How to Turn Google Reviews Into More Business

Google Reviews can make or break your business. When potential customers search for your business online, they don’t just look at your website—they check your reviews. In fact, 90% of consumers read reviews before making a purchasing decision, and businesses with higher ratings get more clicks, leads, and sales.

So, how can you get more Google reviews without coming across as pushy or violating Google’s policies? Let’s break it down step by step.

Why Google Reviews Matter

Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Why are Google Reviews so important?

✅ They Build Trust – People trust real customer feedback more than marketing messages.

✅ They Improve SEO & Local Rankings – More positive reviews help you rank higher in Google search and Google Maps.

✅ They Influence Buying Decisions – A 4.5-star rating vs. a 3-star rating can be the deciding factor for a customer choosing between you and a competitor.

✅ They Provide Valuable Feedback – Honest reviews help you understand what you’re doing well and where you can improve.

Now that we know why Google reviews are crucial, let’s talk about how to get more of them—without breaking any rules.

Step 1: Claim & Verify Your Google Business Profile

Before you start collecting reviews, you need to make sure you own and manage your Google Business Profile (GBP).

How to Do It:

Go to Google Business Profile.
Click Manage Now and search for your business.
If your business is listed, claim it and go through the verification process.
If it’s not listed, create a new profile and add your business details.
Verify your business through a postcard, phone call, or email.

Without a verified profile, customers can’t leave reviews, and you can’t respond to them—so this step is a must.

Step 2: Create a Direct Link to Your Google Reviews Page

The easier you make it for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do it.

How to Find Your Review Link:

Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard.
Click on “Get more reviews.”
Copy the direct link that Google provides.
Use a URL shortener (like Bit.ly) to make the link look cleaner.

💡 Pro Tip: Add this link to your email signature, website, invoices, and social media pages to make it easy for customers to find.

Step 3: Ask at the Right Time (And in the Right Way)

Timing is everything when it comes to asking for reviews. The best time to ask is when a customer is happy and engaged with your product or service.

Best Times to Ask for a Review:

✔️ Right after a successful purchase or service
✔️ When a customer compliments your business
✔️ After a positive interaction or customer support resolution

How to Ask for a Review (Without Being Pushy):

Be Direct, But Friendly – “Hey [Customer’s Name], we’re so happy you enjoyed your experience! Would you mind leaving us a quick review? It would mean a lot!”
Make It Easy – “Here’s the direct link to leave a review: [Insert Review Link]. It takes just 30 seconds!”
Personalize It – Address the customer by name and reference their specific experience.

💡 Pro Tip: If you have a sales or support team, train them to ask for reviews in person at the right moments.

Step 4: Use Email & SMS to Request Reviews

Not everyone will leave a review on the spot, so a follow-up message can help.

Example Email Template:

Subject: [Customer’s Name], We’d Love Your Feedback!

Hi [Customer’s Name],

Thank you for choosing [Your Business Name]! We’d love to hear about your experience. Would you take 30 seconds to leave us a quick Google review?

👉 [Insert Google Review Link]

Your feedback helps us improve and helps others discover [Your Business Name]. Thanks for your time—we truly appreciate it!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Business Name]

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your emails short, personal, and to the point.

Your social media audience is already engaged with your brand, making it a great place to ask for reviews.

How to Do It:

✅ Post a thank-you message and include a review request.
✅ Add a “Leave a Review” button on your Facebook page.
✅ Create a highlighted story on Instagram with the review link.

💡 Pro Tip: Share existing 5-star reviews on your social media pages to encourage others to leave their own!

Step 6: Respond to Every Review (Good or Bad!)

Customers notice when businesses respond to reviews, and Google rewards engagement.

How to Respond to Reviews:

✔️ For Positive Reviews: Say thank you, mention their feedback, and show appreciation.
✔️ For Negative Reviews: Apologize for their experience, offer to resolve the issue, and take the conversation offline if necessary.

Example Response to a Positive Review:
“Thank you, [Customer’s Name]! We’re so glad you had a great experience. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again!”

Example Response to a Negative Review:
“We’re sorry to hear about your experience, [Customer’s Name]. We’d love to make things right—please reach out to us at [Your Contact Info] so we can help!”

💡 Pro Tip: Never argue with negative reviewers. Stay professional and polite—future customers are watching!

Make Google Reviews a Habit

Getting more Google reviews isn’t just about improving your star rating—it’s about building trust, increasing visibility, and winning more customers.

✅ Make it easy for customers to leave a review
✅ Ask at the right moment
✅ Use email, SMS, and social media
✅ Respond to every review—good or bad

At Cobblestone Marketing, we help businesses like yours boost online reputation, manage reviews, and improve local SEO.

📞 Need help with your Google review strategy? Contact us today and let’s start building your 5-star reputation.

How to Get More Google Reviews (The Right Way)