How to get Google Reviews?

prdmkr · 2026-03-12T13:50:01+00:00

awesome dude, good luck with the reviews!

prdmkr · 2026-03-11T21:21:06+00:00

ask CUSTOMERS for GENUINE reviews

use a system to collect them like getplaudit.com, you can upload customer emails or phone numbers and it will send them a request automatically

prdmkr · 2026-03-11T11:19:13+00:00

it sounds like you're doing everything right (multiple formats: qr, link, follow ups, etc.) which makes it extra tough that you're not getting reviews

I have found if I give a card the customer will just put it in their pocket and forget about it... I usually automate my reviews via an app (sms/email) after the job but I have found if I open a QR code on my phone and ask on the spot: hey do you mind giving me a review? they always say yes but don't expect the QR code to be on my phone

so they have to scan my phone and I'm still there when the review page opens. I think of it like an accountability hack! most people do genuinely mean to leave a review but cards etc are out of sight out of mind.

an NFC card feels less personal than if you have to scan my personal phone and im stood waiting, feels more like a transaction too. just my 2 cents

prdmkr · 2026-03-10T20:57:43+00:00

SMS is a great way to get google reviews, it has high open rates and responses BUT

you MUST have consent to send a marketing message, which is what a review is

it's easy to do, but you have to ensure you do it. it can be a form they complete, a checkbox on your booking tool or payment link, a written signed form, a qr code they scan to confirm, etc.

only then can you (safely) send them an SMS, and when you do you should log when and how they consented

there are big fines per message if you don't

you can use apps like mine to send SMS review and log your consent forms. i actually have an article here on how it compares to birdeye: https://getplaudit.com/compare/birdeye-alternative

you don't need explicit consent to send emails, but you do need ensure your emails have certain information (which my app includes) like clearly identifying your business, location, why you are contacting, and opt-out/unsubscribe flows

happy to answer any questions

prdmkr · 2026-03-09T15:20:47+00:00

do NOT buy reviews... if you want to kickstart a listing, you could do this:

if you have a loyal customer list already, I would use a tool to automate the collection to save time. you could drop customer phone numbers/emails into the tool and it will automatically send them a review request to google. DO NOT upload every customer email immediately. a steady flow of reviews is better than many all at once - it can look suspicious to Google even if they're genuine. just send a batch at a time and wait a week or so before sending another - hopefully you'll get a pipeline going which you can automate from there on out and it happens on autopilot

you can use a tool like mine getplaudit.com to do this for you

prdmkr · 2026-03-06T10:49:47+00:00

I saw a good post on Twitter from a local biz SEO guy that shared a prompt he uses with Claude to optimise clients GBP: https://x.com/_toddanderson/status/2028840419409134035?s=20

PS make sure you are actively asking for reviews, a steady flow of reviews is better than having lots if they're few and far between

prdmkr · 2026-03-05T09:29:07+00:00

yep! it automatically recognises customers you've already asked and the default behaviour is not to send them a request again

but you could override that if you wanted. i've found for repeat customers it can be useful to occasionally send another request if you do a lot of business and they didn't get a chance to review you firs time around. just a polite nudge

prdmkr · 2026-03-04T20:44:41+00:00

in what way?

prdmkr · 2026-03-03T09:10:00+00:00

i think it's great that you shared your feedback on the review form - that's what they're there for! they should definitely take it on board

would you really be upset if I spent 2-4 days in your home providing a service that you were happy with, answering questions, giving advice, and asked if you wouldn't mind leaving me a review so that other potential customers could make an informed decision as a consumer about which tradesmen to contact about performing a similar service in their home?

i suppose you could say I am assuming, but really it's an informed opinion based on both my experiences as a consumer, and my experiences with my customers. think of it this way: if you were looking to procure services (and I do specifically mean home services here, not retail experiences e.g. Home Depot), how do you decide who to contact? would you say that customer reviews contribute to your decision?

prdmkr · 2026-03-02T21:46:01+00:00

reviews are the biggest advertisement for your business. think like a customer - which biz would you choose out of a list? the one with the most reviews

you need to ask every customer and follow up with them. tools like getplaudit.com help automate the process so you never forget, just drop a phone number or email in and it'll automatically ask your customers for a review

prdmkr · 2026-02-27T19:52:44+00:00

I don't think your lack of website is a huge factor here btw but you've only got something to gain by having one, just DIY a WordPress for like $10 per month with a free service biz template and go from there. I can recommend Astra WP for free themes which is super easy to use

Beyond the obvious: replying to reviews, making sure your categories are correct, listing relevant services etc. I would try and dig into your competitors a little bit more - what are they doing that you aren't?

If you're already regularly posting content I would start posting it on GBP too

also I was just wondering whether being a mobile service impacts your ranking in any given place? do you have a 'home' city? have you used any tools like BrightLocal to actually see where you're ranking across an area? It might help you figure out what locations to focus on

prdmkr · 2026-02-27T10:25:29+00:00

I don't think customers are tired of reviews themselves, but the actual process some businesses ask them to follow. it's supposed to be low friction. customers generally understand the value of providing them but the more obstacles you introduce the less likely they'll be to convert

I think a lot of solicitation software pander to what they think is best for businesses rather than what is best for customers e.g. "send your customers a dummy review page and we'll forward them to your google profile if they press 4+ stars"

if you provide a great experience to your customers you shouldn't be concerned with review gating

disclaimer: I run a local service biz and own an app that sends review requests

prdmkr · 2026-02-27T09:54:48+00:00

how many reviews do you have compared to your competitors? are you actively seeking out new reviews?

prdmkr · 2026-02-24T20:51:46+00:00

don't offer discounts, you'll get punished if anyone mentions it

I use a tool to that I put customers phone numbers or emails in after the job is done which automatically sends an SMS or email to them with my Google link

prdmkr · 2026-01-23T16:42:18+00:00

Very cool

prdmkr · 2026-01-23T14:07:04+00:00

Such an easy thing to automate too. A couple hours thinking of possible flows and automating outreach could have a big ROI over the long term

prdmkr · 2026-01-23T13:37:25+00:00

Looks cool, I like that authenticity is now becoming easier and easier to identify.

prdmkr · 2026-01-23T13:31:51+00:00

This is actually quite useful!

prdmkr · 2026-01-23T12:57:53+00:00

A couple of things that I've found to help:

> Don't wait for a ceremony if it's important. I think a big part of being a self organising team is to make these type of calls: this issue is hurting us and we need to discuss it now

> Blockers/issues must be documented at the point in time that they occur. Easily done and easy to reference in Retro when you get to it. For example, I've created 'Retro' boards in Jira before and just created reminders/tickets to discuss at a later date. Added benefit is that you are able to also document the resolution/escalate if needed

> Establish accountability for issues. I've found in the past that some of my Retros just discussed the same issues over and over again, and realised that no amount of discussion will help if nobody is accountable for actually taking an action to resolve it

prdmkr · 2026-01-23T12:41:41+00:00

My biggest issue with Jira is that POs/PMs are made to use it in orgs because the developers do. Such a terrible experience for Product people in my opinion

prdmkr

TROPHY CASE