TL;DR
Do this to get more Google reviews without it feeling awkward:
- Ask right after the job when the customer is happy or within a few hours.
- Send a short SMS with a direct Google review link
- Keep it simple: thank them, ask for a quick review, and include the link.
Make it easier for customers to follow through:
- Use a one-tap link
- Add a QR code to invoices, business cards, or job completion forms.
Stay safe and professional:
- Suggest topics they can mention, but don’t script their review.
- Don’t offer discounts/freebies in exchange for reviews.
- If there’s a problem, fix it first, then ask once they’re satisfied.
- Reply to reviews to build trust and encourage more over time.
If you’ve ever wrapped up a job, packed up the ute, and thought, I should ask for a Google review… then immediately felt a bit awkward about it, you’re not alone.
The good news is that most customers are genuinely happy to leave a review when you make it easy and ask at the right moment. Reviews aren’t about begging for compliments. They’re about giving future customers the confidence to choose you. For tradies in Australia, that matters because people are usually comparing a few businesses that look similar, and they’ll often pick the one that feels more trusted.
This guide will walk you through how to ask customers for Google reviews in a way that feels natural, stays compliant, and works in the real world. You’ll also see the best way to get Google reviews for tradies without chasing people endlessly.
When’s the best time to ask for a Google review after a job?
Timing beats wording. The easiest reviews come when the customer has that fresh feeling of relief or satisfaction. The tap is quick when the experience is still top of mind.
For many tradies, the best moment is right at the end, when you’re doing the handover, and the customer is looking at the finished work. If they say they’re happy, that’s your green light. If you miss that window, the next best time is soon after you leave, while they’re still thinking about it and before the rest of their day gets noisy.
There are also a couple of “hidden” review moments that work well. One is after you’ve handled a callback quickly and professionally. Another is that after a payment is made, especially for larger jobs, it’s a clear endpoint in the customer’s mind.
The main thing is to avoid waiting a week and hoping they remember. People don’t leave reviews because they’re mean or lazy. They don’t leave reviews because they’re busy and the job fades into the background.
How do I ask in person without it feeling awkward?
In-person asks don’t need a speech. In fact, the more you talk, the weirder it can feel. One simple sentence works because it sounds confident and normal.
A good in-person request usually has three parts: a thank you, a quick ask, and a promise that you’ll make it easy. Tradies who do well with reviews often treat it like asking a customer to confirm a detail. Calm, friendly, and no pressure.
Here are a few simple lines you can use and adjust to your own style:
- Thanks again for today. If you’ve got a minute later, a quick Google review really helps us. I can text you the link.
- Glad you’re happy with it. If you get a chance, would you mind leaving us a Google review? It helps a lot with local work.
- We rely a lot on word of mouth. If you reckon we did a good job, a quick Google review would be awesome. I’ll send the link through.
The “I’ll text the link” line matters because it removes the awkward part where they have to remember your business name and hunt you down later.
What’s the best way to ask by SMS, and what should I say?
For most trade businesses, SMS is the simplest channel. Customers read it quickly, and if the link is right there, they can tap and do it in under a minute.
The biggest mistake is sending a long message that sounds like marketing. You’re not writing an ad. You’re asking for a small favour after a real service. Keep it short, clear, and friendly.
A strong SMS has gratitude, a simple request, and the link. That’s it.
A few copy-paste options:
- Thanks again for having us out today. If you’ve got a minute, could you leave a quick Google review? It helps heaps. Review link: [link]
- Really appreciate your time today. If you’re happy with the job, a Google review would mean a lot. Review link: [link]
- Thanks for choosing us. If you can spare 60 seconds, could you leave a quick Google review here: [link]
If you want better results, send it when they’re more likely to be relaxed. Late afternoon and early evening often work well for residential jobs, because that’s when people are scrolling their phone anyway.
How do I ask by email without it getting ignored?
Email works best when the customer is already the type who checks email for admin. Think property managers, strata, commercial clients, and some higher-value residential projects. It can also work when you’re sending a job completion email anyway.
But email only works if it’s short. Customers don’t want a big explanation. They want a single action and a link.
A clean email structure is:
- A subject line that says what the email is about
- A short thank you
- The link near the top
- A friendly sign off
Example subject lines:
- Quick favour after today’s job
- Could you leave a quick Google review?
- Thanks again, a review would help heaps
How do I make leaving a review dead easy?
This is where most tradies lose reviews without realising it. Customers may genuinely want to help, but if they have to search for you, pick the right listing, find the reviews section, and then sign in, you’ll lose them.
The best approach is to use a direct review link from your Google Business Profile. That link takes them straight to the review screen. No searching. No guessing.
QR codes can also work well for trade businesses, because they suit the way you operate. They’re great on invoices, on the back of a business card, or on something the customer is already looking at.
Places where a QR code can work:
- Invoice and quote templates
- Business card
- Fridge magnet
- Job completion form or handover sheet
- Simple signage at your counter if you have a workshop
The aim is always the same: make the review feel like one tap, not a chore.
How do I get customers to write better reviews without telling them what to write?
A lot of customers freeze when they see the blank review box. They might think they need to write an essay. Or they don’t know what’s helpful. That’s why you’ll often get very short reviews, even when the customer loved the service.
You can help by giving them a couple of prompts, but you want to avoid scripting their words. Reviews need to be genuine, and the ACCC guidance focuses on reviews not being misleading and reflecting real experiences.
Instead of telling them what to say, suggest what they could mention. That makes it easier for them to write something useful, and it keeps it natural.
Helpful prompt line you can add to your SMS or email:
“If you’re not sure what to write, you could mention what we helped with, whether we were on time, and how the place was left.”
That’s enough. It gives them direction without putting words in their mouth.
Should I ask every customer, or only the really happy ones?
The best review profiles usually come from consistent systems, not random bursts. When you only ask sometimes, your review flow becomes unpredictable. You’ll go quiet for weeks, then suddenly get a few. That doesn’t help your reputation as much as steady feedback does.
A good approach is to make it part of your standard close-out. Job done, customer happy, request goes out. Same way every time.
That also keeps you on the right side of good practice. The aim isn’t to cherry-pick the perfect reviews. It’s to collect genuine feedback from real customers as a normal part of business.
There will always be exceptions. If a job is still in dispute, if there’s an unresolved problem, or if the customer is clearly unhappy, that’s not the moment to ask, which leads nicely into the next points.
Can I offer discounts, freebies, or cash to get more Google reviews?
It’s not worth the risk. Paying for reviews, or offering incentives in exchange for reviews, can create biased or misleading feedback and can breach platform rules.
Google’s policy around user-contributed content includes restrictions relating to fake engagement and incentivised content.
Google also has guidance around Business Profile restrictions and policy enforcement.
Even if a customer is honest, incentives muddy the waters and can make your reviews look less trustworthy.
If you want a more sustainable approach, focus on what actually drives reviews long term: clean job sites, clear communication, showing up when you said you would, and leaving customers feeling looked after. People review experiences that stand out.
If you do run promos, keep them separate from reviews. For example, a seasonal offer or a referral reward is fine when it’s not dependent on someone leaving a public review.
What if a customer had a complaint or seemed unsure, should I still ask?
If there’s a complaint, the review request comes later, not now.
The smartest move is to treat the complaint as an opportunity to show professionalism. Fix the issue quickly, communicate clearly, and make sure they feel heard. Once that’s done and they’re genuinely satisfied, you can invite them to share their experience.
Handled well, these situations can lead to strong reviews because the customer has seen how you behave when things aren’t perfect. People respect that.
A simple message after a fix might be:
“Thanks again for letting us know about that issue. Glad we could get it sorted. If you feel we handled it well, a quick Google review would really help.”
That keeps it respectful and gives them space to decide.
How do I respond to reviews so I get more over time?
Responding to reviews is one of the easiest ways to build trust with future customers, because it shows you’re active, you care, and you’re not hiding from feedback.
Keep your replies short and personal. A generic reply on every review looks lazy. A simple, specific detail makes you look human and professional.
A good reply usually includes:
- A thank you
- A mention of the job type or what you helped with
- A friendly invitation to reach out again
For negative reviews, keep it calm. Don’t argue. Offer to resolve it offline. You’re not just speaking to the reviewer, you’re speaking to every future customer reading it.
Over time, when customers see that you respond well, they’re more likely to leave a review because it feels like their effort will be acknowledged.
Asking for Google reviews doesn’t have to feel awkward
Once asking for reviews becomes a normal part of how you finish a job, it’s just another step in running a solid trade business.
If you want the best way to get Google reviews for tradies, it’s simple: ask at the right time, keep your message short, make it one tap, and keep everything genuine. Do that consistently and you’ll build a steady stream of reviews that help customers trust you before they ever pick up the phone.
To make it even easier, use i4T Business Job Management Software to send review requests automatically after job completion. It’s a simple way to stay consistent, get more reviews without forgetting, and keep your online presence working for you while you’re out on the tools.
FAQs
Log into your Google Business Profile and copy your review link from the “Ask for reviews” or sharing section.
Yes. It’s normal to ask, as long as you keep it genuine and don’t pressure people.
No. Avoid incentives tied to reviews, as they can breach platform rules and make reviews look unreliable.
Send one friendly follow-up a few days later with the link again, then leave it.
Thank them, ask for a quick review, and include the direct link so it’s one tap.
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