Reviews – who hasn’t relied on them when choosing a product or service? With so many options available, they’re often a key factor in making the right decision. A high number of positive reviews builds trust among potential customers. That’s why, as a business owner, you should focus on getting genuine, credible feedback that can influence purchasing decisions of your potential buyers. But how do you collect Google reviews that convince users to choose your product or service? Let’s dive into five practical tips and key insights.
Why should you collect and gather Google reviews? Business benefits
Imagine you’re deciding which company to hire for a service. You have three options:
- A business with poor reviews,
- One with many positive ratings but only in the form of stars,
- And the third one that has plenty of positive and detailed reviews.
Which one would you choose?
The answer is obvious. Positive, well-written reviews make a business appear more trustworthy to potential customers. Such comments also provide a clear picture of what potential customers can expect. According to the latest Local Consumer Review Survey 2025 by BrightLocal, only 4% of buyers never read reviews before making a purchase decision. That shows just how crucial reviews are in shaping customer choices.
So, how can you effectively collect Google reviews for your business? Let’s explore a few proven strategies.
How to get reviews on your Google Business profile? 5 tips
Now that you know how important reviews are for building trust and influencing purchasing decisions of buyers, the next step is learning how to gather them effectively. What’s the best way to encourage customers to leave feedback and write reviews on your Google Business profile? Here are some practical tips to help your company stand out.
Automated email requests
After a customer completes a transaction or you’ve finished providing a service, it’s a great idea to send an automated reminder asking for a review. Contrary to what you may think, this can be highly effective. A follow-up email thanking the customer for choosing your offer and kindly requesting feedback can yield great results.
In today’s fast-paced world, taking the time to write a review, especially a positive one isn’t always top of mind. Negative reviews, on the other hand, seem to write themselves effortlessly. 😉That’s why it helps to give customers an extra nudge, such as offering a discount on their next purchase in exchange for leaving a review.
SMS reminders
When making a purchase or booking an appointment, customers often provide their phone number – so why not use it like email? Setting up an automated text message reminding them to leave a review can be just as effective.
You can also sweeten the deal by offering a small discount on their next purchase as a thank-you for their feedback.
Requesting reviews on social media
Every few months, it’s a good idea to publish social media posts (on various platforms) with a direct link encouraging users to write a Google review. Try to remind your followers how important their feedback is.
Keep in mind that each platform reaches a different audience, so make sure to use all the social media channels where your business has a presence. Include an eye-catching graphic in your post to grab users’ attention and try to convince them to share their thoughts about your services.
Traditional methods – ask for reviews directly after a purchase or service
There’s no more effective way to collect reviews than by simply asking customers for them right after they complete a purchase or use your service. If you see that a customer is happy, gently remind them of the option to leave a review.
You can also reach out to loyal, repeat customers who haven’t shared their feedback yet. Encourage them to share what they love about your business and why they keep coming back. These kinds of reviews are not only genuine but also the most trustworthy and authentic.
QR code on business cards
Sticking with traditional methods, consider adding a QR code linking directly to your Google My Business profile to your store or salon’s business card. Flyers, posters, and business cards – anything easily accessible to customers – can boost your chances of getting more reviews.
How to generate a direct link and QR code to a Google My Business profile? A step-by-step guide
To generate a direct link that redirects users to adding Google reviews, log into your business profile and navigate to the “Request a review” section:
Once you’re in that section, you’ll get a short link that, when pasted into a browser, will take users directly to the review submission page:
There, you’ll also find a generated QR code, which you can use and place anywhere to guide users straight to the review page:
Fishy ways of collecting reviews
Positive reviews are crucial because they help guide customers in their purchasing decisions. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that these reviews should be genuine and should come from people who have actually interacted with your business.
According to Google’s guidelines, asking individuals who have never made a purchase or used your service to write positive reviews is against the rules. Such reviews aren’t based on real experiences and therefore constitute an unethical practice. Recently, Google has been cracking down on verifying reviews, and those obtained through dishonest methods or that appear fake are being removed. It’s always better to maintain integrity and allow users to express their true opinions, rather than buying reviews that don’t reflect reality and look fishy.
My business has many Google reviews – and what now?
Whether your customer leaves a positive or negative review about your product or service, it’s important to respond. Replying to reviews on a regular basis not only sends a positive signal to Google, helping your business rank higher on Google Maps, but it also contributes to a better overall customer experience.
Moreover, engaging with reviews can be the deciding factor for potential customers, as confirmed by the survey results from BrightLocal mentioned earlier in this article.
How to ensure positive reviews on your Google My Business profile?
Honest and reliable reviews about your product or service are invaluable. Naturally, everyone would prefer to gather only positive feedback. As for the less flattering comments, it’s best if they’re kept to a minimum.
To encourage positive reviews, focus on delivering high-quality services. If negative feedback does come in, treat it as a valuable opportunity to improve your offerings. Respond to all reviews, whether they praise you or offer constructive criticism. It’s a great chance to build a relationship with each customer, no matter their opinion of your business.
Key takeaways
Google My Business reviews are a powerful way to establish your brand as reliable and trustworthy. Focus on delivering top-quality services and products, and then do your best to gather positive feedback from your customers. And how can you encourage people to write reviews on your Google profile?
Use a blend of both traditional and modern methods – automated email and SMS reminders, social media channels and QR codes are a great starting point. Don’t forget to respond to all reviews, no matter the tone. Regularly checking and responding to reviews helps build strong customer relationships and shows that your business genuinely cares.
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