2 min read · Updated October 14, 2026

How do I get more reviews the right way?

The short answer

Ask every customer, right after the job, with a direct link. Never pay for reviews or ask only the happy ones. Then reply to every review, good or bad.

Video coming soon A 60-second version of this guide.

Until then, the full guide is right here — about 2 minutes to read.

Why reviews matter

Most people check reviews before they choose a local business. Fresh reviews and replies from the owner matter too.

AI tools read review sites as well. ChatGPT’s local results draw on sources like Yelp.

Ask at the right moment

Ask when the job is done and the customer is pleased it’s finished — before you leave, or the same day. A short text with your link is easy to act on. “Leave us a review sometime” is not.

Ask everyone, the same way

The FTC rule bans fake reviews and rewards tied to a positive (or negative) review. Asking only happy customers isn’t written in that rule, but it can still be a problem under the FTC’s Endorsement Guides — and Google clearly bans it, along with any reward for a review.

So send the same request to every customer, with nothing in return. A good system does this for you automatically, so you never have to pick and choose.

What to say

Keep it short and personal. For example: “Hi Maria, thanks for having us out today. If you have a minute, a Google review really helps a small business like ours: [your link]. — Dave”

Reply to every review

Thank people by name. For a bad review, stay calm. Say sorry for their experience and offer to sort it out by phone. Never argue in public — future customers are reading.

Do it yourself

Open your Google Business Profile, tap “Ask for reviews” and copy the link.
Save the message above as a note on your phone, with your link in it.
Send it to every customer the day you finish the job.
If they haven’t left a review after a few days, send one friendly reminder. Only one.
Reply to every review within a few days.
Add your review link to your invoices and your website.

You do / We do

Take a breath. You don’t have to learn the tech. You keep doing what you’re good at, and we handle the technical side.

You do	We do
Do good work, like you always do.	Build your website, a page for each service, and the structured data — a basic way to state your hours, address and services clearly so machines don’t get them wrong.
Snap real photos of your jobs, shop and crew on your phone, and send them in.	Reuse each photo on your site and your Google profile.
Every customer gets the same review ask. It goes out automatically.	Run review requests that follow the FTC and Google rules.
Jot down the questions customers really ask you.	Turn those questions into FAQs and service pages.
Look it over and approve it before anything goes live.	Keep your listings the same everywhere, and send you a monthly report.

What we handle depends on the plan you pick. Nothing goes live without your OK.

Want us to do it?

Review requests after every job

After each job, one polite text with your Google review link. Every customer gets the same request — never only the happy ones.

$200 one-time, added to your website

See it in the builder Free check

Not sure what you need? The free check looks at how your business shows up online.

Sources

Search Engine Land: How does ChatGPT conduct local searches?
eCFR · Federal Trade Commission (2024): Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (16 CFR Part 465)
Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule: questions and answers
Google: Maps user-contributed content policy

Last checked October 14, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.