works well. Something like:

"Thanks again for having us round today, Sarah. If you're happy with the work, a quick Google review would really help our small business: [your link]. Thanks!"

Keep it short, personal and easy. Using the customer's name and mentioning the job makes a big difference.

3. Make it part of your routine

Most people are happy to leave a review. They just forget. Asking every customer, every time, is what builds up reviews over months. Some ideas:

• Add your review link to your invoices and receipts.
• Put a QR code linking to your review page on a small card you leave after each job.
• Add a polite reminder to your email signature.
• Send one follow-up a few days later if they haven't left one. Then leave it.

4. Reply to every review

Thank people for good reviews, ideally mentioning the job. For the occasional negative review, stay calm and professional. Acknowledge the issue, explain what you did or will do, and offer to talk offline. Future customers read your replies too, and a polite answer to a complaint can actually build trust.

5. What not to do

• Don't offer discounts or gifts for reviews. Google's policies don't allow incentivised reviews.
• Don't only ask customers you think will be happy. Selectively asking only happy customers ("review gating") also goes against Google's guidelines.
• Don't write reviews yourself or ask friends to post fake ones. Google can remove them, and in the UK fake reviews can break consumer protection law.
• Don't ask for loads of reviews in one day after months of none. A steady flow looks natural and helps more.

Show your reviews on your website

Once your reviews start building up, feature some of the best ones on your website, next to your quote form. Reviews near the "get a quote" button reassure people at exactly the moment they're deciding whether to contact you.

Start with your next job

Save your review link today and send it to the next customer you finish a job for. Keep asking every customer and your reviews, and your enquiries, will grow.

Want to see how your online presence stacks up overall? Try our free website health check.