Category: Reviews

General contractors get more Google reviews by asking every client, the same way, after the final walkthrough and punch list are complete. Send a short text or email with a direct link, tied to the specific project. Never offer a discount or gift in return, and never ask only the clients you think are happy.

General contractors have the hardest review problem in the trades. Your projects last weeks or months. Your clients live in the mess. Something will go sideways, even on a good job, and the only question is how it is handled. That is why a general contractor’s reviews are worth more than most: they come from people who watched you for a long time.

The goal is to ask at the right moment, in the right way, from every client.

When should a general contractor ask for a review?

After the work is finished and the client has done the walkthrough, and after the punch list is cleared.

Project stage	Should you ask?	Why
Mid-project	No, check in by phone instead	The experience is unfinished
Substantial completion	Not yet	Punch list items can sour a review
Final walkthrough done, punch list cleared	Yes	The project is truly finished
A few weeks after move-in	A gentle reminder, if needed	The client has lived with the work

Mid-project check-ins are good practice. Call the client at the halfway point and ask how it is going. That conversation can catch problems early. It is not a review request.

What do you send?

Short, personal, tied to the project. Send it to the person who signed the contract, and to the spouse if both were involved.

Kitchen or bath remodel:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Thank you for trusting us with your [kitchen/bath]. We hope you are enjoying it. If you were happy with the project, a short Google review would help other homeowners find a contractor they can trust: [link]. Thank you. “

Addition or whole-home renovation:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. It has been a pleasure working with you on the [addition/renovation]. If you have a few minutes, a Google review about the experience, from first meeting to final walkthrough, would mean a lot: [link]. “

Gentle reminder, a week or two later:

“ Hi [Name], just a quick note. If you have a moment, a short Google review about your project would help other homeowners. No pressure at all. Here is the link: [link]. Thank you. “

Business texting rules change, so confirm current requirements for your setup. Practically: get consent when you collect a number, honor STOP at once, register your number where carriers require it, and keep messages useful. You can send the same message by email if the client prefers it.

What do good GC reviews say?

They cover the things that worry people most: communication, schedule, price, quality and cleanliness. A review that says “kept us informed weekly and the final price matched the contract” is worth far more than “Great contractor.”

You cannot script it. Ask an open question such as “How was the experience from start to finish?” and let them write in their own words.

What are the rules?

Google’s policies say reviews must reflect genuine experiences. In practice:

• Ask every client the same way. Selectively soliciting only positive reviews, or discouraging negative ones, is prohibited. That is review gating.
• Offer nothing in return. Paid or incentivized reviews are removed. That includes discounts on future work and gift cards.
• No substitutes. Do not ask subcontractors, relatives or employees to post as clients, and do not ask one person to post from several accounts.

If a client is unhappy, fix what you can before the review request. If they still post a critical review, reply.

How do you handle a difficult project?

Some projects have a rough patch: a delay, a change order, a disagreement about scope. Do not hide from it. Handle it before you ask.

1. Call the client, listen, and name the issue in writing.
2. Agree on what you will do and when.
3. Do it.
4. At the final walkthrough, ask if everything is resolved.
5. Then send the same review request you send everyone.

Do not skip a difficult client. That would be gating. Ask the same way and be ready to reply to whatever comes. For the preventive side, see handling difficult clients before bad reviews.

How should a GC reply?

• Positive: “Thank you, Mark and Lena. It was a pleasure working with you. Enjoy the new kitchen.”
• About a delay: “We are sorry the schedule ran longer than planned. Supplier delays pushed back the cabinets, and we should have updated you sooner. I will call you today.”
• About a cost dispute: “We want to make this right. Our contract and change orders list the scope and price, and I would like to go through them with you by phone.” Do not share private details.

How do you build the habit?

For a contractor who finishes a handful of projects a year, each review counts. Make the ask part of closeout.

1. Add “send review request” to your final-walkthrough checklist.
2. Keep templates saved.
3. Set a reminder to send the gentle follow-up.
4. After each response, reply within a couple of days.

A labeled hypothetical: say you finish eight projects a year and ask all eight. If six reply, that is six detailed reviews a year, which for a general contractor is a strong base. Your numbers will differ. Detail matters more than volume here.

Where to go next

See the Google reviews guide for contractors for the whole system and general contractor marketing for context. If you would rather not run it by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month.

Common questions

Is it okay to ask for a review before the project is finished?

It is better to wait until the work is done and the walkthrough is complete, so the review reflects the whole experience. Some contractors check in at milestones to gauge satisfaction, and that is fine as a conversation. Keep the actual review request for the end and send it the same way to every client.

How do I handle a client who disputes a change order?

Resolve it directly and in writing before you ask for a review. If the dispute turns into a critical review, reply politely and factually without sharing private details. Offer to talk offline. Readers judge how you respond, and a measured reply can reassure future clients.

Should I ask the architect or designer to write a review?

Only if they were your client or hired you directly and had a real experience. Reviews should reflect genuine experiences. A referral partner who did not hire you should not post a review on your behalf, and you should not ask someone to post from several accounts.

What if the homeowner moved in and is too busy to write a review?

Send one gentle reminder a week or two later. Keep the same reminder for every client, and do not offer anything in exchange. Remodel clients are often exhausted after a long project, so a short ask with a direct link is more likely to get done than a long message.

Painters get more Google reviews by finishing the punch list and touch-ups first, then asking every customer the same way with a short text and a direct link. Ask after the walkthrough, when the customer has seen the finished work. Never offer a discount or gift in return, and never ask only the happy customers.

A painter’s work is judged up close. Customers look at the edges, the corners, the places the sun hits. A review from someone who has lived with your work for a week says more than any photo.

The catch is that painters usually leave a job quickly. The moment to ask is brief, and it comes after the paint dries, not before.

When should a painter ask for a review?

Wait until the customer has seen the finished work and any touch-ups are done.

Job	Best moment	Why
Interior room or whole house	After the final walkthrough and punch list	The customer has inspected the finished walls
Exterior	After the walkthrough, with the yard cleaned up	They have seen it in daylight from the street
Cabinet refinishing	A week or so after, once the finish has settled	They have used the doors and drawers
Small touch-up job	Same day	Quick job, quick ask
Rental turnover for a manager	After the unit is signed off	The work is accepted

The punch list matters. A review request sent before you have fixed a missed spot invites a review about the missed spot.

What do you text?

Short, specific and easy. Use the first name and the type of job.

Interior:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Thanks for letting us paint your [rooms]. If you are happy with how it turned out, a short Google review would help other homeowners find a careful painter: [link]. Thank you. “

Exterior:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Your house looks great in the sunshine. If you were happy with the job, a quick Google review helps others in [town] choose a painter: [link]. Thanks again. “

Cabinets:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. How are the cabinets holding up after a week of use? If you are happy, a short Google review about the project would mean a lot: [link]. Thank you. “

Texting rules change over time, so confirm current requirements for your setup. In practice, get consent when you collect a number, honor STOP right away, register your number where carriers require it, and keep messages useful.

What do the best painting reviews say?

They mention the things customers worry about: neat lines, covered furniture, daily cleanup, sticking to the price, finishing on time. A review that says “they taped everything and the lines are perfect” helps the next buyer more than “Nice job.”

You cannot write it for them. You can ask a question such as “How was the prep and cleanup?” and let the answer come in their own words.

What are the rules?

Google’s policies require that reviews reflect genuine experiences. Three limits apply to every trade:

• Ask everyone. Selectively soliciting only positive reviews, or discouraging negative ones, is prohibited. That is gating.
• No rewards. A gift card, a discount on touch-ups or a free can of paint in exchange for a review is not allowed. Paid or incentivized reviews are removed.
• No ghost reviews. Do not post as a customer, and do not ask someone to post from several accounts.

If a customer is unhappy, fix the problem first. If they still post a critical review, it is theirs to post and yours to answer.

How do you handle color disagreements?

Painters get a special kind of complaint: “The color looks different than I expected.” It is hard to fight in a review, so prevent it.

1. Test a sample on the wall, in daylight and evening light, before starting.
2. Get the color name and code confirmed in writing.
3. At the walkthrough, ask if the color is what they pictured.
4. If it is not, discuss the options before asking for a review.

If a review complains about color anyway, reply politely and offer a call. Do not argue about taste in public.

How do you keep this going with a small crew?

Put the ask in your closeout routine.

1. Walkthrough with the customer and note the touch-ups.
2. Finish the touch-ups and confirm.
3. Send the review text.
4. On Fridays, check closed jobs with no request sent.

A labeled hypothetical: say you finish six jobs a month. If you ask all six and half reply, that is three reviews a month, or three dozen in a year. Your rate will differ, but the count only grows when every job gets asked. Our post on the best time to ask for a review goes deeper.

How should a painter reply?

• Positive: “Thanks, Joan. It was a pleasure working with you. Enjoy the new color.”
• About a missed spot: “We are sorry we missed it. I will send someone this week to touch it up. Please call me to set a time.”
• About a delay: “Weather pushed the start date. I should have called sooner. I will call you today.”

For more, see the Google reviews guide for contractors and the painting page. If you would rather not run it by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month.

Common questions

What if a customer wants a touch-up after I ask for the review?

Handle the touch-up promptly and politely, then follow up. A good fix often turns a mild complaint into a better review. This is why many painters hold the review ask until after the walkthrough and any punch list items are done, so the customer is reviewing a finished job.

Is it okay to ask a customer to mention the color or the prep?

You can ask an open question like “How was the prep and cleanup?” but do not script the review. Customers do better writing in their own words. Specific mentions of prep, neatness or communication tend to appear naturally when the experience was good.

Should I ask landlords and property managers?

Yes, if they hired you and had a real experience. They often send repeat work such as turnovers, and their reviews help other managers find you. Ask the same way as homeowners, after the final walkthrough, and offer nothing in return.

Can I ask a customer to take down a negative review?

You can reply politely and offer to fix what went wrong. If the customer later chooses to update their review, that is up to them. Do not pressure them or offer anything in exchange. Google prohibits incentivized reviews and expects reviews to reflect genuine experiences.

Landscapers get more Google reviews by asking maintenance clients after the first month of good service, and project clients at the final walkthrough. Send a short text with your review link, ask every customer the same way, and never offer a discount or gift in return or ask only the happy ones.

Landscaping has a built-in review advantage: the result is something people can see from the street. A finished patio, a neat lawn, a bed of fresh mulch. Customers are proud of it, and pride makes a good review.

The trick is knowing when to ask, because landscaping has two kinds of customer.

When should a landscaper ask for a review?

Recurring maintenance customers and project customers feel the benefit at different moments.

Customer type	Best moment	Why
Maintenance (weekly or biweekly)	After the first month or two of visits	They have seen consistency, not just one cut
Seasonal cleanup	Right after the cleanup is done	The yard looks different today
Planting or bed install	A week or two after, once things look settled	Plants and mulch look their best
Hardscape or design project	At the final walkthrough, then by text	The finished result is fresh

For maintenance clients, do not ask after the very first mow. Wait until they have had a few visits and can say something real about reliability.

What do you text?

Short, warm, specific. Use the first name and name the work.

Maintenance client:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. We have been taking care of your lawn for a few weeks now. If you are happy with the service, a short Google review helps other homeowners in [town] find a reliable crew: [link]. Thank you. “

Seasonal cleanup:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Your spring cleanup is done. If the yard looks the way you hoped, a quick Google review would help a neighbor choose a landscaper: [link]. Thanks. “

Project:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Thank you for trusting us with your new [patio / planting / yard]. If you have a minute, a short Google review about how the project went would mean a lot: [link]. “

Texting rules change, so confirm current requirements for your setup. In practice that means getting consent when you collect the number, honoring STOP at once, registering your number where carriers require it, and keeping messages useful.

What makes a landscaping review useful?

Reviews that mention reliability, communication and the crew help the next buyer more than “Looks great.” Landscaping customers worry about no-shows, damaged sprinklers and crews that leave a mess. A review that says “showed up on schedule every week” speaks to the fear.

You can encourage specifics by asking a question rather than handing over wording: “How has it been working with our crew?” Do not write it for them.

What rules apply?

Google’s policies say reviews must reflect genuine experiences. Remember:

• Ask everyone. Selectively soliciting only positive reviews, or steering unhappy people away, is prohibited.
• Offer nothing. Discounts, free mulch and entries in a drawing are all out. Paid or incentivized reviews are removed.
• No ghost accounts. Do not post as customers or ask someone to post from several accounts.

If a customer is unhappy, call them. Fix what you can. If they post a critical review, you are allowed to reply.

How do you build the habit with a small crew?

The risk in landscaping is that the busy season eats the ask. Put it on a calendar.

1. Tag maintenance clients with the date they started. Send the review text on day 30.
2. Add a step to project closeout: “Walkthrough, then review text.”
3. Check Fridays for completed jobs with no request sent.
4. Reply to new reviews within a couple of days.

A labeled hypothetical: say you serve 60 maintenance clients. If you spread a first-month ask across the year as new clients join and about a fifth reply, that is a dozen new reviews from your steadiest customers alone. Your own numbers will differ. The point is that recurring customers give you a natural, repeatable moment to ask.

How should a landscaper answer reviews?

• Positive: “Thanks, Carla. We are glad the front beds look good. See you Thursday.”
• About a missed visit: “We are sorry we missed your Tuesday visit. A truck problem put us behind. I will make sure your next visit is on time and call you today.”
• About damage: Acknowledge it, offer to inspect, and invite a call. Never argue in public.

For more, see our Google reviews guide for contractors and the post on handling difficult clients before bad reviews.

What about the spring rush?

When spring hits, you will be booked and tired. That is when to make the ask automatic. A review request that fires when a job is marked done does not need you to remember. See landscaping spring rush marketing for how reviews fit with the rest of the season.

If you would rather not manage it by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month. For trade context, see landscaping marketing.

Common questions

Should crew leaders ask customers for reviews?

They can mention it, but a consistent system works better than relying on each person. Let the crew lead say a friendly word at the end of a project, then send the text from the office or an automatic message. That way every customer is asked the same way.

Is it okay to ask a lawn customer who has been with me for years?

Yes, and long-term customers often write the most credible reviews. Ask them the same way as new customers. Do not offer a discount or anything else in return. A short, honest note from a loyal customer carries more weight than a stack of one-line reviews.

What if a customer is unhappy about the weather delaying the job?

Be honest and proactive. Call, explain, and give a new date you can meet. If they still post a critical review, reply politely, state the facts and invite them to talk. Readers see how you respond, and a calm reply often counts for as much as the complaint.

Can I ask an HOA or property manager for a review?

Yes, if they hired you and had a real experience. Commercial and HOA clients often give repeat work, so their reviews help. Ask the same way you ask homeowners, after a stretch of good service, and let the person write in their own words. Offer nothing in return.

Electricians get more Google reviews by asking every customer, the same way, after the work is done, tested and, where required, inspected. A text with a direct link, sent the same day for small jobs and after sign-off for larger ones, works best. Never offer anything in return or ask only the happy ones.

Electrical work is about trust. A homeowner scrolling through electricians on a map is not looking for the cheapest. They are looking for someone who sounds careful. Reviews are where they check.

The good news is that careful work leaves a lot to write about. You just need to ask.

When should an electrician ask for a review?

Match the ask to when the customer feels sure the job is done right.

Job	Best moment	Why
Troubleshooting call (dead outlets, breaker)	Same day, after power is back	The problem is solved
Panel upgrade or service change	After the inspection passes and power is restored	The job is fully signed off
EV charger install	After the first successful charge	They have seen it work
Lighting or fixtures	After a day or two of use	They like how it looks
Remodel wiring for a builder	After the walkthrough	A finished scope

Where an inspection is required, waiting for it to pass keeps the review about the finished job, not about a half-done one.

What do you text?

Keep it short, polite, personal. Send it to the person who hired you.

Troubleshooting:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Glad we got the power back on in the kitchen. If you were happy with the service, a short Google review helps other homeowners find an electrician they can trust: [link]. Thank you. “

Panel upgrade:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Now that the inspection is done and the new panel is in, we would be grateful for a short Google review about how it went: [link]. Thank you for trusting us with your home. “

EV charger:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Did the charger work smoothly on the first try? If you are happy, a short Google review about the install would help others: [link]. Thanks. “

Business-texting rules change, so confirm current requirements for your setup. Day to day: get consent when you collect a number, honor STOP at once, register your number where carriers require it, and keep messages useful.

What do good electrician reviews say?

The reviews that help the next buyer mention the job, the way you communicated and the cleanliness. “Explained the panel before starting, labeled every breaker, cleaned up” tells a story. “Good work” does not.

You cannot script it. You can ask a question instead, such as “How was the install experience?” and let them write it. Do not paste suggested wording and do not edit what they write.

What are the review rules?

Google’s policies are clear:

• Reviews must reflect genuine experiences.
• Paid or incentivized reviews are not allowed.
• Reviews posted at one person’s request through multiple accounts are removed.
• Selectively soliciting only positive reviews, or discouraging negative ones, is prohibited.

So ask every customer the same way, offer nothing, and never post as a customer. If a customer is unhappy, call them first. If they still post a critical review, you can reply.

How do you ask commercial and builder customers?

Builders, property managers and general contractors often send repeat work, which makes their reviews valuable. They also leave fewer reviews, so make it easy.

“ Hi [Name], thanks for the work on [project]. If you have two minutes, a short Google review about how the job went on schedule and communication would help other builders and managers find us: [link]. Thank you. “

Ask after you have finished the scope and the final walkthrough, not mid-project.

How should an electrician reply to reviews?

Reply to each one in a sentence or two.

• Positive: “Thanks, Greg. Glad the new panel is working well. Call anytime.”
• About price: “We are sorry the price was higher than you expected. Our written quote listed the scope up front, but we would be glad to walk through it by phone.”
• About a delay: “Our start date slipped because of an earlier job. I should have called sooner. I will call you today.”

Never share customer details, never argue, and never accuse someone of fabricating without being sure. If a review looks fake, use the flag option and follow Google’s process. Results vary.

For more on delicate jobs, see handling difficult clients before bad reviews.

What does this look like on a small shop?

Here is a labeled hypothetical. Say a two-truck shop completes 12 jobs a week and asks every customer. If a fifth reply, that is about two to three new reviews a week. Your rate will differ. The key is that the ask is built into closing the job, not left to memory.

1. Add “send review text” to your job-complete checklist.
2. Save templates in your phone.
3. On Fridays, check for closed jobs with no request sent.
4. Reply to new reviews within a couple of days.

Where to go next

See the Google reviews guide for contractors for the whole system, and the electrical page for trade context. If you would rather not run it by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month.

Common questions

Should I wait for the inspection before asking for a review?

For jobs that need an inspection, waiting until it passes is a sensible rule, since the customer knows the job is fully complete. Pick the timing for each job type, write it down and apply it to every customer so the ask is consistent.

Can builders and general contractors leave reviews for me?

Yes, if they hired you and had a real working experience. Those reviews are valuable because other builders read them. Ask the same way you ask homeowners, and let them describe the work in their own words, such as schedule and communication.

What should I do about a review that says the price was too high?

Reply politely without arguing. Mention that you gave a written quote in advance, if you did, and offer to go over it by phone. Readers care how you respond. A calm answer can reassure a careful buyer more than a perfect star rating.

Can I ask an apprentice or employee to post reviews as customers?

No. Google says reviews must reflect genuine experiences and removes fake engagement. Reviews should come from real customers about real work. Posting as a customer, or asking staff or relatives to, puts your profile at risk and misleads the next homeowner.

HVAC contractors get more Google reviews by asking every customer, the same way, once the system is running and the house is comfortable again. Use a different moment for repairs, installs and tune-ups, and never offer anything in return or ask only the happy customers.

HVAC reviews have a rhythm. In a heat wave you may fix more systems in a week than in a month of spring. In shoulder seasons, you do tune-ups and installs. The moment to ask changes with the job, and the busiest weeks are the ones where asking is easiest to forget.

Here is a system that works when you are slammed.

When should an HVAC contractor ask for a review?

Ask when the customer feels the benefit. That moment differs by job:

Job	Best moment	Why
No-cool or no-heat repair	After the system has run and the house is comfortable	The relief is strongest right then
System replacement	After startup, once the customer has seen it run	They have just seen a finished install
Tune-up or maintenance	At the end of the visit or later that day	Short job, short ask
Thermostat or small part	Same day	Quick fix, quick message

For a replacement, consider waiting until after the first full day of operation. A customer who can say “it cooled the house in an hour” writes a better review than one who has not felt the difference yet.

What text do you send?

Short. Specific to the job. With a link they can tap.

Repair in a heat wave:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Tech] at [Business]. Hope the house is cooling off. If we got you comfortable again, a short Google review helps other homeowners in [town] find help when it's hot: [link]. Thank you. “

New system:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. How is the new system running? If you are happy with the install, a short Google review about the experience would help other homeowners: [link]. Thanks for choosing us. “

Tune-up:

“ Hi [Name], thanks for letting us look at your system today. If you found the visit helpful, a quick Google review helps others decide who to call for a tune-up: [link]. Thank you. “

Texting rules change, so confirm current requirements for your setup. Operationally: get consent when you collect the number, honor STOP at once, register your number where carriers require it, and send only what the customer would want to read.

What makes an HVAC review useful to the next reader?

People shopping a replacement want to read about the process, not just the result. A good review mentions things like whether the quote matched the final bill, whether the crew cleaned up, and whether the tech explained the options.

You cannot write it for them. You can make the experience worth mentioning, and you can ask an open question, such as “How did the install go?” That brings out specifics.

What are the rules?

Google’s policies are the same for every trade, and HVAC contractors get tempted during busy seasons.

• Ask everyone. Selectively soliciting only positive reviews, or discouraging negative ones, is prohibited. That is review gating.
• No rewards. Do not give discounts, gift cards, or plan credits for reviews. Paid or incentivized reviews are removed.
• No ghost reviews. Do not post as customers, and do not ask a person to post from several accounts.

If a customer was unhappy, call them. If they post a critical review anyway, that is theirs to post and yours to answer.

How do you keep this going in peak season?

The risk in HVAC is that the ask drops off when the phones are busiest. Make it automatic.

1. Add “send review text” as the last step on every work order.
2. Have a template saved in your phone or system.
3. Assign one person to check on Friday for closed jobs with no request sent.
4. In the slow season, catch up on any you missed, but only for recent jobs.

A labeled hypothetical: say you close 25 jobs a week in July. Even if only a few reply, you will add reviews faster in one hot month than in a quiet quarter, which is also when new customers are choosing between you and the next company in the map.

How should you respond to HVAC reviews?

Reply to everything within a couple of days.

• Positive: “Thanks, Priya. Glad the house is comfortable again. Call us for your fall tune-up.”
• Complaint about wait time: “We are sorry the wait was long. It was an unusually busy week and we should have updated you sooner. I will call you today.”
• Complaint about a repeat issue: Offer to come back and look, if that is your practice. Never promise what you cannot deliver.

For deeper coverage, read the Google reviews guide for contractors and how to respond to a bad Google review.

How does this help with maintenance plans?

Reviews that mention a tune-up or plan give planning customers confidence. Ask plan members after a visit, not on a schedule that feels like a campaign. Over time, a profile with reviews from repair, install and maintenance customers reads like a real company that serves a neighborhood for years. See also HVAC contractor marketing.

If you would rather not run it by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month.

Common questions

Should install crews or sales reps ask for the review?

Pick one person per job type and write it down. The salesperson may have the strongest relationship on a replacement, while the install crew lead sees the finished job. Whoever asks, the text with your link should go out the same way every time.

Is it okay to ask maintenance-plan members for a review?

Yes, they are real customers with a real experience. Ask them the same way as everyone else, after a visit. Do not ask every member for a review at once, and do not offer a plan discount or any other reward for leaving one.

What do I do about a review that blames me for the price of a new system?

Reply politely and avoid arguing about price. Explain briefly what the quote covered, offer to go through it, and invite a call. Prospects reading the exchange see how you handle disagreement, which can matter more than the complaint itself.

Can a manufacturer’s rating replace Google reviews?

No. They serve different readers. Google reviews appear on your map listing where most customers decide. Any other rating can still be useful on your website if it is real and current, but it does not replace reviews on your profile.

Plumbers get more Google reviews by asking every customer the same way, right after the problem is solved and the water is running. Have the technician mention it on site, then send a short text with your review link. Do not offer anything in return, and do not ask only the happy customers.

A plumber’s reviews work differently than a landscaper’s or a painter’s. Your customer called you at a bad moment, you fixed it, and the emotional high point is short. If you wait three weeks to ask, that feeling is gone.

Here is how to catch it.

What is the best moment to ask a plumbing customer?

The best moment is right after the relief. The water is back on, the drain is moving, the hot water is hot. That is when a person is most willing to write two sentences.

Job type	When to ask	How
Emergency repair	Within a few hours of finishing	Text, with a quick word from the tech
Drain cleaning	Same day	Text after payment
Water heater install	After a day or two of use	Text, so they can say it works
Repipe or remodel	After the final inspection or sign-off	Text, plus a mention at the walkthrough
Maintenance visit	After the visit	Text

Set one rule per job type and stick to it. Mixed timing makes it hard to build a habit.

What do you say in the text?

Short, warm, and specific to the job. Use the customer’s first name, say what you fixed, and give a direct link.

Emergency repair:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Tech] at [Business]. Glad we could get your [problem] sorted today. If you were happy with the service, a short Google review helps others in [town] find a plumber when they need one fast: [link]. Thanks. “

Drain or clog:

“ Hi [Name], thanks for calling [Business]. Is the drain moving the way it should? If so, a quick Google review would help a neighbor with the same problem find us: [link]. Thank you. “

Water heater replacement:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. How is the new water heater working? If you have a minute, a short Google review about the install would help other homeowners: [link]. Thanks again. “

Rules around business texting change, so confirm current requirements for your setup. In practice: get consent when you collect the number, honor STOP at once, register your number where carriers require it, and send only what the customer would find useful.

What should the review mention?

Plumbing reviews are best when they mention the problem and the experience. “Showed up when they said, explained what happened, cleaned up” is more useful to the next person than “Great service.”

You cannot script it, but you can nudge it with a question in the text, such as “What was the issue and how did we do?” Do not write the review for them and do not paste in suggested wording.

Which parts of plumbing generate the best reviews?

Think about what customers worry about, and make sure those moments go well, because that is what gets mentioned.

• Arrival time. Call if you are running late. Customers write about that.
• Price clarity. Tell them the price before you start. Surprise bills show up in one-star reviews.
• Cleanup. Floors, shoe covers, wiping down the work area.
• Explanation. Show them the old part. Say what failed.

Those four things are not marketing tricks. They are what reviews get written about, so a good job on them makes the ask easy.

What rules must you follow?

Google’s policies are clear. Reviews must reflect genuine experiences, and Google removes paid or incentivized reviews, reviews posted at one person’s request through multiple accounts, and selectively soliciting only positive ones.

• Ask everyone the same way.
• Do not offer discounts, gifts or entries for reviews.
• Do not route unhappy customers to a private form while sending happy ones to Google.
• Do not post reviews yourself or ask employees to post as customers.

If a customer is unhappy, call them. If they leave a critical review afterward, that is allowed and you can reply.

How should a plumber answer reviews?

Keep replies short, polite and specific.

• Positive: “Thanks, Marcus. Glad the water heater is running well. Call us any time.”
• Critical about price: “We are sorry the final bill surprised you. We should have confirmed the added work before starting. Please call me so I can go over it.”
• Critical and unfair: Reply calmly with facts. If you believe the review is fake, use the flag option on it and follow Google’s process. Results vary.

For more on this, see the Google reviews guide for contractors and our post on handling difficult clients before bad reviews.

What does a small plumbing shop gain from this?

Here is a labeled hypothetical. Say you run three trucks and close about forty jobs a week. If you ask every customer and one in ten leaves a review, that is about four new reviews a week, or a few hundred in a year. Your own rate will differ, and it depends on timing and how easy you make it. The point is the habit: ask every time.

A simple weekly routine

1. Each Friday, check closed jobs and make sure each one got the text.
2. Reply to new reviews within a couple of days.
3. Note any problems mentioned and fix them.

Want this automated?

You can do all of this yourself. If you would rather not, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month. For the bigger picture, see how we think about plumbing marketing.

Common questions

Should the technician or the office send the review request?

Have the technician set it up at the door with one sentence, then let the office or an automatic text send the link. Customers respond to the person who fixed the problem, but technicians forget. A system that fires after every closed job is more reliable than memory.

What about customers who were upset about the bill?

Ask them the same way as everyone else, and do not filter. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews. If a customer is unhappy, try to fix it first by calling them. If they still leave a critical review, reply politely and factually.

Can I ask landlords and property managers for reviews?

Yes, if they hired you and had a real experience. They often send repeat work, so a review from one is valuable. Ask the same way you ask homeowners, and let them describe the work in their own words.

How soon after the job should I ask?

For urgent repairs, shortly after you finish, while the relief is fresh. For installs like a water heater, wait until the unit has run for a day or two. In both cases, pick one timing for each job type and use it for every customer.

Roofers get more Google reviews by asking every customer, the same way, right after the job is finished and the yard is clean. Send a short text with your review link to the person who signed, not just the one who was home. Never offer anything in return, and never ask only the happy ones.

A roof is a big, visible decision. Homeowners comparing roofers look for proof that you finish what you start, keep the yard clean, and answer the phone. Reviews are where they look for it.

The trick for roofers is timing. You do not see the customer every week, the job is short, and the best moment to ask is easy to miss.

When is the right moment to ask a roofing customer?

It depends on the job. Use this table as a starting point and write your own version.

Job	Best moment	Why
Full replacement	After the final walkthrough, with cleanup done	The homeowner has just looked at a finished roof
Repair	After the next rain, if the leak was the problem	Dry ceilings are the proof
Storm damage	After the work is done and the claim paperwork is out of the way	Keeps the review about your work
Small fix (a few shingles, a boot)	Same day by text	Quick job, quick ask

For a leak repair, a text after the first rain that stays dry gets the strongest reviews, because the customer has a reason to be grateful. For a replacement, ask before the crew trucks leave the street, so the memory is fresh.

What do you text a customer?

Keep it short, personal, and easy to tap. Send it to the person who signed the contract, since they know the whole job.

Replacement:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Thanks for trusting us with your new roof. If you were happy with how the job went, a short Google review would help other homeowners find us: [link]. Thank you. “

Repair after a leak:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Did the ceiling stay dry in the last rain? If we fixed it for you, a quick Google review helps a neighbor with the same problem find us: [link]. Thanks. “

Storm job:

“ Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] at [Business]. Your roof is done and the yard is cleaned up. If you have a minute, a Google review about how it went helps others in [town] choose a roofer: [link]. Thank you. “

Rules on business texting change over time, so confirm current requirements for your setup. Day to day, that means getting permission when you collect a number, honoring STOP right away, registering your number where carriers require it, and sending only messages the customer would want.

What should the review say?

You cannot write it for them, and you should not try. You can make it easier by asking a question instead of a script. “How was the cleanup?” or “Was the crew on time?” gives people something concrete to write about. Reviews that mention the town, the roof type, or the crew are more useful to the next buyer than “Great job.”

What are the rules you cannot break?

Google’s policies say reviews must come from real experiences. Three lines never to cross:

1. No gating. Do not ask only the customers you think are happy, and do not send unhappy ones to a private form instead. Ask everyone the same way.
2. No rewards. Gift cards, discounts and entries in a drawing are all out. Paid or incentivized reviews are on Google’s removal list.
3. No stacking. Do not ask one person to post from several accounts, and do not post reviews yourself.

If you cannot ask everyone, ask the next ten jobs, in order, no exceptions.

How can a small roofing company stay consistent?

Build the ask into the last step of the job, not into your memory.

1. Add a line to your job-close checklist: “Send review text.”
2. Keep your review link saved in your phone as a text shortcut.
3. Have the crew lead tell the homeowner at the walkthrough: “You will get a text from us in a few minutes.”
4. Once a week, check which closed jobs have not been asked.

Here is a labeled hypothetical. Say you finish eight jobs a month and ask every one. If two of them reply, that is about two dozen reviews in a year. Your replies will differ, but the count only grows if the ask happens every time. See how we think about the best time to ask.

How should you respond to a roofing review?

Reply to all of them, short and human.

• Good review: Thank them by name and mention the job. “Thanks, Dana. Glad the new roof looks good from the street.”
• Fair complaint: Acknowledge it, say what you will do, and offer a call. “We are sorry the start date moved. Weather pushed us back two days. I will call you today.”
• Unfair or fake review: Reply calmly, then use the flag option and follow Google’s process. Results vary.

Our guide to Google reviews for contractors goes deeper on replies, and the roofing page shows how this fits the rest of your marketing.

What if you want this to run on its own?

You can do all of this by hand. If you would rather not, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, month to month.

Common questions

Who should ask for the review, me or the office?

Whoever the customer already trusts. For a replacement, that is usually the owner or project lead at the final walkthrough, with the office following up by text. Pick one process, write it down, and use it for every job so the ask is consistent.

What if the homeowner is happy but forgets to leave the review?

Send one friendly reminder a few days later, then stop. Asking twice is normal. Asking five times feels like pressure. Keep the same reminder for every customer so nobody gets treated differently, and never attach a discount or gift to it.

Can I ask the insurance adjuster or the real estate agent for a review?

Only if they were a customer of your service and had a real experience with you. Google says reviews must reflect genuine experiences. A review from someone who did not hire you, or one written at your request through several accounts, is exactly what Google removes.

How should I answer a review that complains about a delay?

Reply politely, state the facts briefly, and offer to talk offline. Weather delays are common in roofing and most homeowners understand a clear explanation. Never argue. Future customers read your reply as much as the complaint.

A useful Google review names the job that was done, roughly where, and one real detail about how it went, such as whether the crew showed up on time, kept the site clean, or explained the price. You can invite that detail with a neutral prompt. You cannot script the review, steer the rating, or reward it.

Plenty of reviews a contractor gets say some version of “Great job, highly recommend.” That is nice to read. It does very little for the next homeowner, who still cannot tell what you did, where you did it, or what it was like to have you on site.

The reviews that do the most work are specific. Here is what that looks like, and how to invite it without crossing a line.

What makes a Google review useful to the next homeowner?

A person comparing three contractors reads reviews to answer questions they cannot ask you directly:

• Do they do the kind of job I need?
• Do they work near me?
• Did they show up when they said they would?
• Was the price what they quoted?
• Did they clean up?

A review that answers even one of those is doing the job of a referral. Here is the breakdown.

Part of a review	What it tells the reader	Made-up example
The job	You do this kind of work	“Replaced our failed water heater”
The place	You work in my area	“in Riverton”
One detail	What it was like to hire you	“Arrived in the window they gave us”
The outcome	Whether it held up	“No leaks since”

You do not need all four. One real detail is enough to separate a review from a hundred others.

What does a thin review look like next to a useful one?

These are made-up examples for illustration, not real customers.

Trade	Thin	Useful
Roofing	“Very professional, would recommend.”	“They replaced the flashing around our chimney in Riverton after a leak showed up in the ceiling. Showed photos of the old flashing before and after.”
Plumbing	“Fast and friendly.”	“Called in the morning about a burst pipe under the kitchen sink. Plumber was there the same afternoon and explained the repair before starting.”
Landscaping	“Yard looks great.”	“They cleaned up the front beds and put in new mulch. Crew was done in one day and hauled everything away.”

Notice that none of the useful ones include a boast. They describe what happened.

Do the words in a review help you rank in search?

Possibly, but nobody outside Google can tell you how much, and Google does not publish the full recipe for local results. Do not treat review wording as a trick.

The surer benefit is for the reader. When someone searches “roof repair” plus your town and opens your profile, the review text sits right next to your name. A review that mentions the job and the town reads as proof that you do that work there. Write for the person reading, and any search benefit is a bonus.

What is a one-line prompt you can send customers?

You want to invite detail without writing the review for them. Here is a template you can copy and edit.

Thanks again for having us out. If you have a minute, a short Google review about how the job went, in your own words, helps your neighbors choose. [review link]

Why this version works:

• “how the job went” invites an account of what happened, not a score.
• “in your own words” keeps the review theirs.
• It goes to every customer. Nothing in it depends on whether they seemed happy.

What it leaves out on purpose: a requested rating, suggested wording, a discount or gift, and the phrase “if you were happy.”

If you want a second line, this one is safe: “It helps if you mention what we did for you.” That points at the job without supplying the sentence. You can find your link in our guide to getting your Google review link and QR code.

What does Google not allow?

According to Google’s policy on fake engagement, reviews must reflect genuine experiences. Google removes reviews not based on a genuine experience, paid or incentivized reviews, and reviews posted at one person’s request through multiple accounts. Selectively asking only for positive reviews, or discouraging negative ones, is prohibited too.

In practice for you:

1. Do not write reviews for customers, or give them text to paste.
2. Do not pay, discount, or enter people in a drawing for a review.
3. Do not ask only the customers who seemed happy.
4. Ask everyone the same way, every time.

Our post on whether review gating is allowed on Google goes deeper on the third point.

How can your reply make a thin review more useful?

You cannot edit a customer’s review, but you can reply to it. Owners can respond, and a reply stays visible under the review.

A reply can add the specifics the review left out, in your own words:

Thanks, Dana. Glad the water heater swap went smoothly. We’re here in Riverton for any plumbing questions down the road.

Rules for replies: use only what the customer already made public, keep it short, and leave out addresses and anything private. For a bad review, see how to respond to a bad Google review.

A checklist to use this week

1. Open your profile and read your last ten reviews. Count how many name a job.
2. Save the one-line prompt above as a text template on your phone.
3. Send it to every customer after every finished job, the same day.
4. Reply to each new review within a couple of days.
5. Once a month, reread the new reviews. If they are all thin, your prompt may be too vague or you may be asking too late.

For timing, read the best time to ask a customer for a review. If you would rather not send these by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan, and the same wording works either way.

Common questions

Does a Google review need to be long to be useful?

No. Two or three sentences that name the job and one real detail beat a paragraph of general praise. A homeowner skimming your profile on a phone wants to know what you did and how it went. Short and specific works. Do not ask customers to write more than they want to.

Can I ask customers to mention the service and the town in their review?

Ask them to describe the job in their own words and leave it there. Handing a customer the words you want to see turns their experience into your script, and Google says reviews must reflect a genuine experience. Describing the job usually brings out the service and the place without any coaching.

What if a customer asks me what to write?

Tell them to write what happened, in their own words. You can offer a few neutral questions, such as what the job was and how the crew did on timing and cleanup. Do not write the review for them, suggest a rating, or draft something for them to paste. Their words need to be theirs.

Can I write my own reply to make a thin review more useful?

Yes. Owners can respond to reviews, and a reply can name the job and the area in your own words, which gives the next reader more to go on. Keep it honest and short, use only what the customer already made public, and never put an address or private details in a public reply.

Your Google review link is a web address that opens the review box for your business. You can usually find it from your Business Profile, where Google offers a way to share a review request. Paste that link into any free QR code maker to get a scannable code.

A review link takes a customer from “sure, I’ll do it later” to the actual review box in one tap. Later usually means never. So the link is worth ten minutes of setup.

What is a Google review link?

It is a web address. When someone opens it on a phone, it takes them straight to the place where they can write a review for your business, instead of making them search for you, find your listing, and hunt for the button.

That is the whole point. Every step you remove raises the odds that a happy customer finishes.

How do you find your Google review link?

Google moves things around, so the exact menu names change over time. In general:

1. Sign in to the Google account that manages your Business Profile.
2. Open your profile. You can search for your business name on Google while signed in, or open your Business Profile manager.
3. Look for an option to get more reviews, ask for reviews, or share a review form. It usually gives you a link you can copy and share.
4. Copy it.

If you do not see it, check Google’s Business Profile help pages and search for how to share a review link. We are not going to give you click-by-click steps that may be out of date next month. If you cannot find it, that is a sign to check the account is the one that owns the profile.

How do you check that it works?

Do not skip this step. A broken link on 500 printed cards is an expensive mistake.

• Open the link on your own phone.
• Then open it in a private or incognito window, and on a second phone if you have one.
• Confirm it lands on the review box for your business, with your business name and the right location.
• Confirm you can get to the star selection and text box. You do not have to post a review to test.

Write down where you found the link and the date. If Google changes it, you will know what to check.

How do you make a QR code from it?

Any free QR code generator works. The steps are the same everywhere:

1. Choose the “link” or “URL” option.
2. Paste your review link.
3. Download the image, ideally in a high-resolution or vector format so it stays sharp when printed.
4. Scan it with two different phones before you use it.

A few practical points:

• Pick a generator that makes a static code, one that carries your link directly. Some tools route the code through their own server, and those can stop working if an account or a subscription ends. Read what the tool says before you rely on it.
• Keep the code big enough to scan from a normal distance. A tiny code on a business card back is fine at arm’s length, but a truck door needs a much larger one.
• Leave a blank border around the code. Crowding it with text or graphics can make it hard to scan.
• Print one test copy and scan it in the actual place you will use it, including in poor light.

Where should you put it?

Place	Why it works	Watch out
Invoice or receipt	Customer already has it in hand at the end of the job	Add the short link too, for people who cannot scan a PDF
Thank-you card left at the job	A personal moment, and it is physical	Test the scan on the printed card
Back of your business card	Costs nothing extra	Small, so keep the code large enough
Yard sign after the job (with permission)	Neighbors see it	Do not crowd the sign; the code may be too small to scan from the street
Text or email	The easiest route: no scan needed	Send the link itself, not the QR image

For a text, skip the QR code and send the link. Someone reading on their phone cannot scan their own screen. Wording that works:

Hi [Name], [Your Name] with [Company]. Thanks for having us out. If you have a minute, here is where to leave a quick review: [Review link]

What do you say next to the code?

One plain line. Something like “Tell us how we did,” and the link in text underneath. Keep it neutral.

Do not add “Only if you’re happy” or “Have a problem? Call us first.” That is review gating, and Google prohibits selectively soliciting only positive reviews or discouraging negative ones, per its review policy. Do not add a discount or a raffle for scanning either. Google removes paid or incentivized reviews.

The safe version: same card, same code, same words for every customer. For more on the line between asking and gating, see is review gating allowed on Google.

Checklist before you print

1. Link copied from the account that owns the profile
2. Link opens the right business on two phones
3. QR code made as a static code and tested on two phones
4. One neutral line of text and the written link under the code
5. No discount, gift, or “if you’re happy” wording
6. A test print scanned in the place you will use it

How does this fit with asking?

The link is only half of it. The other half is the timing: see the best time to ask a customer for a review. And for message wording, text templates for asking for Google reviews have copy you can paste.

If you would rather not paste the link into texts by hand, automatic Google review requests are part of the Builders Presence plan at Builders Presence. Either way, the link and the habit are what count.

Common questions

Why does my review link ask people to sign in?

Posting a Google review generally requires the reviewer to be signed in to a Google account. That is normal and not a problem with your link. Tell customers up front, so a customer who is not signed in is not surprised, and keep the request short so the extra step does not lose them.

Can I offer a discount for scanning the QR code?

No. Google prohibits paid or incentivized reviews, and a discount for leaving a review counts. Put the code on your materials with a plain line like “Tell us how we did,” and leave it there. Do not reward scans, and do not ask only some customers.

Will the QR code stop working if I change the link?

A static QR code carries the exact web address you gave it, so if the address changes, an old printed code may no longer work. Test any printed code before you order a big batch, and check it again if you change how your profile is set up.

Where should the QR code go on my paperwork?

Put it where customers already look at the end of a job: the invoice, the estimate copy you leave behind, a thank-you card, or the back of a business card. Add one line of text and the short link under the code, so people without a scanner can still type it.

Ask right after the job is finished and the customer has seen the result, ideally the same day, while the work is fresh. Send a text with your review link, and ask every customer the same way. Google publishes no official best time, so this is field practice, not a rule.

The best time to ask is the moment the customer is looking at finished work and feeling the relief of having it done. That moment does not last. By the next weekend, they are back to their own life and your request is a chore.

When exactly is the right moment?

Think of three windows, in order of how well they work in the field.

Window	What it looks like	Why it works
At the final walkthrough	You say it out loud: “I’ll text you a link, it helps us a lot.”	They are standing in front of the result.
Same day, within a few hours	The text arrives before you have left the driveway or that evening.	The job is still the most interesting thing that happened to them today.
The next morning	A text sent after they have lived with the work one night.	Good for jobs where the result shows up after you leave, like a furnace or a paint cure.

If you have to pick one, pick the same-day text. Do not wait for the invoice to be paid or for the season to end. Those delays are why most requests never go out.

What does “the job is finished” mean?

This is where contractors sometimes go wrong. Ask when the work is actually done: punch list closed, site cleaned up, questions answered. Asking in the middle of a job invites a review about the mess and the schedule, not the result.

Then hold this line: ask every customer, the same way. Do not sort people into “ask” and “skip” piles by how happy you think they are. Google prohibits selectively soliciting only positive reviews or discouraging negative ones, as its review policy states. If a customer is upset, the answer is to fix it and still make the same request.

What should you say?

Copy and paste these. Swap the bracketed parts.

In person, at the walkthrough:

“Glad that’s all set. I’m going to text you a link in a few minutes. If you’re happy with the work, a short Google review really helps a small company like ours.”

Same-day text:

Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] with [Company]. Thanks again for having us out today. If you have a minute, could you leave a quick review of the job? It helps other homeowners find us. [Review link]

One reminder, a few days later, only if there is no review yet:

Hi [Name], [Your Name] here. No pressure at all, just a friendly nudge on the review link from the other day. Thanks again for the work. [Review link]

Notice what is not there: no discount, no gift, and no line like “only if you’re 100% satisfied.” That would be gating. If you need the link itself, we cover it in how to get your Google review link and QR code.

Does timing change by trade?

Yes, because the moment of “it’s done” is different.

• Emergency plumbers: the relief moment is real, but they are stressed and on a bad day. Fix the leak, leave the place clean, and send the text that evening or next morning.
• Roofers: wait for the final cleanup and walkthrough, then text the same day. Roof work is hard for homeowners to see, so pictures in the text help them remember what was done.
• HVAC: ask once the system has run and the house is comfortable. On install jobs, the next day works because they have felt the difference.
• Painters: ask after the final walkthrough and touch-ups, not after the first coat. Give them a day in the room first if you can.
• Landscapers: for a one-time install, ask once the plants have settled and they have seen it in daylight. For recurring mowing, ask after a few visits, not on day one.
• Remodelers: long jobs run past a single moment. Ask after the last punch-list item closes, and consider a second check-in after they have lived in the space for a week or two.

What about texting rules?

Rules for business texting change, so confirm the current requirements for your setup. In the U.S., carriers require registration for business texts sent from local 10-digit numbers, as Twilio’s documentation explains. Beyond that, the operational basics are simple:

• Get the customer’s okay to text them, for example when they give you their number to schedule the job.
• Honor STOP right away.
• Register your number where registration is required.
• Keep the message useful and short.

How do you make it a habit?

A system beats memory. Add “review request sent” to your job-complete checklist, the same line as “invoice sent.” Then track how many you send.

If you would like the request to go out automatically after each job, automatic Google review requests are included in the Builders Presence plan at Builders Presence. Either way, the timing rule is the same: right after the work, every customer, one reminder.

To set a target, see how many Google reviews a contractor needs. For the full system, the Google reviews for contractors guide covers asking, responding, and handling bad ones.

Common questions

Should I ask for the review in person or by text?

Do both, in that order. A short in-person mention at the final walkthrough sets the expectation, and the text right after gives them the link to act on. A verbal request alone leaves the customer with nothing to tap, so the text does the real work.

How long should I wait before sending a reminder?

A few days is a reasonable gap for one reminder, then stop. One gentle nudge respects the customer and catches people who meant to do it. More than that starts to feel like pressure. Send the same single reminder to every customer, not only the ones you think were happy.

What if the customer had a problem with the job?

Fix the problem first, and finish the job properly. Then ask, the same way you ask everyone. Do not skip unhappy customers and do not steer them elsewhere. Google prohibits selectively soliciting only positive reviews, and a fixed problem handled well can make a strong review.

Is it okay to give a discount for leaving a review?

No. Google removes paid or incentivized reviews. Do not offer discounts, gifts, or entries into a drawing in exchange for a review. Thank people sincerely and keep the request simple. That protects your profile from having reviews removed.