FreeGoogle Business ProfileAbout 30 min

Ask for Reviews the Right Way

You ask every customer the same way, right after the job, with a direct link. You never pay for reviews, write them, or pick who gets asked.

This lesson has a paid link. We earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you. You can finish the step without it. How we handle paid links.

By Anthony Limpert, founder of Clickflame

Why This Matters

The worst mistake is a fake or bought review. The FTC rule bans writing or selling a fake review and buying one you should have known was false. It also covers reviews from your own staff and relatives that misstate who they are. Google also removes reviews tied to gifts or to a conflict of interest, and it can hurt your profile.

✓ How To Do It

In your Business Profile, find the link or QR code for asking for reviews. Save it where the whole team can get it. The existing basics are in Set Up a Review-Ask Routine.
Decide the ask once. Write two sentences that thank them and ask for their real feedback on Google. Do not say the review has to be five stars.
Ask every customer. Do not skip the ones who seemed unhappy. Picking only happy customers is something Google's policy prohibits.
Send it the same day, while the job is fresh. A QR code on the invoice or a card in the truck works too.
Before you text the link, get the customer's OK to be texted. The federal rule at 47 CFR 64.1200 covers texts, and consent matters. If unsure, hand them the QR code or send an email.
Never offer a gift, a discount or a prize for a review. Never ask staff, family or friends to post. Never post one yourself.
Reply to every review in a day or two. Be short and specific. Thank them for a detail they gave.
For a bad review, answer with the facts and invite a phone call. Never share private details or argue.
Keep a sheet of when you asked and when you got a reply. Check it each month.

Done WhenA saved review link, a written ask, and a sheet that shows each recent customer asked.

Reference List

Sources

Optional Paid Shortcut

Claude can draft short, specific replies to reviews once you paste in the review and the job facts. You would not need it if you only get a few reviews a month. Check every fact in the reply, and never paste in a customer's private details.

Try Claude

Paid link. We earn a commission if you buy through it. It costs you nothing extra.

Not needed to finish this step.

Tips & Pitfalls

Do not pay a service that promises reviews. If the reviews are not from real customers, the rule applies to you.
A short 4 star review with a real story beats a stack of one liners.
Reviews you did not earn can cost you the profile.

Done with this step? Mark it complete to track your campaign progress.