Picture this: a concrete company has poured driveways in the same county for 20 years. Customers love them. Half their work is word of mouth. Then a new homeowner searches for a concrete contractor nearby, and the company down the road shows up with 140 reviews. This one has 3.
The work didn’t fail. The asking did. Here is how to get more Google reviews from customers who already love you, with one link and a 2-minute text.
“I hate asking. It feels like begging.”
It isn’t. Happy customers want to help you. Most just don’t know where to click. Sending the link is doing them a favor.
Think of reviews as word of mouth, written down
For 20 years your reputation lived in conversations at ball games and parking lots. Those still happen, but people check Google first now. A review is that same word of mouth, saved where strangers can read it.
Step 1: Get your review link (2 minutes, once)
Paste the link into a note on your phone so it’s always handy. Want a QR code for invoices or your truck? It’s on the same screen. Google says QR codes can only be made on a computer. Google’s steps: Create a review link or QR code.
Step 2: Send it at the right moment
The job is done
The driveway is poured, the family is settled in, the round is played.
They say “thank you”
That’s your moment. The good feeling is fresh.
Send the link within a day
A week later, the feeling has faded and the text gets ignored.
Step 3: Copy and paste these messages
Text message
Hi Sarah, thank you again for trusting us with your driveway. If you have 1 minute, a Google review would mean a lot to our small team: [your link]. Thank you! – Mike
Subject: A quick favor?
Hi Sarah, it was a pleasure working with you. If you were happy with the work, would you share a few words on Google? It helps other families find us. Here is the link: [your link]. Thank you for your trust. – Mike
Swap in your customer’s name, your name and your link. Short, personal, one link.
The rules, so your reviews stick
Do
- Ask every customer
- Ask within a day
- Reply to every review
- Keep it to one link
Don’t
- Offer discounts or gifts for reviews
- Write reviews for customers
- Have staff or family review you
- Ask only your favorites
Google prohibits trading discounts, gifts or freebies for reviews, and reviews earned that way can be removed. Google also says a mix of reviews can build trust. Google’s tips to get more reviews
Make it a habit, not a project
Many invoicing and scheduling tools can send the link for you. If yours doesn’t, a sticky note on the truck dashboard works too.
Who owns your reviews?
Your reviews are a business asset. Twenty years of them would be worth real money if you ever sell. Make sure your profile is owned by a company email you control. New to your profile? Start with How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile.
Do this today · 5 minutes
Copy your review link and text it to the last three customers who thanked you.
Questions owners ask
Do customers need a Gmail account to leave a review?
They need a Google account, and Google says it can be made with a non-Gmail email address.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
No. Google prohibits incentives for reviews, and those reviews can be removed.
What if I get a bad review?
Stay calm and reply. Here is exactly what to do: Got a Bad Google Review? Here’s What to Do.