Ask at the Right Moment
Timing matters when asking for a review. The best moment is right after the customer expresses satisfaction - at the final walkthrough, when they compliment the work, or when they make the final payment.
Do not wait a month. The enthusiasm fades. Strike while the iron is hot and the experience is fresh in their mind.
Make It Stupidly Easy
If a customer has to search for your business on Google, figure out how to leave a review, and type something out from scratch, most will not bother.
Send a direct link to your Google review page via text message immediately after asking. One tap, leave a review, done. The easier you make it, the more reviews you get.
Respond to Every Review
When someone takes the time to leave a review, respond to it. A simple thank you shows you value customer feedback. It also shows future customers that you are engaged and professional.
And yes, respond to negative reviews too. A calm, professional response to criticism often impresses potential customers more than a wall of five-star ratings.
Build a Referral Habit
Do not just hope for referrals - build a system around them. After every job, ask if the customer knows anyone who might need similar work. Follow up with past customers periodically.
Some contractors offer a small thank-you gift or discount for successful referrals. Even a handwritten thank-you card goes a long way.
Use Reviews in Your Marketing
Your reviews are marketing gold. Feature them on your website, include them in proposals, and share them on social media. Real customer quotes carry more weight than anything you could say about yourself.
A potential customer reading "John showed up on time, communicated every step, and the work is beautiful" is worth more than any ad you could run.
Platform Solution
How myCT1 Business-in-a-Box Solves This
myCT1 makes collecting reviews part of your workflow. After a job is marked complete, the system can automatically send a review request to your customer with a direct link to your Google profile.
Every customer interaction is tracked in the CRM, so you always know the right time to ask. Our customer portal creates a professional experience that naturally leads to positive reviews.
The Forge AI tools help craft professional follow-up messages, and our contractor training platform includes modules on reputation building and referral strategies.