How to Collect More Client Reviews

Service-based businesses thrive on reviews. While asking for a 5-star review can be a little awkward, it is so important to continuously collect up-to-date reviews to stay relevant on Google. Did you know that Google reviews also help your SEO ranking? It’s a win on all fronts! Here is how to get more Google reviews for your business!

How to Find your Google Review Link

Before you can ask for more Google reviews, first find your link to your Google My Business page. To copy your review link to share with customers:

1. Go to google.com/business
2. Sign In to your account
3. You will be redirected to your profile, which looks like the Google results page
4. Click on Get More Reviews in the right-side panel
5. Copy the review link provided

How to Get More Google Reviews

Create an automated email

This is the number one way I have collected Google reviews consistently for my business. In my client management system (I use Dubsado), I set up a canned email that I add to all of my automated workflows. Clients receive this email about 2 weeks after I complete my services with them.

Here is the exact email template I use to prompt these reviews! As you can see, it’s short, sweet, and to the point! I’ve found it does the trick!

Hi CLIENT NAME,

I just wanted to drop you a note saying how much I appreciate you choosing me to capture your photos, and I hope you are loving them! As a small business owner, I am always looking to improve and grow, and your feedback is invaluable in helping me and my business! If you would take a few moments to leave a review on Google, Facebook, or both, I would be extremely grateful! Reviews help others find my business and builds trust in my services, and I would love to hear what you thought.

INCLUDE LINK TO YOUR GOOGLE REVIEW PAGE HERE

I greatly appreciate you taking the time!

Thanks,
Rachel  

Do a giveaway!

If you want to play catch-up and collect a lot of Google reviews in a short timeframe, do a giveaway in exchange for client reviews. Email your past clients or post on social media asking clients to leave you a review on Google in a specific timeframe (I recommend about one week). Then, choose one lucky winner from your new reviews! This can be a great way to incentivize new reviews. However, be careful not to use this too much. For SEO purposes, Google would rather see consistent reviews show up throughout the year rather than seeing a huge number of reviews come in in a short timeframe.

Offer a discount incentive

If your business is new, you may consider offering a discount up front to a new client in exchange for testimonials. When I’ve launched new services, I often find 1-2 Beta clients who are willing to be my “guinea pigs” in exchange for a positive Google review. Then, I can use these testimonials on my website when I launch as well! The amount of discount you offer is up to you. I’ve done up to 50% off at times, but do what you feel is fair in exchange for a review.

Share on Instagram

This is simple and may be the least effective, but it’s worth a shot! Post a nice client review you’ve received in the past on an Instagram Story. Then, on the next Story slide, ask other clients for reviews and include a link sticker to your Google review page. This small reminder can be all a client needs to go leave a quick review, especially if they loved working with you!

Conclusion

Google reviews are imperative for service-based businesses and can greatly improve your Google rankings. Hopefully these ideas of how to get more Google reviews are effective for you! Let me know in the comments which methods work best for you!