Having a solid asking for reviews template is the difference between a sporadic trickle of Google reviews and a consistent flow that builds your ranking and reputation month on month. Most tradespeople know they should be asking for reviews. The problem is they either forget, don’t know what to say, or ask in a way that feels awkward and rarely gets a response.
This post gives you copy-paste templates you can use immediately — for text messages, emails, follow-ups, and in-person asks — along with the timing and context that make them work.
The anatomy of an asking for reviews template that gets a reply
Before the templates, it’s worth understanding why some review requests get ignored and others get replies. The elements that make a request effective:
Specificity: “Can I ask a favour?” is vague. “Would you mind leaving us a Google review?” is specific. People respond to clear requests.
Ease: The harder you make it to leave a review, the fewer people will. A direct link that takes someone straight to the review box converts at 3–5x the rate of instructions like “search for us on Google and click the reviews tab.”
Timing: Right after the job when satisfaction peaks. Not a week later. Not by email three days after you’ve left.
Personal reference: Mentioning the specific job — “glad the new bathroom is exactly what you wanted” — makes the message feel personal rather than bulk-sent. Personal messages get read; template blasts get ignored.
No pressure: A brief “no pressure at all” or “only if you have time” paradoxically increases the response rate by removing the obligation feeling.
Text message templates (with timing)
Text messages are the most effective review request format for most tradespeople — they’re read quickly, they can include a direct link, and they feel personal.
Template 1 — Immediately after job completion:
“Hi [Name], really pleased with how the [job description] turned out — cheers for having us. If you’re happy to leave a Google review, here’s the direct link: [link]. No pressure at all, but it does really help. Thanks!”
Template 2 — Same evening (for larger projects):
“Hi [Name], hope you’re happy with the [job] — let me know if there’s anything at all you need. If you get a moment, we’d love a Google review — here’s the link: [link]. Completely up to you. Thanks again for the work!”
Template 3 — For customers you have an ongoing relationship with:
“Hi [Name], just wanted to check everything’s still going well with the [job] from last week. If you haven’t already, a Google review would be massively appreciated — it helps no end for a small business. Link is here: [link]. Cheers!”
Send all three from a personal mobile number, not a generic business number — texts from a known sender get opened; texts from unknown numbers get ignored.
Email templates for bigger jobs
For larger, longer-term projects (extensions, full rewires, complete bathroom refits) where you have an email relationship with the customer, email can work well.
Template — Post-completion email:
Subject: How’s everything going? + a quick favour
“Hi [Name],
Hope you’re settling in and enjoying the [new kitchen / bathroom / heating system]. It was a pleasure working on the project — really pleased with how it came together.
Quick favour to ask: we’re a small business and Google reviews make a huge difference to how we show up when new customers search for us. If you have two minutes, would you mind leaving us a review using this link? [link]
Completely up to you, and thanks either way for choosing us.
Best,
[Your name]
[Business name]”
Template — For commercial clients:
Subject: [Business Name] — a quick favour if you have a moment
“Hi [Name],
Thank you for continuing to use [Your Business Name] — we really appreciate the ongoing work.
If you have a moment, a Google review from [their company name] would be extremely helpful for our profile. Here’s the direct link: [link]
Happy to return the favour if ever you need a recommendation.
Thanks,
[Your name]”
Adding your direct Google review link
Your Google review link takes customers directly to the review submission form — no navigation, no searching, one click. Find it here:
- Log into your Google Business Profile at business.google.com
- Look for “Get more reviews” or “Share review form” in your dashboard
- Copy the link — it looks like: g.page/[yourbusiness]/review
Save this link in your phone’s notes or text shortcuts. You want to be able to paste it instantly when you’re about to send a review request, not hunt for it every time.
How and when to ask
The timing has already been covered above, but the key principle is worth repeating: ask in person immediately after completing the job, then follow up with the text or email including the link within the next few minutes. Splitting the ask (verbal request + immediate digital link) consistently outperforms either approach alone.
Where to display them
Once you have reviews, display them prominently on your website homepage and service pages. Update them as new ones arrive — outdated reviews (even five-star ones) look like your business has gone quiet.
QR codes on invoices and vans
A QR code linked to your Google review page lets customers leave a review with a single scan — no link to copy, no searching. Generate one free at qr-code-generator.com.
Places to put it:
– Invoice footer: “Happy with the work? Scan here to leave a Google review” — with the QR code below
– Completion card: A small card handed over with the invoice specifically requesting a review
– Van rear: Visible to people following or parked near you. Less direct than the invoice, but adds another touchpoint.
Picture a Swansea decorator who puts his QR code on all invoices and completion cards for six months. His review rate doubles compared to the previous six months when he’d been verbally asking but not providing a direct route.
Polite follow-ups that don’t annoy
Not everyone leaves a review immediately, even when they intend to. A single polite follow-up a week later recovers a proportion of those intenders:
“Hi [Name], hope you’re well. Just following up on my earlier message — if you did get a chance to leave a Google review, thank you so much. If not, here’s the link again in case it’s useful: [link]. No pressure at all.”
One follow-up is fine. Two or more starts to feel like harassment. If they haven’t responded after one follow-up, let it go and focus on asking future customers.
What to avoid under Google’s rules
For guidance on what to do when you do get a negative review, see our post on how to respond to bad reviews. And for where to display the reviews you collect, see our guide on where to display reviews on your website.
Google’s review policy prohibits:
- Incentivising reviews: No “leave a review and get £10 off.” This includes gift vouchers, free services, prize draws, or any other reward for leaving a review.
- Review gating: Directing only happy customers to the review form while filtering out unhappy ones (asking “are you satisfied?” first) is against Google’s guidelines.
- Fake reviews: Asking colleagues, friends, or fake accounts to leave reviews. Google’s detection is sophisticated.
- Bulk review solicitation: Suddenly getting 20 reviews in one week after having none looks suspicious to Google and may trigger a review quality check.
The guidelines exist to keep reviews trustworthy. Follow them — not just to avoid penalties, but because genuine reviews from real customers are far more valuable anyway.
FAQs
What’s the best time to ask a customer for a Google review?
Right at the end of the job, in person, when satisfaction is highest. Then send the link by text within minutes. That combination — verbal ask + immediate digital link — consistently produces the best response rates.
How many review requests can I send at once?
There’s no official limit, but a sudden spike from 0 to 50 review requests in a week looks unnatural. A steady pace — 3–5 per week from recent jobs — is more natural and less likely to trigger Google’s review-filtering systems.
Is it okay to ask a customer twice if they haven’t replied?
One follow-up, a week after the initial request, is acceptable. After that, leave it. Some customers simply don’t do Google reviews regardless of how happy they are, and pestering them damages the relationship. For the broader review strategy including where reviews help your ranking most, see our Google reviews guide.
Want to see how your Google review profile looks to potential customers? Get a free audit — no cost, no obligation.
