Getting more reviews can deliver serious value for your business. They boost your local SEO, build trust with potential customers, and give you real feedback to improve your operations. But here's the thing: most businesses aren't making the most of their online reputation.
You probably know reviews matter. The tricky part is actually getting them. How do you get customers to take time out of their day to write about your business?
It's easier than you think. Here are five steps that work.
Your employees naturally resist change. This is normal human behavior. When that change pushes them out of their comfort zone, the resistance gets stronger. Asking customers for reviews might make some employees uncomfortable.
You need to motivate them to actually do it.
Money works. If you have budget available, set some aside for bonuses when employees participate in your review program. Base your incentives on activities like:
This creates real motivation. Your employees see immediate benefit from participating. They'll start asking for reviews because it helps their paycheck.
Timing determines whether customers actually leave reviews. There isn't one perfect time for every business, but you want to catch them before they leave your location.
Here's why this matters: customers respond better when the experience is fresh in their mind.
A car dealership might ask when the sale is finished and the customer waits for financing. A dental practice could ask right after the doctor sees the patient. A restaurant might ask when customers pay their bill.
Think about your customer journey. Find that moment when they're satisfied but still present. That's your window.
The key is consistency. Pick your timing and stick to it. Train your team to recognize these moments and act on them.
The most successful review programs don't rely on employees remembering to ask. They build the request into multiple steps of the sales process.
Give your employees scripts. When they ask customers for reviews, they should explain:
Here's an example script: "Thank you for your business. Customer feedback helps us serve people better. Can I send you a text message with a link to leave a review? It takes about two minutes and we'd really appreciate it."
Make this part of your standard procedure. When asking becomes routine, your employees get comfortable with it. Over time, it becomes second nature.
Not all review sites work for every business. The platforms that matter for an HVAC company won't be the same ones that matter for a restaurant.
Do your research. Find out where your customers actually look for businesses like yours.
Google and Facebook work for most businesses. They're popular and most customers already have accounts. This makes leaving reviews easier.
But don't stop there. Look for industry-specific sites your customers use. A lawyer might focus on Avvo. A contractor might prioritize Angie's List or HomeAdvisor. A restaurant should definitely be on Yelp.
Having reviews across multiple platforms builds credibility. It shows search engines and potential customers that you're legitimate and active.
Here's what to consider when choosing platforms:
Create accounts on the platforms that matter. Then focus your efforts on getting reviews there.
If you're tracking reviews with spreadsheets, you're making this harder than it needs to be. Review management tools streamline everything and make the process easier for everyone involved.
Good software solves two problems:
First, it makes sending invitations simple for your employees. They don't need to remember multiple steps or dig up customer contact information. The system handles the technical stuff.
Second, it makes leaving reviews easier for customers. Instead of hunting down your business page and figuring out how to leave a review, they get a direct link that takes them exactly where they need to go.
Look for software that:
The right tool turns review collection from a manual, time-consuming process into something that runs automatically.
These steps work because they address the real reasons businesses struggle with reviews:
Employee resistance: Incentives give your team reason to participate.
Bad timing: Asking at the right moment increases response rates.
Inconsistent process: Scripts and procedures ensure everyone asks the same way.
Wrong platforms: Targeting the right sites puts your reviews where customers will see them.
Manual processes: Software automates the boring stuff so you can focus on results.
Pick one step and implement it this week. Don't try to do everything at once.
If your employees aren't asking for reviews consistently, start with scripts and incentives. If you're asking but not getting responses, look at your timing. If you're getting reviews but they're scattered across random sites, focus on targeting the right platforms.
The goal is building a system that runs itself. Once you have that, reviews become a consistent source of new business instead of something you hope happens occasionally.
Your online reputation affects every potential customer who finds your business online. The time you spend building a review system pays off in better search rankings, more trust, and ultimately more customers walking through your door.
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