How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Businesses
Having a Google Business Profile doesn’t guarantee that your business will be easily found in Google Maps. If you want to stand out in search results when potential customers look for services in your area (whether it's "plumbers in Kamloops" or "landscaping in Vancouver”), you need to have a significant number of high-quality reviews and an actively managed profile.
Why Google Reviews Matter
Google Reviews serve as a powerful form of social proof. When a potential customer sees that dozens or hundreds of other people have had a positive experience with your business, it builds immediate trust. Beyond trust, reviews are a critical factor in local Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
According to industry research, review signals, including review quantity, velocity, and diversity, account for a significant portion of local SEO ranking factors.
The same research found that businesses with a high volume of positive reviews are much more likely to appear in the coveted "Local 3-Pack," which is the group of three local businesses shown at the top of Google search results alongside a map.
Appearing in this section can dramatically increase your visibility and drive more traffic to your website and physical location.
Best Practices for Getting More Reviews
You probably already know that Google reviews are valuable, but you may not be certain how you can naturally encourage your customers to leave reviews.
Ideally, you want a strategy that makes the process as frictionless as possible for your customers. Here are some proven methods to increase your review count:
Ask on the Spot
The absolute best time to ask for a review is immediately after providing a great service, while the positive experience is still fresh in the customer's mind.
Depending on how the service went, you can ask for a review before you leave the customer's premises. While not everyone will do this, we’ve found that the conversion rate for in-person requests is significantly higher than following up days or weeks later. Easiest way for getting on the spot reviews is by having them scan a QR code before you leave the premises. When a customer scans the code with their smartphone camera, it should take them directly to your Google Business Profile review page.
Other Uses of a QR Code
Another way to make leaving a review incredibly easy is to have a QR code with you, handed out in paper form, or stationed at your business.
A QR code can be affixed to the invoice or on a business card. It can be taped to your front door, or at your reception desk. At Cityline Websites, we can also help you create a printed ad or a smaller card featuring your custom QR code that is designed to look professional and aligned with your brand.
Having this physical reminder makes the ask feel more natural and provides a seamless experience for the customer.
Send a Review Link in a Follow-up Message
If you aren't able to get a review on the spot, or if the customer isn't home when you complete the work, you should always have a direct review link ready to send. You can text or email this link to people as a follow-up.
Your direct link will look something like this: https://g.page/r/xxxxxxxxx/review.
Sending this link, along with a polite, personalized message thanking them for their business, can yield excellent results.
Don't Forget to Manage Your Reviews
Generating a steady stream of reviews is a massive win, but your work doesn’t end once the review appears on your profile.
Active Google Business profile management is what transforms static reviews into a dynamic tool for building brand authority and protecting your reputation.
By staying engaged with every commenter, you show both Google and potential clients that you are an attentive, professional business owner who values customer input.
Here are 2 best practices to follow regarding managing your profile.
Always Respond
You should always respond to the reviews you receive. This applies to both good and bad reviews. When someone leaves a positive review, a simple "Thank you for your business and the kind words!" goes a long way. It shows appreciation and encourages others to leave reviews as well.
Responding to negative Google reviews is especially critical. When addressing a negative review, remain professional, calm, and empathetic. Acknowledge the customer's frustration and offer to resolve the issue offline. Potential customers pay close attention to how a business handles criticism, and a thoughtful, professional response can often mitigate the damage of a bad review.
Disputing Irrelevant Reviews
Occasionally, you may receive a review that is entirely irrelevant, fake, or violates Google's policies. In general, you do not have to simply accept these. You can dispute most irrelevant or other types of illegitimate negative reviews.
If you believe a review is fake or violates guidelines, you can often flag it within your Google Business Profile dashboard. Note that there will be some reviews from competitors or other obvious non-clients that you unfortunately cannot dispute. In that case you need to professionally word your response in a way that states you have no record of them as a client and to please contact you if you need any help (there are several ways to formulate a response).
It's important that you handle negative reviews correctly - it makes a difference in your rankings. If you ever need any assistance with the dispute / response process, feel free to ask us at Cityline Websites.
Putting in the Effort is Worth it in the Long-Run
Building a strong profile of Google Reviews is a continuous process, but the payoff in increased visibility and customer trust is well worth the effort.
By asking for reviews on the spot, utilizing QR codes, sending follow-up links, and actively managing your responses, you can significantly improve your local SEO and attract more business.
Start implementing these practices today with Cityline Websites, and watch your online presence grow.