Expert Techniques to Boost Google Reviews

When a new client takes the Business Growth Package, one of the first things I work on is a plan to get them more Google reviews. Appearing in the local search results is the quickest and least expensive way to start generating new enquiries, but it only works if you have some five-star reviews to kick things off. Without them, you’re invisible.

Google Business Profile is a free tool for businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps. I set every client up with a verified profile because it’s the foundation everything else is built on - verifying and editing your business information helps customers find you, contact you, and learn what you’re about.

When people interact with your company, they can leave a review on your Google Business profile. But rather than sit back and hope, I’ve found there are specific, proactive measures you can take to keep the reviews flowing. I’ve tested all of these with my own clients.

That’s why I push every client to actively build their review count. Here are over a dozen techniques I use and recommend.

Grab Your Free Google Marketing Kit

Before anything else, I’d take advantage of the free Google Marketing Kit resources. Google provides customisable templates and tools you can use to create professional-looking promotional materials for your business. I’ve found the kit particularly useful for creative inspiration - there’s a gallery of successful campaigns from other businesses that’s worth browsing.

I’ll say this plainly: paying for reviews is an easy way to crash and burn your entire business. Don’t do it. I won’t do it for my clients and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Make It Effortless for Customers to Leave a Review

Include Your Review Link in Every Piece of Transactional Material

Every time I send an invoice or receipt to a client, I include a link to leave a Google review. I’ve added it to my email signature so it appears automatically every time I send an email. It’s a small thing, but it means the opportunity is always there. I tell my clients to do the same - it increases the visibility of your reviews and it shows your customers that you genuinely value their opinion.

Send Follow-up Emails After Every Transaction

Another technique I use is sending a follow-up email after every completed piece of work. In these emails, I include a direct link to my Google listing and I ask the customer to leave a review if they’re happy with the experience. I keep it short and genuine - no one wants to read a three-paragraph plea for a review. One sentence asking for their feedback, one link making it easy.

Use Social Media To Share Your Reviews

Social media is an excellent platform for promoting your Google reviews. I share positive reviews on my social media channels regularly, and I encourage my clients to do the same. When a customer sees their words featured on your social feed, they feel valued - and their network sees that real people are saying good things about your business. I’ve found that sharing reviews generates more reviews. People see others have left one and think “I should do that too.”

Respond to Every Single Review

I respond to every Google review I receive, whether it’s positive or negative. This shows that I’m paying attention and that I take customer feedback seriously. When I get a positive review, I thank the person specifically and mention something about the work I did for them. When I get a negative one - and they happen to everyone eventually - I take the conversation offline so I can resolve the issue privately and properly. A thoughtful response to a negative review can actually build more trust than ten positive ones.

Encourage Your Team to Leave Reviews

If you have employees or team members, I’d encourage them to leave reviews too. They know your business from the inside and their genuine perspective can be valuable. I’ve seen businesses offer small incentives like gift cards to get the ball rolling - just make sure the reviews are genuine and reflect real experience.

Run a Contest or Giveaway

Running a contest or giveaway can be an effective way to generate a batch of reviews in a short period. I’d promote the competition on your website and social media channels and ask participants to leave a review as part of the entry process. Just make sure you follow all of Google’s guidelines for running contests - I’ve seen businesses get caught out by ignoring the rules.

Partner with Complementary Businesses

I’m a big believer in partnering with other businesses in your area or industry. I promote their businesses and they promote mine. You can team up on social media, run joint giveaways, or simply recommend each other to your respective customers. Every one of those interactions is an opportunity for someone new to discover your business and leave a review.

Host an Event or Webinar

Hosting an event or webinar gets your business in front of new people. I’d promote the event on your website and social media, and I’d include a link to your Google listing in all the promotional materials. After the event, I follow up with attendees and ask them to leave a review. The personal connection from having met you in person makes them far more likely to take the time.

Make It Part of Your Regular Rhythm

Use Negative Reviews as Fuel for Improvement

Nobody enjoys getting a negative review, but I’ve learned to treat them as free consulting. Every negative review tells you something specific about where your business can improve. I use them as feedback to make changes and prevent the same issue happening again. Some of my best process improvements have come directly from a one-star review that stung at the time but was completely fair.

Track Your Progress Over Time

I keep track of my review count and average rating over time. It’s satisfying to see the numbers climb, but more importantly it tells me whether my efforts are actually working. I check weekly - how many new reviews did I get? What’s the average rating trending? If the numbers plateau, I know I need to adjust my approach.

Embed Google Reviews on Your Website

You can add a widget to your site that displays your most recent reviews, or you can showcase a selection of your strongest reviews on specific pages like your homepage or service pages. I do both.

Consider Professional Help If You Need It

If you’re struggling to get reviews or manage your online reputation, I can help. I work with clients on review generation strategies as part of my Business Growth Package. I help them build a system for getting more reviews, I show them how to respond to negative ones professionally, and I improve their overall online presence so the reviews have a platform that does them justice.

For comprehensive guidance on mastering local SEO and search rankings alongside your review strategy, I’ve written about the art of search engine optimisation in detail.