FlashBooked Blog

How to Get More Google Reviews as a Tradesman

Most happy customers would leave you a review. They just don't, because nobody asked at the right moment and nobody made it easy. Fix those two things and the reviews follow.

Adam O'Brien · 6 min read

The short answer to how to get more Google reviews as a tradesman: ask every customer, the same day the job is finished, with a direct link to your review form sent by text or WhatsApp. One short message, one reminder a few days later if they haven't done it, and that's it. No discounts, no picking only the happy ones.

That's the whole system. The rest of this post is the detail: how to get the link, what to say, what's not allowed under Google's rules and Irish law, and what to do when a bad one lands.

Why reviews matter for a trades business

When someone searches "plumber near me" or "electrician Galway", the map results are usually the first thing they see. Google says local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence, and that "more reviews and positive ratings can help your business's local ranking." Reviews aren't the only factor, but they're one of the few you can do something about this week.

They also do the selling for you. A customer comparing three trades they've never met will read the reviews before they ring anyone. A profile with a steady run of recent, specific reviews ("turned up when he said, left the place clean") answers the questions they'd otherwise ask on the phone.

Step 1: Get your review link (and QR code)

Asking someone to "search for us on Google and leave a review" loses most people at step one. Send them straight to the form instead.

According to Google's help pages, you open your Business Profile, select Read reviews, then Get more reviews. From there you can copy a short link or download a QR code. Google notes the QR code can currently only be generated from a computer browser, not your phone, so do it once at a desk and save both. If you haven't set up your profile yet, start with our guide to Google Business Profile for tradesmen in Ireland.

Then put the link everywhere a customer already looks: saved as a text template on your phone, at the bottom of your invoices and receipts, in your thank-you emails, and the QR code on a card you leave behind. Customers need to be signed in to a Google account to leave a review, which most Android users and plenty of iPhone users already are.

Step 2: Ask at the right moment

The best time to ask is when the customer is happiest, which is usually the moment the job is done: the heating is back on, the leak has stopped, the new kitchen lights work. Ask in person if it feels natural ("if you're happy with the job, a Google review would really help us, I'll send you the link"), then send the link before you've left the street.

Leave it a week and the moment has passed. They've moved on, and your message is one more thing in their phone.

Step 3: Send a short message they can act on

Keep it to a couple of lines, in your own words. Something like:

"Hi Mary, thanks again for today. If you were happy with the job, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It makes a big difference to a small business like ours. [link] Thanks, Adam"

Text or WhatsApp usually works better than email for this, because that's where most of your customer conversations already happen. If you run your enquiries through WhatsApp, a WhatsApp CRM lets you send it from the same chat the job started in.

If they haven't left one after three or four days, send one friendly reminder. Then leave it. Asking a third time starts to feel like pressure.

Step 4: Make it a habit, not a campaign

The tradespeople with the most reviews aren't the ones who did a big push once. They're the ones who ask after every single job. A steady trickle of recent reviews looks far more trustworthy to a new customer than forty reviews from three years ago and nothing since.

The easiest way to make it stick is to tie it to something you already do. If the job gets marked finished on your job sheet or the invoice goes out, the review request goes out too. That's exactly the kind of step a CRM for trades can send automatically, so it happens whether you remember or not.

What you're not allowed to do

This is where people get caught out. Google's policies on fake engagement say businesses must not:

• Offer incentives such as payment, discounts or free goods or services in exchange for a review, or for changing or removing a negative one. "€20 off if you leave us five stars" breaks the rules.
• Only ask happy customers or discourage negative reviews. Google calls this selectively soliciting positive reviews. Ask everyone the same way.
• Tell customers what to write, or set staff targets for a certain number of reviews.
• Post reviews with a conflict of interest, such as reviews from current or former employees.

Irish law matters too: the Consumer Rights Act 2022, in force since 28 November 2022, bans businesses from posting fake reviews or paying others to post them. The safe rule is simple: ask genuine customers for honest reviews, and never offer anything in return.

How to handle a bad review

Sooner or later one lands. You can't delete it yourself. If it breaks Google's policies (fake, abusive, or not from a real customer) you can flag it for Google to look at. Otherwise, reply.

Your reply is public and shows as coming from the business. Keep it calm, short and factual: thank them, acknowledge the problem, say what you've done or offered to do, and take the detail offline ("give me a ring on..."). Future customers read your reply as much as the review, and a reasonable answer to a complaint often reassures them more than another five stars. Google also points out that customers can change their review after reading your reply, so a fixed problem can turn into an updated rating.

Reply to the good ones too. A quick, personal thank you shows you're responsive, and it doesn't need a sales pitch.

Where FlashBooked fits

The hard part of getting reviews isn't the asking. It's remembering to ask after every job when you're already on to the next one. FlashBooked builds custom systems for Irish trades businesses that bring enquiries, quotes, jobs and follow-ups into one place, and a review request can be one of those follow-ups: the job is marked done, the customer gets your message and link, and a single reminder goes out if they haven't left one. Your words, your timing, sent every time.

Common questions

Can I give a customer a discount for leaving a Google review?

No. Google's policies say businesses must not offer incentives such as payment, discounts or free goods or services in exchange for a review, or for changing or removing a negative one. You can ask every customer for an honest review, you just can't reward them for it.

Can I only ask my happy customers for reviews?

Google's policies say businesses must not selectively solicit positive reviews or discourage negative ones. The safe habit is to ask every customer after every finished job, in the same way.

Do Google reviews help a trades business show up on Google Maps?

Google says local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help a business's local ranking. Reviews are one factor, not a guarantee.

Can I delete a bad Google review?

Not yourself. If a review breaks Google's content policies (for example it's fake or abusive) you can flag it for Google to look at. Otherwise the best move is a calm, helpful public reply. Customers can still change their review after reading your reply.