How to Get More Google Reviews [2024]: Complete System for Local Business

Understanding the Value of Customer Reviews

Reviews aren’t just nice to have anymore - they’re essential for business survival online. According to recent studies, 93% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision.

But what really matters isn’t just having reviews - it’s maintaining a consistent flow of fresh, authentic feedback.

So how do you get them?

Here’s a proven formula for generating consistent reviews:

Right Time + Right Ask + Right Follow-up = Consistent Reviews

There. Blog post done.

Too easy. I guess I can go take a nap or something.

…or, [sigh] is there more to it?

(Yes. Yes there is)

TLDR;

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Value of Customer Reviews
• The Current State of Review Generation
  • Common Mistakes
  • Your Reviews Mindset
  • Why Traditional Approaches Fail
• Core Strategies for Effective Review Generation
  • 1. The Power of Immediate Follow-up
  • 2. Personalization at Scale
  • 3. Value-First Follow-up
• The Perfect Review Request Email Template
• Implementation: Your Step-by-Step Guide
  • Step 1: Set Up Your Follow-up Sequence
  • Step 2: Customize Your Templates
  • Step 3: Build Your Tracking System
• Key Takeaways
• FAQs
  • How quickly should I ask customers for reviews?
  • Won’t asking for reviews seem desperate or unprofessional?
  • What’s the best platform to request reviews on?
  • How should I handle negative reviews when they come in?
  • Is it okay to offer incentives for reviews?

The Current State of Review Generation

Good reviews help boost your SEO, build trust, and demonstrate your expertise. They’re essential to your business and can make a huge difference.

I’m sure you already know this and that’s probably exactly why you clicked on this article.

Don’t worry, we’ll get to the good stuff soon (or you can skip ahead with the Table of Contents)

Common Mistakes

Many businesses struggle with review generation because of two common approaches:

1. Not asking for reviews at all, often due to discomfort or lack of process
2. Sending generic, impersonal review requests that get ignored

Approach number 1 isn’t so much an approach as a lack of confidence in their business, IMO.

You only feel like asking for a review is an imposition if you feel like you’re either 1) Not sure you earned a good one, or 2) Don’t think you’re better than any competitors.

That may sound harsh, but you need to change your mindset about asking for reviews in order to actually do it.

We make sure all of our clients have a set reviews strategy (with templates) and we reframe what it means to ask for a review.

This has helped many local businesses we work with improve their review-generation game and therefore generate more business.

Your Reviews Mindset

Reviews help potential customers make decisions. They also help your SEO and conversion rate.

So if you’re not asking for reviews and (let’s assume for the sake of argument) you are confident in your business and service, then maybe you actually just have the wrong outlook on reviews.

Even though reviews help you: they aren’t for you. They’re for the customer.

So just shut off that part of your brain saying that asking for reviews is selfish, or groveling, or whatever.

And realize that reviews help customers.

Now, when asking, frame it this way for your clients and you’ll feel much more comfortable.

But don’t worry, I’ll get into this more below.

Why Traditional Approaches Fail

Traditional review generation methods often fail because they:

• Lack systematic follow-up
• Miss the optimal timing window
• Focus on quantity over quality
• Ignore the importance of providing value
• Fail to connect with customers personally

Core Strategies for Effective Review Generation

So how do we correct all of this?

If you’ve made the mindshift then you’re ready for the concrete steps.

This is the easy part, I promise.

1. The Power of Immediate Follow-up

Timing is crucial for successful review generation. Research shows that review requests sent within 24 hours of service completion receive significantly higher response rates.

Why?

Because the experience is still fresh in your customer’s mind.

They remember the specific details of your service, the names of your team members, and most importantly, how you made them feel.

Wait too long, and those details fade, making it less likely they’ll take the time to write a meaningful review.

Key elements of effective follow-up:

• Send thank-you and review requests within 24 hours
• Connect requests to employee recognition programs
• Follow up 3-4 days later with valuable content

2. Personalization at Scale

Effective personalization doesn’t require writing individual emails from scratch.

You can have a systematic approach as long as it has several elements essential for customization.

Template components that matter:

• Specific service details
• Team member names
• Recognition program details
• Value-added tips

The key is finding the sweet spot between automation and personalization.

While you want to save time with templates, each message should feel like it was written specifically for that customer.

This means including details about their specific service, mentioning team members by name, and providing relevant, service-specific tips that show you understand their needs.

3. Value-First Follow-up

The most effective review generation strategy prioritizes value over requests:

1. Begin with genuine service confirmation
2. Provide immediate value through tips and best practices
3. Frame review requests as opportunities to help others
4. Deliver additional value in follow-up communications

Think of it this way: every communication should leave your customer better off than before they opened it.

Whether it’s maintenance tips, seasonal advice, or insider knowledge about your industry, give before you ask.

This approach not only increases review response rates but also strengthens customer relationships and encourages repeat business.

The Perfect Review Request Email Template

This template incorporates best practices for effective review generation.

Notice how it balances gratitude, value, and the review request while maintaining a professional yet friendly tone.

The key is making the review feel like a natural extension of your excellent service rather than an awkward ask.

Subject: Thank you for trusting [Company Name] with your [service type]

Hi [Customer Name],

Thank you for choosing [Company Name] for your recent [specific service]. We hope [Employee Names] exceeded your expectations today!

Quick Care Tips:

• [Relevant tip 1 related to their service]
• [Relevant tip 2 related to their service]
• [Relevant tip 3 related to their service]

If you were happy with our service, we’d be grateful if you’d take a moment to share your experience on [preferred platform].

Your feedback helps other customers make informed decisions, and when you mention team members by name, it helps us reward them for their exceptional service. [Employee Names] would especially appreciate your recognition!

[Direct link to review platform]

Need anything else? We’re here to help!

Best regards,

[Your name]

[Company Name]

Implementation: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set Up Your Follow-up Sequence

…Think of it as continuing the conversation rather than starting a new one.

Need an email marketing platform to make this happen? You can use Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to set one up quickly without much hassle.

1. Create your initial thank-you email template
2. Set up your value-add follow-up email
3. Establish your tracking system

The key to a successful sequence is consistency and timing.

Your first email should arrive while the service experience is still fresh, and your follow-up should provide additional value before making another gentle request for feedback.

Think of it as continuing the conversation rather than starting a new one.

Step 2: Customize Your Templates

Essential template customizations:

• Insert specific service types
• Add team recognition program details
• Create service-specific care tips
• Generate direct review platform links

Remember that customization goes beyond just filling in blanks.

Each template should reflect your brand voice and the specific value you provide.

For example, a landscaping company might include seasonal maintenance tips, while a plumber might focus on preventive maintenance advice.

Step 3: Build Your Tracking System

Essential tracking spreadsheet components:

Column Headers:

• Customer Name
• Service Date
• Employee(s)
• Follow-up Status
• Review Status
• Platform Used
• Response Received

Your tracking system doesn’t need to be complicated, but it needs to be comprehensive and consistently used.

The goal is to ensure no customer falls through the cracks and that you can identify patterns in what works and what doesn’t.

This data becomes invaluable as you refine your review generation process over time.

Key Takeaways

Getting reviews doesn’t have to be hard.

The first step is getting over whatever is preventing you from asking: usually a kind of fear or discomfort.

Whether that’s a kind of fear of rejection, fear of bad reviews, or just a fear of asking and harming your relationship with the customer, it’s still standing in the way of your business.

But if you focus on delivering value when you ask for reviews and deliver service you’re proud of, then you can get past that discomfort.

By using the system I’ve outlined here, you’ll be much better equipped to go out and get those reviews - even if you’re still a little nervous or anxious about it.

It helps tons of our clients and will help you too.

Implement this system by:

1. Setting up your tracking spreadsheet
2. Customizing email templates
3. Establishing your follow-up sequence
4. Testing with your next 5 customers

Remember: Effective review generation isn’t about increasing request frequency - it’s about optimizing timing, personalization, and value delivery.

Want to learn more about systematically growing your business? Check out our Perpetual Growth Machine program for a comprehensive approach to sustainable business growth.

FAQs

How quickly should I ask customers for reviews?

Research shows the optimal window for requesting reviews is within 24 hours of service completion. The experience is still fresh in customers’ minds at this point, making them more likely to provide detailed, authentic feedback. However, this initial request should always be paired with genuine gratitude and valuable follow-up information about their service.

Won’t asking for reviews seem desperate or unprofessional?

Not when done correctly. Reviews help potential customers make informed decisions about their purchases. When you frame review requests as an opportunity to help others in your community make better choices, while also recognizing your team members’ excellent service, it becomes a natural extension of your customer service rather than a desperate plea for validation.

What’s the best platform to request reviews on?

Begin by focusing on Google Business Profile reviews until you match or exceed your top competitors’ review counts. After establishing a strong Google presence, expand to industry-specific platforms and other review sites. This strategy maximizes your local SEO impact while building a comprehensive online reputation.

How should I handle negative reviews when they come in?

Negative reviews present valuable opportunities when handled properly. Respond promptly and professionally, address specific concerns mentioned in the review, and outline steps taken to prevent similar issues in the future. A constructive response to criticism often impresses potential customers more than a perfect review record, as it demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Is it okay to offer incentives for reviews?

No. Offering incentives for reviews violates most platforms’ (i.e. Google, Yelp) terms of service and can damage your business’s credibility. Instead, focus on providing exceptional service and making the review process as convenient as possible. The best incentive is showing customers how their feedback helps others while recognizing your team’s excellent service.