Review count and rating affect your map-pack ranking, your paid ad click-through rate and your quote close rate simultaneously. It is one marketing activity that can help more than one channel.
The system
- 1Ask on site, before you leave
"If you were happy with today, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? I'll text you the link now." Say it out loud, in person.
- 2Send the link within 60 seconds
Use a short direct review link. Every extra tap loses reviews.
- 3One reminder, 48 hours later
Friendly, short, and then stop. Two asks is plenty.
- 4Respond to every review
Including the bad ones, calmly and factually. Prospects read the responses closely.
- 5Track it weekly
Reviews per job completed is the metric. Aim for one in three.
Never offer an incentive for reviews
Paying for or incentivising reviews breaches Google's policies and Australian Consumer Law expectations around genuine testimonials. It also risks your whole profile. Ask well instead — it works better anyway.
What good looks like
| Business stage | Review count | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | 0–20 | Ads carry all the trust burden |
| Established | 50–100 | Map-pack visibility improves noticeably |
| Dominant | 150+ at 4.8+ | Usually converts better than a low-review competitor |
Handling a bad review
- Respond within 24 hours, publicly and without defensiveness
- State the facts briefly, offer to resolve it offline, give a direct contact
- Never argue details or blame the customer in public
- Then get back to collecting good ones — volume dilutes a single bad review fast
Frequently asked questions
Want this working for your business?
Tell us your trade and area. We'll look at the search demand in your area, explain how pricing works, and tell you honestly whether we can help.
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