The short answer: Ask every customer, straight after a good experience, with a direct link that opens your Google review box in one tap. Make asking part of your process rather than something you remember now and then, and never offer incentives for reviews.
Google reviews are often the first thing people check before they call a local business. A steady stream of recent, genuine reviews builds trust, and replying to them shows you care. The good news is that getting more reviews is mostly about asking consistently and making it easy.
1. Get your direct review link
Your review link opens the review box for your business on Google, so customers don’t have to search for you. You can copy it from your Google Business Profile, or create one in seconds with our free Google review link generator, which also makes a QR code and ready-to-send messages.
2. Ask at the right moment
The best time to ask is when the customer is happiest: right after the job is finished, the appointment is over or the result is delivered. Wait a week and the moment has passed.
- Tradies: once you’ve cleaned up and the customer has checked the work.
- Clinics and salons: as they leave, or with a text an hour later.
- Professional services: when you deliver the result, like a settled loan or a lodged tax return.
3. Ask by text, and keep it short
A short, friendly text with your link is usually the easiest request for customers to act on. Here’s one you can copy:
Hi Sarah, thanks for choosing Smith Plumbing 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: [your review link]
Email works too, especially for professional services. Keep it just as short, with one clear link.
4. Make asking part of your process
Most businesses don’t miss out on reviews because customers are unhappy. They miss out because they forget to ask. Build the request into your routine so it happens every time:
- Add your QR code to invoices, receipts and business cards.
- Put a review sign at your counter or reception.
- Add your review link to your email signature.
- Best of all, send review requests automatically when a job is marked done.
5. Follow Google’s rules
Reviews that break the rules can be removed, and fake reviews can land you in trouble with the ACCC. Stay on the right side with a few simple principles:
- No incentives. Don’t offer discounts, freebies or prize draws in exchange for reviews.
- Ask everyone. Don’t only ask customers you think are happy. Google’s policies don’t allow selectively asking for positive reviews.
- No fake reviews. Never write reviews for yourself, or ask staff, friends or family to review your business.
- No pressure. Ask once, remind once at most, and leave it there.
6. Reply to every review
Replying shows future customers that you care. Thank people for positive reviews, and mention the job where you can. For negative reviews, stay calm, apologise for the experience and offer to sort it out offline. A thoughtful reply to a bad review can win more trust than the review costs you.
7. Put your reviews to work
Share your best reviews on your website, on social media and alongside your quotes. Real words from real customers are more convincing than anything you can write yourself.
How to automate review requests
Doing all this by hand works, but it’s easy to slip when you’re busy. With My New Admin, review requests go out on their own:
- A job is marked done, or an appointment ends.
- The customer gets a text or email with your review link.
- A gentle reminder follows a few days later, once only.
- New reviews appear in one place, where you can reply to Google and Facebook reviews from one screen.
You can also add a review widget to your website to show off your best reviews automatically. Try My New Admin free for 14 days, or start with the free review link generator.
Frequently asked questions
Copy it from your Google Business Profile, or use our free Google review link generator to create one from your profile link or Place ID. It makes a QR code too.
No. Google’s policies don’t allow incentives for reviews, and incentivised or fake reviews can also be misleading under Australian Consumer Law.
No. Google’s policies don’t allow selectively asking for positive reviews. Ask every customer and let them share their honest experience.
There’s no magic number. A steady flow of recent, genuine reviews usually matters more than a big total from years ago, so aim to ask every customer.
Yes. Reply calmly, apologise for the experience and offer to fix it offline. Future customers read your replies too, and a professional response builds trust.
Only if it breaks Google’s policies, for example if it’s spam, off-topic or offensive. You can report it from your Business Profile. Otherwise, a professional reply is your best option.