How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Sounding Desperate)

taryn
Apr 30
5 min read

Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever

Imagine you’re a homeowner in Elizabeth, NJ, looking for someone to power wash your driveway. You search “pressure washing near me” and see five listings.

One has 68 five-star reviews. One has 4 reviews.The others? None.

You already know who’s getting the click.

That’s the power of Google reviews—especially for local, service-based businesses.

90% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions. Google reviews are the first ones they see.

For small service pros like laundromats, floor installers, cleaning companies, or “two guys in a truck” operations, reviews are everything. They:

Build instant trust
Improve your Google ranking
Drive more traffic to your business
Increase conversions from searchers to customers

But asking for reviews can feel awkward or like begging—especially when you're trying to juggle jobs, invoices, and phone calls.

So how do you get more 5-star reviews without sounding desperate?

That’s what we’re diving into in this post.

Step 1: Deliver a “Review-Worthy” Experience

Let’s be real—no one’s leaving a review for a business that just “did the job.” People leave reviews when something stands out.

To increase your odds, build “review moments” into your service:

Show up 5 minutes early
Leave the space cleaner than you found it
Send a text when you’re on the way
Give them a small tip or bonus
Follow up afterward to check how things turned out

Page 2 Tip: You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be personal. The easier you make it for someone to like you, the more likely they’ll write about you.

Step 2: Ask at the Right Time

Timing is everything. The best time to ask for a review is when:

The customer is happy
The job is freshly completed
You’re still top-of-mind

Don't ask:

Weeks later
During an unrelated complaint
By dropping a vague “Hey if you have a sec…” line

Do ask:

Right after they say “thank you”
When they compliment your work
In a follow-up text the same day

Example:

“Thanks again for choosing us! If you were happy with everything, we’d be super grateful if you left a quick review—it really helps a small business like ours.”[Insert your Google review link here]

Step 3: Make It Easy

The biggest reason people don’t leave reviews?

“I didn’t know where to go.”

So take away every excuse. Make it simple:

Use your Google review link (not just your business name)
Include it in your:
- Texts
- Email signatures
- Business cards
- Website footer
- Social media bios
- Flyers or invoices

How to find your review link:

Open your Google Business Profile
Click “Ask for Reviews”
Copy the short URL provided
Save it somewhere you can copy/paste in seconds

Step 4: Use a “Review Request Script”

If you feel weird asking, use a script you can tweak to sound natural.

Here are a few examples for service pros:

For In-Person Jobs

“Hey, it was great working with you! If you have 30 seconds, would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It helps people find us, and I’d really appreciate it.”

For Text or Email

“Thank you again! If you were happy with the job, we’d love if you left us a Google review. It only takes a minute and helps us out a ton! Here’s the link: [Insert link]”

For Repeat Clients

“You’ve been such a great customer—thank you! Would you be open to sharing your experience on Google? It means a lot to our small team.”

Bonus Tip: Add a thank-you message after they leave a review. Gratitude goes a long way.

Step 5: Create a System (Not a One-Off)

The secret to consistently getting reviews? Don’t wing it.

Build review requests into your workflow:

End-of-job checklist? Include a review ask.
Automated text follow-up? Include a review link.
Invoice? Add a “PS” line about reviews.

Page 2 Media clients get branded “Review Request Cards” and prewritten follow-up messages to make this process repeatable.

Step 6: Respond to Every Review (Yes, Even the Bad Ones)

Google loves when businesses engage with reviews. Responding to every review:

Shows potential customers that you care
Signals to Google that your business is active
Can help turn a negative experience into a positive one

Example Responses:

5-Star Review:

“Thanks so much, Jasmine! We’re thrilled you loved the new flooring. Hope it looks amazing for years to come!”

3-Star Review:

“Thanks for the feedback, Tom. We’re always looking to improve and appreciate you giving us a shot.”

1-Star Review (real or fake):

“We’re sorry to hear this, and would love to talk more. Please give us a call—we take customer satisfaction seriously.”

Never argue or get emotional in public responses. Keep it cool and kind.

Step 7: Turn Reviews Into Marketing Content

Your reviews don’t just sit on Google—they can be repurposed everywhere:

Turn them into Instagram graphics
Create a “Review of the Week” post
Use them on your homepage or landing pages
Add screenshots to highlight stories in Reels
Drop them into email newsletters

At Page 2 Media, we turn your reviews into branded, ready-to-post content that builds credibility.

Pro Tip: Avoid These Common Review Mistakes

Don’t fake reviews. Google will flag you. So will customers.
Don’t offer money or gifts in exchange for reviews. It’s against policy.
Don’t forget to say thank you. It’s just good business.
Don’t overwhelm clients with a long ask. Short and sweet wins.

What a Healthy Review Profile Looks Like

Wondering how many reviews is “enough”? It depends on your local competition, but here’s a rough guide:

Business Size	Goal
New business	10+ reviews within 3 months
Established business	50+ total, with 3+ new per month
Competitive market	100+ reviews and regular updates