Online reviews can be a potent marketing tool for your small business. Think about this: how often do you go online to see what others are saying about a service or product you're thinking of buying? Isn't it all the time? Your prospective clients are doing the same thing, so make sure you're winning the review game.
Want proof that asking for reviews and responding to and are smart moves?
- 89% of consumers will make an effort to read reviews before buying services or products. (Trustpilot).
- “79% of consumers say they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends or family. These days, word of mouth can come from outside a consumer's social circle, with an online review having a ripple outside of a happy (or unhappy!) customer's peers.” (Bright Local)
- Google and Amazon are by far the most popular channels people turn to for reviews. Google has 59%, and Amazon has 57%. (Bizrate Insights).
Reviews also provide a lot of value at little to no cost. You don't have to pay to leave or respond to a review, so it's free advertising for your small business. If you receive positive reviews and favorable feedback, these recommendations can and will impact future clients by instilling trust in your business before you even meet them!
Where to Look for Reviews
First and foremost, where should you look for reviews of your small business, and where should clients who wish to leave reviews be directed? Here are some of the most popular review sites:
- Google My Business
- Facebook Business Page
- Yelp
- TripAdvisor
- Bing Places for Business
- Better Business Bureau
- Yellowpages
- Manta
- Foursquare
The two major players are your Facebook business page and Google My Business listing. If you are like most small businesses and your time is limited, then you owe it to yourself to at least check these two platforms often for new reviews. These will also be the best places to point clients who are willing or asking to leave you a review.
Improving local SEO is a significant advantage of gathering regular and good reviews. Google's ranking system promotes companies with positive reviews, which means that prospects seeking your services will be able to find you more easily online.
How to Get More Reviews
The key to getting more reviews is as simple as asking! I understand that asking for things may be challenging, and there is definitely a right and wrong way to go about it. So, here are a few suggestions for soliciting feedback and reviews from your happy clients:
Shoot Them a Text
Text messages are designed to be short. Therefore your review request doesn't need to be long. Something like:
Hey (Clients Name), I just wanted to say thank you for choosing (small business name). If you have a moment, could you please share your experience with us here: (review URL).
We appreciate your business and hope you enjoyed your experience. We'd love to hear your feedback. Click below to leave a review here: (review URL).
Send an Email
Remember, asking for reviews doesn't need to be complicated. Just like with texts, your clients don't like reading long emails any more than you do. Remember to keep your requests short, simple, and to the point.
When you send emails, you can send them in batches or individually. Just remember to personalize them and address them accordingly. Let your clients know how much their review and ultimate feedback means to you and how you will use it. Then, make it easy for them to submit a review! Provide them with a direct link to your preferred review channel, like your Google Business Listing. Here is an example:
“(Client Name), thank you for choosing (Your Small Business Name). Please provide your feedback by clicking the link below.”
Thank you for choosing (small business name) for (service(s) you provided). We are a growing business, and online reviews are crucial to helping us to improve our processes and vital in attracting new clients if you would be so kind as to help us and leave a review of your experience at (review URL).
Mail a Handwritten Note
Handwritten notes are an excellent way to show your clients how much you appreciate them. After all, you're taking time out of your busy day to send a handwritten thank-you note. Send them well wishes, thank them for choosing your small business, then request an honest review.
Ask in Person
For this one, you must be able to read your audience! If you've just had a productive conversation with a client and they're complimenting your small business or thanking you profusely, then seize the moment and ask for a review. Begin by saying something like this:
I'm so happy to hear how pleased you are with our service(s)! Would you be willing to put that in an online review? It would help us out immensely!
Post on Your Social Media
If your small business has a decent social media following, create a post every now and then asking your satisfied customers to give an honest review of their experience with you. If you use Facebook, your followers will be able to post reviews directly on the platform, which is really easy and super convenient!
Include Review Links on Your Website and in Your Email Signature
Make it simple for your clients to locate your preferred review sites. Check to see if you have links in your email signature and on your website.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you thank them for picking your small business and invite them to share their experience. Direct them to your Google My Business or Facebook business page.
Remind them that they just need to leave a star rating or one or two phrases. You don't need a novel if your clients aren't interested in writing one!
6 Review Request Templates
If you are looking for more examples than the ones listed above, try these out:
Generic Review Request Template
Hi (Client Name),
Thank you for choosing (your small business name).
We value your opinion and want to hear from you. Would you be willing to take a moment to leave us a review? Here's the link: (review link).
Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to help us. We appreciate you and hope to see you again soon!
Generic Client Review Request Email Template (Visit Was a Long Time Ago)
Hi (client name),
This is (your name), (job title) at (small business).
A while ago (we came to and place you went to or visited us at your small business name). Thanks for choosing us (date of service); I sincerely hope you had a pleasurable experience and we were able to solve (issue).
Your feedback is essential to us, so whether you had a less-than-stellar or fantastic experience, we'd like to hear it.
Would you please consider taking a moment to leave your feedback on (your small business name) using this link: (review link)
Home Services
Hi (client name),
Thanks for choosing us to provide (service(s)). We value your business and appreciate your trust in us. If you were happy with our service(s), please take a moment to leave a review on (platform with a review link).
It would mean the absolute world to us.
Generic Video Testimonial Request
Hi (client name),
I hope this finds you and yours are well!
I'm reaching out because I was looking at some of the work we've been doing with you, and I wondered if it would be possible for us to make a video of you providing your testimonial. I was hoping to include what we have been working on with you and use your feedback and/or results.
Would you kindly respond back, letting us know if we can:
- Identify (you or your business) by name.
- Quote you directly about your experiences with us.
- Have you provide any additional input on the relationship between you and (your small business name) that you might want to provide.
Thank you so much!
General Google Review Requests
Example #1:
Dear (client name),
Thanks for being our client. At (small business name), we would like to hear how your experience went.
Do you mind doing us a quick favor and taking just a few minutes to leave a review?
You can leave your feedback by visiting this link: (review link)
Example #2:
Hey (client name),
We really appreciate your business!
We would like to know how we did? Would you please take a moment to let us know? We use your feedback and others to improve our operations for you and clients like you.
Here is a link to leave the feedback: (review link)
Example #3:
How was our service(s) today (client name)?
Did we exceed your expectations? If so, could you be so kind as to consider leaving us a review?
Here is a link to leave the review: (review link)
Example #4:
Dear (Client Name),
We want to sincerely thank you for your business, and we are committed to delivering the highest quality to our clients. In today's digital world, online reviews are vital to small businesses like ours.
Would you be willing to take a moment of your time to jot down some feedback on our Google Business Page (review link)? It's a quick and easy way for you to make a big difference.
If you have immediate questions, concerns, or feedback about your (service(s) or product(s) purchased), please feel free to give us a call. We want to hear from you and are happy to answer your questions.
Thank you for your time and business!
General Facebook Review
Hi (Client Name),
Thank you for choosing (small business name). If you would be willing to write us a Facebook review, we would greatly appreciate it! It will only take you a couple of minutes and would make a massive difference to our small business.
If you are willing, you can follow (review link) to submit your Facebook review.
If you have immediate questions, concerns, or feedback about your (service(s) or product(s) purchased), please feel free to give us a call. We want to hear from you and are happy to answer your questions.
Thank you for your time and business!
Online reviews help your business to be found
As you make more of an effort and request reviews from your clients, there will be a greater need to monitor and respond to feedback to provide excellent customer service. Always be mindful of the comments you're receiving while managing your online reputation. At some point, it may become too much to try to manage it all yourself. When that time comes it will be time to harness the power of reviews and automate requests! Be sure to reach out to us or check this page for more information about how we can help you width your online review management.
