Best Tactics for Asking for Reviews on Google

Online reviews from happy customers are a great way to turn your business name into a household name—even for small businesses.

That’s because Google reviews that appear in Google Search engine results and on Google Maps, along with customer reviews submitted on Yelp, social media, and other review sites, offer powerful social proof—so powerful, in fact, that they influence up to 93 percent of purchase decisions.

Since your company’s star ratings can wield such an impact, it’s essential to ask for customer reviews. More importantly, you need to know how to effectively ask for Google reviews using these best practices.

How Do I Ask For Google Reviews Without Being Pushy?

If you’re wondering how to get Google reviews in a way that won’t turn off customers, the best place to start is by using some of these effective tactics.

While there’s no magic formula for getting happy customers to write positive reviews, simply asking politely can go a long way in generating new reviews for your small business.

1. Ask Once 

Do not spam your email list, SMS subscriber list, or social media followers with tons of requests.

Let your fans know how to leave a review for your small business on Google and include a link to your Google Business Profile. Explain how online reviews help potential customers understand what they can expect from your business and how they can help small business owners get more customer referrals.

2. Ask Without Asking

Include your Google review link in your website’s footer, in your email signature, on your business cards, and at the bottom of invoices. That way, loyal customers know where to easily find your Google Business Profile and can write positive reviews that influence your search rankings without being asked directly.

3. Know When to Ask

When requesting reviews, it’s essential to be strategic in your approach. Avoid sending review requests to email subscribers who haven’t engaged with your company’s emails for months, as their lack of interaction may indicate disinterest. Similarly, exercise discretion when asking customers in person for reviews, particularly if they appear to be in a rush, upset, or preoccupied, as their current state may not be conducive to a positive response.

Additionally, refrain from soliciting reviews from new email or SMS subscribers who haven’t yet completed a transaction with your company, as their limited experience may not provide valuable insights for prospective customers.

How to Ask for a Google Review

Use these six clever strategies for asking for Google reviews and increase your chances of review request conversions.

1. Start With the Basics

• Personalize your outreach by including your customer’s first name in the request.
• Provide a clear call to action (CTA) for customers by asking them to provide their customer reviews on your Google business page.
• Include the review link to your Google Business Profile listing for your Google account, formerly known as Google My Business (GMB).
• Show you value your customers by thanking them for their time.

2. Don’t Ask for a Five-Star Rating

Instead of pressuring customers for a positive review, request feedback about their customer experience. Ask what they liked and how you can improve. They’ll appreciate that their honest feedback and opinions are valued. Ensure they know you use customer feedback to improve your products and services.

3. Spell Out the Benefits of Customer Feedback for Small Businesses

Let customers know that online reviews are social proof and help your small business stand out against other local businesses. Explain how their comments offer guidance to their fellow consumers and attract new potential customers to your small business.

4. Google Review Request Email Templates to Ask for Reviews

These email templates and scripts can be used to request reviews for your business listing on Google, Yelp, and other social media channels. They can be customized to include your:

• Customer’s name
• Business name or company name
• Contact information (such as your phone number, email, and social media handles)

5. Automate the Process

Online reputation and review management software automatically request reviews after customer interactions with just one click. This way, you don’t have to manually follow up to ask for reviews after every customer interaction.

6. Add a Customer Review Page to Your Website

Include your Google review link and links to your business listings for review sites like Yelp and social media platforms. You can even highlight some of your favorite five-star testimonials about your local business on your home page.

“Leave Us a Google Review” Templates

Use these review request email templates and review request SMS templates to get quick Google reviews from your loyal customers.

1. Example for Asking for Google Reviews via Text Message

Hi [customer’s name],

Thanks for your business! Would you write a review [link to Google Business Profile] to help other customers learn more about us? Thanks!

2. Example for Asking for Google Reviews via Email

Hi [customer’s name],

Thank you for doing business with us! We want to hear more about your customer experience so we can keep serving you better. Would you kindly take a minute to write a quick Google review [link to Google Business Profile]? This will help other customers learn more about us.

Small businesses like ours rely on referrals from online review platforms from customers like you!

Thanks!

3. Example for Asking in Person for Google Reviews

Here is a sample script of a positive customer encounter:

Customer: I had a fantastic experience at your store today! Your team was so helpful.

You: Thank you so much for your kind words; that really means a lot! If you have time, we’d greatly appreciate it if you could share your experience shopping with us today. Leaving a Google review would be a tremendous help to us.

Customer: Sure, I’d be happy to!

You: Thank you! Here’s a card with instructions on how to leave a review. Your feedback means a lot to us!

4. Example of Asking for Google Reviews Over the Phone

Here is an example you can use for follow-up calls or appointment reminders:

[After addressing the customer’s needs or confirming the appointment]

You: Before we wrap up, I wanted to ask if you’ve had a chance to review our services. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. Leaving a Google review would be greatly appreciated!

Customer: I haven’t done that yet, but I can.

You: Fantastic! I’ll send you an email with a link and instructions on how to leave a review. Thank you so much for your time, and we look forward to seeing you soon for your appointment.

5. Example of Asking for Google Reviews on the Purchase Receipt

Thank you for choosing [Your Business Name]! We hope you enjoyed your recent purchase. Your feedback matters to us. Please take a moment to share your experience by leaving a Google review. Simply visit [Google Review Link] and let us know how we did. Your review not only helps us enhance our services but also assists others in finding outstanding [Your Product/Service]. Thank you for supporting our local business!

6. Example for Asking for Google Reviews via Thank You Card

Front of Card: [Your Business Logo]

Inside of Card:

Dear [Customer’s Name],

We’re truly grateful for your recent visit to [Your Business Name]. Your support means the world to us! We hope you had a wonderful experience.

If you have a moment, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please consider leaving us a Google review. Your feedback helps us continue to provide exceptional service to amazing customers like you.

Thank you for choosing [Your Business Name]!

Warm Regards,

[Your Business Name]

7. Example of Asking for a Google Review on Your Website

Wireframe

Header: Leave Us a Review

Introduction Text: Briefly explain the importance of reviews and how they help your business.

Google Review Button: A prominent button linking directly to your Google review page.

Here’s an example of what this could look like on a web page:

Template for “Leave Us a Review” Page

Header: “Leave Us a Review”

Introduction Text: “Your feedback helps us improve and serves as a guide for others. Please consider sharing your experience by leaving a Google review. We appreciate your support!”

[Google Review Button]

Thank You Message: “Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! Your feedback is invaluable to us.”

8. Examples of Asking for Google Reviews on Social Media

Facebook

We’d love to hear your thoughts about your recent shopping experiences with us. Your feedback helps us grow and serve you better. Leave us a Google review today! [Google Review URL]

Twitter

Your opinion matters! Share your recent experiences with us by leaving a Google review. Your feedback is what keeps us going! [Google Review URL]

Instagram

#FeedbackFriday: How did we do today? Share your recent visit with us by leaving a Google review. Your feedback helps us serve you better.

#YourBusinessName #CustomerFeedback #NameOfYourCommunity

9. Marketing Materials That Ask for Google Reviews Templates

Template for In-Store Banners

Love what we do? Share your thoughts! Leave us a Google review today and help us continue to serve you better.

Template for In-Store Cards

Front: Your Feedback Matters!

Inside: Thank you for being our valued customer. Please consider leaving a Google review to let us know how we’re doing. Your review helps us improve! [Google Review URL or QR Code]

Templates for Business Cards

Front: [Your Business Logo]

Back: Connect with us! Leave us a Google review and share your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Template for Print Ad

Join our community of satisfied customers! Share your experiences with us by leaving a Google review. Your feedback drives us forward.

How to Get More Reviews

Want to see your customer review volume really take off? Be sure to leverage a cross-channel approach.

1. Ask For Google Reviews over Email

Increase your Google reviews by following up with customers via email after critical transactions, such as purchasing, booking, or visiting.

2. Ask For Google Reviews via SMS

SMS review requests are incredibly powerful because SMS is such a highly engaging channel. In fact, 98 percent of text messages that are sent get opened. Compare that to the average open rate of email marketing campaigns, which is 20 percent. When you send your SMS review requests, be sure to:

• Ask customers to rate their experiences.
• Include a Google review link that takes customers directly to your business listing.
• Keep your messages short, ideally around 160 characters or less.

3. Ask For Google Reviews via Live Chat and Web Customer Support

If you have live chat for sales or a customer service chat tool on your website, you can set up a workflow to ask for Google reviews at the end of every live chat session.

4. Ask For Google Reviews Right When Customers Walk Into Your Storefront

Get a “Review us on Google” sticker that you can place on your door or by the cash register to encourage visitors to rate their experience after visiting your place of business in person.

5. Ask for Google Reviews on Your Website

Your website is a prime location to encourage customers to leave Google reviews. By making it easy and convenient for visitors to share their experiences, you increase the likelihood of receiving valuable feedback again and again! Here’s what you need to do:

Add a Review Link to the Header or Footer

Header

Placing a “Leave a Review” link in the header of your website ensures that it’s prominently displayed on every page. Visitors can easily access it, regardless of where they navigate on your site. This constant visibility encourages more customers to consider leaving a review.

Footer

The footer of your website is another strategic location for a review link. It’s a standard practice for users to scroll down to the footer for additional information. Including a review link here ensures that even those who’ve reached the end of your page are aware of the opportunity to leave feedback.

Incorporate It into Popular Pages

Identify your website’s most popular pages and incorporate a review link into their content. These pages are where you engage with your audience most effectively, so it’s the perfect spot to ask for reviews too. For example:

Product Pages

If you sell products online, consider adding a review request close to your product descriptions or at the end of the checkout process.

Service Pages

For service-oriented businesses, place a review request near descriptions of your services. Highlighting satisfied customer experiences can prompt others to share their thoughts.

Contact Us Page

Since visitors often visit the contact page to interact with your business, include a review request here as well. After customers have engaged with you, it’s a prime time to ask for their feedback.

Blog Posts

If your website includes a blog, insert review requests within relevant posts. For instance, if you publish a post about a successful project or a satisfied customer story, invite readers to leave reviews to strengthen your credibility.

Link to the Review Page

To make it super easy for customers to leave reviews, provide a direct link to your Google review page. You can create a custom link using Google’s review link generator tool, which ensures a smooth and hassle-free review process.

By asking for Google reviews on your website, you demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction and feedback. Make sure the process is straightforward, and you’ll likely see an increase in those sweet, sweet 5-star ratings that keep your local business on top.

Pro-Tip: 

Save time and energy by automating the Google review acquisition process. Automation can simplify collecting, responding to, and monitoring reviews, helping you quickly respond and engage with your valued customers.

Why Are Google Reviews Important?

Both positive Google reviews and negative Google reviews are essential for various reasons.

• Positive reviews help businesses attract potential customers when customers take the time to share relevant information, which shows up in local search engine results and on Google Maps.
• Negative reviews shed light on ways business owners can improve the customer experience as customers share what they like and don’t like about service providers and local businesses.
• High-quality business reviews can improve business visibility and increase your chances of attracting customers to learn more about your business, according to Google’s guidelines on how to improve your local SEO ranking on Google Search and Google Maps.

Is It Illegal to Buy Google Reviews?

Yes, purchasing Google reviews is illegal, so don’t buy reviews on Google or any other review platform. You should never buy reviews because doing so could result in legal action from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Google can spot fake reviews and has spam detection filters to automatically flag and remove false reviews.

Besides that, Google considers any content with a conflict of interest off-limits.

What Should You Do When You Get a Bad Review?

It happens to everyone, even the best local business owners. Occasional negative reviews are simply inevitable. As much as you can try to prevent critical reviews by offering a top-notch customer experience, it’s also important to know what to do when you receive less-than-positive feedback.

The Best Ways to Respond to Negative Reviews

While no one likes being on the receiving end of bad feedback, it’s important to remember that behind every negative review is an actual customer who had an unhappy customer experience for one reason or another.

To turn things around and help strengthen your online reputation, remember to follow these best practices when responding to reviews from customers who’ve posted about a negative experience:

• Follow up with a timely response to every negative review
• Thank the customer for taking the time to share their experiences
• Acknowledge the customer’s feedback, feelings, and point of view
• Spell out the next steps you plan to take because of this customer feedback
• Solve any issues that you can
• Make things right by offering a refund or discount
• Apologize
• Be sincere
• Share your contact information, such as your phone number or email, so that the individual can reach out for further assistance

Can You Buy Google Reviews?

While there may be companies out there trying to sell fake Google reviews, buying Google reviews is not an effective marketing strategy. As explained above, buying reviews is against Google’s guidelines.

Google considers this kind of “fake engagement” as “prohibited and restricted content.” Fake engagement includes “paying, incentivizing or encouraging the posting of content that does not represent a genuine experience” and “content that is not based on a real experience and does not accurately represent the location or product in question.”

Let Broadly Handle Your Business Reputation Management

Broadly helps business owners and local businesses get more online reviews, attract new customers, and cultivate brand advocates. The powerful online review and reputation management tools support successful word-of-mouth marketing in today’s digital world.

 

This article was updated on September 26th, 2023.