How to get more reviews without feeling pushy
Most happy customers would leave a review. They just don't think of it, or don't know where to go. Your job is to ask at the right moment and make it take 30 seconds.
1. Ask before you leave the job
The best moment is right after the customer sees the finished work and thanks you. A simple line works: “If you're happy with the job, a quick review would really help a small business like mine. I'll text you the link.”
2. Send the link the same day
Text a direct link to the review site you want to grow, whether that's HomeStars, Facebook or another one. Do it within a few hours, while the job is fresh. Keep it short:
3. Spread them out
Rotate which site you send people to. A few recent reviews on HomeStars, Facebook and your map listings looks better than fifty in one place and none anywhere else.
4. Reply to every review
Thank people by name and mention the job (“Glad the new water heater is working well”). For a bad review, stay calm, apologize for the experience, and offer to fix it offline. Future customers read your replies as closely as the reviews.
5. Make HomeStars work for you
HomeStars is the review site many Canadian homeowners check before hiring a trade, and it has a few rules of its own worth knowing:
- The basic profile is free. Claim your business, or create a profile if you're not listed yet.
- Request reviews through HomeStars itself, using the HomeStars for Pros app or the desktop site.
- Your Star Score depends on more than stars. HomeStars scores pros out of 100% based on how recently you got a review, how quickly you respond to leads and reviews, and your reputation. Steady reviews and fast replies keep it up.
- Each household can review you once every six months, up to three times in total. Repeat customers can leave a fresh review, just not every visit.
- Reviews need some substance. HomeStars asks for at least 30 words about a real job, with no personal details like phone numbers or home addresses. Mention that when you ask, so the review gets published.
6. Play by the rules
- Never offer discounts or gifts for reviews. Review sites remove them and can suspend your profile.
- Ask every customer, not just the happy ones.
- Never write reviews yourself or have friends and family post them. HomeStars specifically bans owners and employees from leaving reviews on a customer's behalf.
- Don't hand customers your phone or tablet to leave a review. Let them use their own.
Sources
The short versionAsk in person, text the link the same day, spread reviews across sites, reply to every one, and never fake or buy them.