How to get more Google reviews for your contracting business

Google reviews matter because they affect where you rank in local search and whether the homeowner who finds you decides to call. How many reviews you have and how good they are both count, and a steady flow of new ones does more than a burst of them. More reviews mean more visibility, and more visibility means more customers.

The ten strategies come down to five habits: ask when the customer is happiest, make leaving a review a one-tap job, automate the request after every completed job, train your whole team to ask, and never pay or discount for a review, which Google prohibits. Each strategy is below.

Ask at the right moment

Timing is everything. Ask for a review when customers are happiest:

• Right after completing a job (while you're still there)
• After they compliment your work
• When they pay their invoice (if paying in person)

Don't wait days or weeks - the moment passes quickly.

Make it ridiculously easy

Remove all friction from the review process:

• Send a direct link to your Google review page
• Include the link in your invoice or receipt
• Create a QR code they can scan
• Text the link (most effective method)

Pro tip: You can get your direct Google review link from your Google Business Profile under "Get more reviews."

Use automated review requests

Set up automatic review requests after every completed job:

• Send a text message 1–2 hours after job completion
• Include a personal thank-you message
• Provide a direct link to leave a review

Field service software can send these for you: Business Genie sends automated follow-ups and review requests. The help center has a step-by-step guide to getting more Google reviews.

Train your team

Every technician should be comfortable asking for reviews:

What to say

"Mr. Smith, I'm glad we could fix that for you today. If you have a minute, it would really help our small business if you could leave us a quick Google review. I can text you the link right now."

Practice makes perfect. Role-play with your team.

Follow up on estimates (even lost ones)

Even customers who don't hire you can leave reviews about their estimate experience:

• Professional communication
• Prompt response
• Fair pricing
• Knowledgeable technicians

Some of your best reviews might come from people who appreciated your professionalism.

Respond to every review

Responding shows you care and encourages others to leave reviews:

For positive reviews

"Thank you, [Name]! We loved working with you and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. See you next time!"

For negative reviews

"We're sorry to hear about your experience, [Name]. Please contact us at [phone] so we can make this right."

Always respond professionally - potential customers are watching.

Create review cards

Physical reminder cards work surprisingly well:

• Hand them out after completing jobs
• Include QR code and short URL
• Add a simple "Thank you for your business"
• Leave in visible spot (on counter, with invoice)

Add the link to your email signature

Every email you send is an opportunity:

Add to your signature:

"Happy with our service? Leave us a review: [link]"

Simple, passive, and effective.

Offer exceptional service

The best review strategy is exceptional service:

• Show up on time (or call ahead if delayed)
• Protect the customer's home (booties, drop cloths)
• Explain what you're doing and why
• Clean up after yourself
• Follow up to ensure satisfaction

5-star service leads to 5-star reviews naturally.

Don't incentivize reviews

Important: Google prohibits incentivizing reviews. Don't offer:

• Discounts for reviews
• Gift cards for reviews
• Any compensation for reviews

This can get your reviews removed or your listing penalized.

Negative reviews happen, and how you answer one is read by every customer who sees it. Handle it in five steps: stay calm, reply within 24 hours, offer to talk it through by phone, fix the problem if you can, and use what the customer said to improve:

1. Don't panic - One bad review won't sink you
2. Respond quickly - Within 24 hours
3. Take it offline - Offer to discuss via phone
4. Make it right - Fix the problem if possible
5. Learn from it - Use feedback to improve

Often, customers will update their review after you resolve the issue.

Aim for at least 10 Google reviews to look credible, 25 to 50 to look good, and 100 or more to stand out, then keep adding 2 to 4 new reviews every month:

• Minimum: 10 reviews to appear credible
• Good: 25–50 reviews
• Great: 100+ reviews
• Ongoing: 2–4 new reviews per month

Consistency matters more than having hundreds at once.

Check your reviews every week. Set up a Google Alert for your business name, look at your Google Business Profile, watch how your average rating moves over time, and celebrate the milestones with your team so they keep asking.