Most customers are happy to leave a review. They just need to be asked at the right moment, in the right way. Here's a system that works without feeling pushy.
Ask within the first hour
Reviews left within an hour of a job or appointment convert far better than ones sent days later. The experience is fresh, the customer is still thinking about it, and the request feels relevant rather than like a generic marketing email.
Make it a one-tap action
Every extra step (logging in, searching for your business, finding the review button) loses customers. Send a direct link straight to your Google review box. One tap, write the review, done.
Use the channel they already check
Text messages get opened within minutes. Email works well for customers who prefer it, or where SMS isn't available. Offering both and letting the customer pick the channel that suits them removes friction.
Keep the message short
A good request reads like a text from a person, not a company. Something like:
- “Hi Sarah, thanks for choosing us today. If you're happy with the work, a quick Google review would mean a lot: [link]”
No pressure, no incentive, no five paragraphs explaining why reviews matter. Just a simple, genuine ask.
Automate the timing, not the tone
Automating when a request goes out, right after a job is marked complete, removes the manual step that usually gets forgotten. The message itself should still sound personal, with the customer's name and your business name, not a generic broadcast.