Google reviews: why they matter and how to ask

Google reviews are one of the most powerful tools for small businesses—but most business owners don't ask for them.

Here's why reviews matter and how to get more without feeling pushy.

Why Google reviews matter

Reviews do three important things for your business:

1. They build trust

People trust other customers more than they trust your marketing. A business with 50 five-star reviews looks more credible than one with zero reviews.

2. They help your local SEO

Google uses reviews as a ranking factor. More reviews (especially recent ones) help you rank higher in local searches.

3. They influence decisions

Studies show that most people read reviews before choosing a business. If you don't have reviews, you're losing customers to competitors who do.

How many reviews do you need?

There's no magic number, but here's a rough guide:

• 10-20 reviews: You start looking legitimate
• 20-50 reviews: You look established and trustworthy
• 50+ reviews: You're a local authority

The key is consistency. It's better to get 2-3 new reviews per month than to get 20 reviews once and then stop.

How to ask for reviews

Most business owners feel awkward asking for reviews. Here's how to make it easy:

1. Ask at the right time

The best time to ask is right after you've delivered great service. The customer is happy and the experience is fresh.

2. Make it easy

Send a direct link to your Google review page. Don't make customers search for you.

You can get your Google review link from your Google Business Profile dashboard.

3. Ask in person, via text, or via email

After a job or service, say:

"If you're happy with the work we did, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? Here's the link: [your link]"

You can also send a follow-up text or email a day or two later.

4. Don't overthink it

You're not being pushy—you're giving happy customers an easy way to help you. Most people are happy to leave a review if you ask.

What to do with negative reviews

You'll eventually get a negative review. It happens to everyone. Here's how to handle it:

1. Respond quickly and professionally

Thank them for the feedback, apologize if appropriate, and offer to make it right.

2. Don't get defensive

Even if the review is unfair, stay calm and professional. Your response is public—other customers are watching.

3. Move on

One negative review won't hurt you if you have plenty of positive ones. Focus on getting more good reviews instead of obsessing over the bad one.

Can you remove negative reviews?

Only if they violate Google's policies (spam, fake reviews, offensive content). You can report them, but Google rarely removes them.

Your best strategy is to bury bad reviews with good ones.

How to display reviews on your website

We can add a Google reviews section to your website that automatically pulls in your latest reviews and star rating.

This builds trust and shows visitors that real people love your business.

Bottom line

Google reviews are free marketing. They build trust, improve your SEO, and help you win more customers.

Start asking today. Make it easy. Be consistent. You'll be surprised how fast your reviews grow.

Need help setting up Google Business or adding reviews to your website? We can help. ```