Let’s be honest, asking for a review can feel a bit... clingy. You’ve just finished a beautiful sash window install in South London, the customer’s happy, they’ve paid, now what? “Would you mind leaving a review, please?” Cue awkward silence.
But here’s the truth: reviews are the lifeblood of your local SEO. Especially for tradespeople like joiners, glaziers, and window fitters, Google reviews are the new word of mouth and they help your business appear higher in Google Maps and “near me” searches.
Good news: you don’t need to beg. You just need a smarter system.
A steady stream of real, positive reviews tells Google three things:
And customers see it too. In fact, 93% of people check reviews before choosing a tradesperson. That number jumps even higher when it comes to jobs involving money, safety, or their home.
No reviews? You're invisible.
Old reviews? You look inactive.
Bad reviews with no replies? You look careless.
Here’s a step-by-step strategy tradespeople can actually use:
✅ 1. Ask at the Right Moment - Timing is everything. Ask when the job is fresh and the customer is thrilled. Usually right after they say, “That looks amazing!” That’s your green light.
✅ 2. Make It Stupidly Easy Send a direct link to your Google review form on the final invoice. Don’t say, “Search us on Google.” That’s work for them. Instead, say:
“Here’s a quick link to leave a review if you have 1 minute, it really helps us out.”
✅ 3. Automate It (But Keep It Human) Use tools like:
“If there’s anything you weren’t happy with, let me know first. I’d love the chance to put it right.”
✅ 4. Remind Them. Once Most people forget, not ignore. A gentle nudge a week later is fine. No spam. Just something like:
“Hi [customer], thanks again for choosing us. Just checking if you had a chance to leave a quick review, here’s the link again in case it got buried.”
This isn’t a race to 500 reviews, it’s about consistency.
🎯 Get your first 10 reviews as soon as possible
📈 Then aim for no more than 1–2 reviews per week, any more frequently and this might look suspisous in a trade business
⭐ Quality matters more than quantity
And make sure to reply to each review and include keywords in your reply, even the short ones. Google sees this engagement and ranks you higher. Plus, your future customers see how professional (and appreciative) you are.
Feel free to use and tweak these proven messages:
For WhatsApp/Email:
“Hi [Customer], it was a pleasure working on your [project type]. If you’re happy with everything, we’d be really grateful if you could leave us a quick Google review. Here’s the link: [link]. Thanks again for choosing us!”
For Paper/Invoice:
“Your feedback means everything! Please take a minute to leave us a Google review: [short URL link or a QR code]”
Bonus tip: Add photos of the job to your Google profile and mention the customer by first name (with permission) in your reply to the review. It looks real (because it is), and people love seeing names that aren’t just “John Smith.”
Every review is a local SEO booster. With the right keywords and regular activity, you’ll move up the ranks.
Here’s what reviews influence:
🔍 Your position on Google Maps
📍 Visibility in “near me” searches
🌟 Click-through rate from search results
📲 Trust from mobile searchers looking for urgent help
And the difference?
👉 Companies with 30+ recent 5-star reviews get 3–5x more calls than those with under 10.
Google reviews aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential for trades in 2025. More reviews = more visibility = more jobs.
You don’t need to pester clients. You just need a clear, easy process that feels natural and professional.
Whether you’re a joiner in Kent, a glazier in Croydon, or a builder in Camden, reviews are your digital reputation. Start collecting them the right way, today.
Want help setting up your Google Business Profile and automated review process? We’ll do the heavy lifting, book a free call now.
