Review Request Checklist
Most trade businesses do great work but ask for reviews inconsistently. This 10-step checklist gives you and your team a professional system for collecting 5-star Google reviews after every successful visit.
What's included
- The optimal timing for asking customers for reviews
- Personalised SMS template with direct Google review link
- Follow-up sequence (when and how to chase)
- How to respond to positive and negative reviews
- Sharing reviews on social media for maximum reach
- Adding your review link to invoices and email signatures
- Physical review card template for on-site use
- Photo request script to use alongside the review ask
Preview: first 5 steps
Ask within 24 hours of job completion
The best time to ask is when the customer's satisfaction is highest: immediately after the job is done and they can see the result. Don't leave it more than 24 hours.
Source: Footbridge Media: When Is the Best Time to Ask a Customer for a Review? (27 January 2026)
Send a personalised SMS with direct Google review link
Use the customer's first name and mention the specific job: "Hi Sarah, great to finish your consumer unit today. If you have 2 minutes, a Google review would mean the world: [link]".
Follow up once if no response after 3 days
One polite follow-up is fine. Two is too many. Keep it short: "Just following up on the review request, no worries if you're too busy!"
Respond to every review, positive and negative
Google's own local-ranking guidance names replying to reviews as one of the ways to improve your local ranking, alongside review volume and positive ratings. Thank positive reviewers by name. For negatives, respond calmly and offer to resolve offline. Other customers will read how you handle it.
Source: Google Business Profile Help: Tips to improve your local ranking
Share 5-star reviews on social media
Screenshot reviews and share on Instagram and Facebook. This shows social proof to prospective customers and encourages others to leave reviews too.
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Sources
Every figure on this page is attributed to the sources below, checked 5 August 2026.