You know you need more Google reviews. You just hate asking for them. Most tradies and local service businesses feel the same. It feels like begging, or like you’re fishing for compliments after a job. But here’s the thing: customers who had a good experience almost always want to leave a review. They just don’t think to do it unless you ask.
Why reviews matter more than most people realise
Not just for trust (though they matter for that too). Google uses review count, recency, and rating as ranking signals for local search. A business with 40 reviews at 4.7 stars will rank higher than a competitor with 8 reviews at 5.0. It’s not fair, but it’s how the algorithm works. Which means asking for reviews isn’t vanity — it’s a business development activity. You’re not fishing for compliments. You’re improving your visibility to the people who need you most.
The simplest way to ask
Ask at the moment the customer is happiest — right after the job is done, when they’ve just said “thanks, that’s great.” That’s when they mean it. Have a direct link to your Google review page saved in your phone. Text it with a short message: “Hey [name], thanks for having us out today. If you have a moment, we’d really appreciate a Google review — here’s the link: [link]. Only takes two minutes.” That’s it. No script. No pressure. If they don’t do it, they don’t do it — don’t follow up more than once. You’ve asked, they’ve heard you, that’s enough.
What not to do
Don’t offer incentives for reviews — Google’s terms prohibit it and it can get your listing suspended. Don’t ask in bulk at the end of the quarter (Google can detect sudden review spikes and filter them). Don’t ask unhappy customers. And definitely don’t write reviews yourself or have friends write them. You’ll get caught, and it’s not worth it.
Getting your review link
Go to your Google Business Profile, click “Ask for reviews,” and copy the link Google gives you. Shorten it with bit.ly if you’re going to share it in text messages. Save it somewhere you’ll actually use it — your phone notes, your invoicing software, wherever makes sense for your workflow. The easier it is to grab, the more often you’ll actually ask.
The goal
Aim for one or two new reviews a month. That’s enough to steadily improve your ranking without triggering spam filters. Consistency beats a burst of ten reviews in one week followed by nothing for a year. It’s boring, but it works.
If you want help building a proper review strategy — or figuring out how reviews fit into your wider local search plan — that’s what we do at LBA as part of Search & Listings. Worth a conversation if you’re serious about being found by more local customers.
Written by Benjamin — Benjamin is the founder of Local Business Accelerator, a Brisbane digital agency helping local businesses grow their online presence through websites, SEO, and Google Ads.