You just finished a great job. Customer's happy, paid in full, everything went smooth. You know you should ask for a Google review, but... it feels awkward. You don't want to be that guy.
So you don't ask. And neither does your competitor. And neither does the other guy.
Meanwhile, the business with 47 Google reviews is getting all the calls—even though you do better work.
Here's how to get more reviews without feeling like a used car salesman.
Why Reviews Actually Matter
Before we get into the "how," let's talk about why this matters:
93% of customers read reviews before hiring a trades professional. If you've got 3 reviews and your competitor has 30, guess who they're calling?
Google also uses review count and ratings in their ranking algorithm. More reviews = higher rankings = more visibility = more customers. It's a flywheel.
The good news? Most plumbers, electricians, and HVAC contractors in Simcoe County have fewer than 10 reviews. You don't need 100. You need 20-30 solid reviews to dominate your local market.
The Wrong Way to Ask
Let me show you what NOT to do:
❌ "Can you leave me a 5-star review on Google?"
❌ Offering discounts for reviews (violates Google's policy)
❌ Writing reviews for customers (also violates policy and is obvious)
❌ Asking every single customer randomly with no system
These approaches either break rules, feel desperate, or get ignored because there's no follow-through.
The Right Way: Make It Easy and Natural
1. Only Ask Happy Customers
This sounds obvious, but hear me out. Don't ask everyone. Ask people who:
- Said something positive during or after the job
- Paid without complaint
- Referred you to someone else
- Reached out to thank you
If someone nickel-and-dimed you the whole time or complained about pricing, skip them. You want quality reviews, not quantity from people who were barely satisfied.
2. Ask at the Right Moment
The best time to ask is when they express satisfaction.
When a customer says "Wow, that looks great!" or "Thanks so much, you really saved us," that's your moment:
You're not begging. You're not bribing. You're asking someone who already expressed happiness to share that publicly.
3. Send a Follow-Up Text or Email
Don't rely on the in-person ask alone. People forget. Send a follow-up within 24 hours:
Text Template:
Email Template:
Hi [Name],
Thanks for choosing [Business Name] for your recent [service]. We hope everything is working perfectly!
If you have a couple of minutes, we'd really appreciate if you could share your experience on Google. Your feedback helps other homeowners in [city] know what to expect when working with us.
[Leave a Review Button/Link]
Thanks again!
[Your Name]
[Business Name]
[Phone]
4. Make It Stupid Simple
The biggest reason people don't leave reviews? It's too much work to figure out how.
Don't make them search for your business on Google. Send them a direct review link that takes them straight to the review form.
How to get your review link:
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Click "Get more reviews" (or search "Google review link generator")
- Copy your unique review link
- Save it somewhere you can easily copy/paste
Put this link in your text messages, emails, and anywhere else you're asking for reviews.
5. Have a System
This is the difference between businesses with 5 reviews and businesses with 50 reviews: a system.
Your system should be:
- Finish job
- If customer is happy, ask in person
- Send follow-up text/email within 24 hours
- If no review after 3 days, send one gentle reminder
- Move on (don't harass them)
Track this in a simple spreadsheet or your phone notes. "Asked for review: Yes/No. Sent follow-up: Yes/No."
What About Negative Reviews?
They happen. Even to the best businesses. Here's what to do:
Don't ignore them. Respond professionally within 24-48 hours.
Template for responding to negative reviews:
Even if you can't fix it, a professional response shows future customers that you care and take feedback seriously.
The "Past Customer" Strategy
Don't forget about customers from the past 1-2 years. You can reach out to them too:
Past Customer Template:
You'd be surprised how many people are happy to help—they just never thought to leave a review unprompted.
What Google Doesn't Allow
Let's be clear about what violates Google's review policy:
❌ Offering discounts or incentives for reviews
❌ Offering incentives only for positive reviews
❌ Writing reviews for customers
❌ Paying for reviews
❌ Using review-generating services that create fake reviews
❌ Leaving reviews from work computers (Google flags these)
Breaking these rules can get your reviews removed and your Google Business Profile penalized. Not worth it.
How Many Reviews Do You Actually Need?
You don't need 500 reviews. Here's what's realistic and effective for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC contractors in Simcoe County:
- 10-15 reviews: You're ahead of 50% of your competitors
- 20-30 reviews: You look established and trustworthy
- 40+ reviews: You dominate your local market
Aim for 2-4 new reviews per month. That's 24-48 reviews per year. Within 12-18 months, you'll have more reviews than 90% of local trades businesses.
Bottom Line
Getting reviews isn't about being pushy. It's about:
- Asking happy customers at the right time
- Making it easy with a direct link
- Following up once or twice
- Having a system so it happens consistently
Most trades businesses get stuck at 3-5 reviews because they don't have a process. You do great work—make sure people know about it.
Want Help Setting Up Review Systems That Work?
I help plumbers, electricians, and HVAC contractors in Simcoe County build their online reputation and get found on Google.
Get Started FreeOr call: 705-345-7441
Ryan Suter
Simcoe Digital Boost
Orillia, Ontario