Blog
How To Leadership

Succeeding in business has changed a whole lot in the past few decades or so. It’s no longer enough just to do great work. You need to leverage digital channels to promote it. 

But here’s the catch. Anyone can create a website or Facebook profile. They can say they’re the very best contractor in your area. 

Will people believe them? Maybe, but maybe not. Your target audience is savvy. 

That’s why they look for cold, hard evidence that your work and service are as high-quality as you claim. And for this reason, Google reviews are hugely powerful. 

How do you get more Google reviews? This guide will equip you with 7 strategies. 

But first, we’ll explore how these testimonials can impact your business for the better. We’ll explain how to optimize your Google Business Profile, too. 

Then, we’ll share our top strategies before closing with 3 tips you can follow today. 

8 in 10 consumers in the US search for a local business weekly. Building a strategic approach to getting more reviews is well worth your time. Let’s get started! 

How Google Reviews Impact Your Business 

Ever heard of social proof? It’s a way to back up your claims. 

You can rave about how talented your team is. You can even showcase the best work on your website. 

But prospects may not be 100% convinced. After all, of course you’re going to say your contractor business is great. 

They want to hear from your past customers. They want the unbiased truth. 

If your reviews support your promises, prospects will be more likely to believe them. This translates into more business. 

In short, Google reviews establish credibility and build trust. These are two very important parts of winning business in the home contractor industry. 

The benefits don’t end there either. 

  • Google reviews contribute to business growth. A huge 81% of buyers read Google reviews. That means the majority of your target audience checks reviews before taking action. More reviews mean more leads. More leads mean more jobs. And more jobs give you the resources to grow. 
  • Google reviews help you stand out from the competition. Think about it like this. If you were going to take your car to a mechanic, would you choose the company with two 3-star reviews? Or would you go for the mechanic with 20 4- and 5-star reviews? It’s a no-brainer. 

How to Optimize Your Google My Business Profile 

You’re convinced that you need more Google reviews. So, how do you get them? The very first step is claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile. 

This is your free business listing on Google. Without it, your customers can’t leave a review. 

If you already have a Google Business listing, you can skip ahead. But if you don’t, you’ll need to prove that you own the business. You can do this through a few verification methods. 

Once you have ownership, it’s time to optimize your profile. Here’s how: 

  • Make sure all the information is up-to-date and complete. An old phone number means lost business and frustrated would-be customers. Incorrect business hours can confuse prospects. Missing details can push a Google searcher toward a competitor. So take the time to double-check your details. It’s a smart move to make this a habit, too. 
  • Add high-quality images. But don’t use stock photos. Prospects can see right through that. Instead, take a few snaps of your completed projects. Luckily, phone cameras are good enough these days. Get your team involved too—they’d be happy to contribute an image or two of work they’re proud of. 
  • Include relevant keywords in your business description. Add them to any posts you publish too. This helps Google understand what your business offers. It boosts your SEO efforts, which means more visibility. 
  • Engage your customers where possible. Google Business isn’t exactly a social network. But it can still be a place to highlight your commitment to excellent service. For example, you might respond to both positive and negative reviews. This shows that you care about customer feedback. 
  • Format your name, address, and phone number (NAP) in the same way as other online directories. Let’s say your business is called HomePlus. If you write it as “HomePlus” without a space on Facebook and Yelp, do the same on Google. If you write it as “Home Plus” on Google, search engines might see your listings as separate and unrelated businesses. This is bad for SEO. 

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: A Business Owner’s Guide to Responding to Negative Customer Reviews 

Strategies to Get More Google Reviews 

You want to get more Google reviews. There are 2 ways to go about it: 

  1. First, you can earn them. This should be your priority. 
  2. Second, you can request them. This is a great supportive approach that nudges happy customers to share their experiences. 

The strategies below are a mix of both. Here’s what to do: 

Strategy 1: Back Up Great Work with Exceptional Service 

The very best way to get someone to review your business is to give them something to talk about. In other words, to deliver a service so great that they are compelled to tell the world all about it. 

What do customers value? 

  • High-quality work that meets their expectations, budget, and timeline 
  • A seamless experience from start to finish 
  • Clear and consistent communication throughout the project 
  • Clean, tidy, and professional workers who are a pleasure to deal with 
  • Personalized service that caters to their specific needs, wants, and challenges 
  • The willingness to listen to feedback and address concerns 

Achieve the above, and you’re one step closer to more Google reviews. 

Strategy 2: Send Personalized Follow-Ups 

Personalizing your follow-up requests can make a big difference. In fact, 89% of marketers report better results when they personalize their communication. 

Your customers want to feel valued. They want to know you’re paying attention to them. 

Sending a generic “Hi there” or “Dear valued customer” can feel cold and impersonal. Clients might be turned off immediately. 

Here’s what personalization can look like in practice: 

  • Use their name. 
  • Mention the service you provided. 
  • Add a personal touch, like bringing up an anecdote. For example, “I hope the new puppy is settling in well!” 
  • Include a clear, relevant call to action (CTA). Add a link to your Google Business Profile. 
  • Thank them for their time, and offer them the chance to reach out if they need anything at all. 

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Follow Up on an Estimate (with Email Templates) 
 

Strategy 3: Automate Review Requests with Software 

Automation can handle the tedious, repetitive tasks. It can save you time. And it can make sure important things like asking for reviews don’t get pushed to the back burner when you get busy. 

But proceed with caution. Automation can make it tricky to personalize your message. So, look for creative ways to make the text feel warm and personable. 

For example, many email platforms offer “merge tags.” These add in details about the client automatically. For example, you can use a name tag to address them by name. In Mailchimp, this tag is: *|FNAME|*. 

There are also integrated options to consider. Joist, for example, collects reviews within the app that’s already helping you manage estimates, invoices, payments, and projects. 

Strategy 4: Get Your Timing Just Right 

Timing is everything. Ask too soon after the job, and the client might feel pressured. Ask too late, and they may have forgotten the details of the project. 

The sweet spot is about 72 hours after you finish the job. By then, the dust has settled. It gives your client enough time to reflect on the work. 

Remember, you want reviews to be detailed and tell a story. You don’t want reviews that just say, “Did a great job, thanks!” 

Strategy 5: Incentivize Reviews 

Leaving a detailed review takes time. Offering a small incentive can encourage your clients. 

In your follow-up email or text, mention that you’d love their feedback and that you’ll offer something in return. Here are a few ideas: 

  • A discount on future services 
  • A gift card to a local restaurant 
  • A small donation to a charity in their name (if that fits your business values) 

Be careful, though. You don’t want to come across as “buying” reviews. 

The incentive should be a small token of appreciation. It shouldn’t be something so valuable that it feels like you’re paying for their feedback. 

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Reduce Late Payments for Contractors 

Strategy 6: Make the Process Quick and Easy 

Your clients are busy. If they have to search for your Google review page, the odds are they won’t do it. 

Make it as simple as possible for them to leave a review. Here’s how: 

  • Always include a direct link to your Google review page in emails and texts. 
  • Add a QR code to your handover materials. You can create one for free using a tool like Canva’s QR code generator. 

Don’t know where your Google review link is? Here’s how to find it: 

  1. Search for your business on Google. 
  2. Click on the button that says “Write a review.” 
  3. Copy the URL in your browser and use that as your review link. 

Strategy 7: Leverage Social Media 

Social media posts can remind customers that you have a Google review page. You can also use social platforms to promote the incentives you’re offering. 

Don’t overdo it—spamming can hurt your engagement. 

Here are some ideas for leveraging social media: 

  • Post a reminder every few weeks about leaving a review. Include the link to your Google page. 
  • Share some of your favorite reviews on your social platforms. 

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Get More Google Reviews: 5 Strategies for Success 
 

3 Tips to Get More Google Reviews and Boost Your Business Today 

It’s time to get down to business. Here’s how you can start attracting more Google reviews and boost your contractor business right now: 

  • Add one photo or post to your Google Business Profile. Adding fresh content is a green flag in Google’s eyes. So take 5 minutes now to publish a photo or post. 
  • Reimagine your follow-up process. Grab a pen and paper. Map out your current follow-up process. Does it include an email or text? How long after the service? How is it sent out? Is there an opportunity to further personalize your approach? What about automation? 
  • Choose 3 of your best Google reviews. Add them to the home page of your website. This is social proof for anyone who visits. You can even publish them on social media or on printed marketing materials.