The easiest way is to ask in person right after the job while the customer is happy, then follow up with a direct Google review link by text. Keep it short: "Really appreciate you having us out. If you've got 30 seconds, a quick Google review helps other locals find us." Send the link within an hour so it is still top of mind.
Key takeaways
- Ask in person at the end of the job while the result is fresh and the customer is satisfied.
- Follow up within one hour with a short text containing your direct Google review link.
- Keep the ask under two sentences, be specific about what helped ("a quick Google review"), and never offer incentives.
- Automate the follow-up text through your job management app so you never forget.
- A steady trickle of authentic reviews beats a batch of 20 in one week, which Google may flag.
The simplest approach is a two-step ask: say it face to face while you are still on site, then send a short text with your direct Google review link within an hour. Most customers are happy to leave a review. They just need to be asked at the right moment, in the right way, with minimum friction.
Why the end-of-job moment is the one that counts
The customer's willingness to write a review drops sharply with time. Industry benchmarks (BrightLocal 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey) show 76% of consumers who are asked to leave a review go on to do so, but the ask must come within 24 hours of the experience. For trade work, the window is even tighter: once the tradie leaves and the customer moves on with their day, the job fades into the background.
The end-of-job walkthrough is the natural moment. You are both standing in front of the finished work, the customer can see what you have done, and you are already in conversation. A simple, genuine ask here converts better than any follow-up email a week later. For a broader strategy on growing your review count over time, see our guide on getting more Google reviews without nagging.
Word-for-word scripts that actually work
These scripts are tested and natural. Adjust the tone to match how you actually talk.
The in-person ask (at the door or during the walkthrough)
"Really appreciate you having us out. If you've got 30 seconds later today, a quick Google review helps other locals find us. I'll text you the link so you don't have to search for it."
Why it works: it is short, it tells the customer exactly what to do, and it removes the friction of finding your listing. The "30 seconds" framing lowers the perceived effort.
The follow-up text (within one hour)
"Hi [first name], thanks again for today. Here's the link if you get a chance: [direct Google review link]. No worries either way. Cheers, [your name]"
Why it works: it arrives while the job is still fresh, it is personal (first name, not "Dear Customer"), and "no worries either way" removes any pressure. The direct link opens the review box in one tap.
The email follow-up (optional, 2 to 3 days later if no text response)
"Hi [first name], just following up on the [job type] we finished on [date]. Hope everything is holding up well. If you have a moment, a Google review really helps: [link]. Thanks again for choosing [business name]."
Keep it to one follow-up. Sending three reminders turns a polite ask into nagging.
How to automate review requests without losing the personal touch
The biggest reason tradies stop asking for reviews is not awkwardness. It is forgetting. After a 10-hour day, sending a text to every finished job drops off the list. That is where automation earns its keep. An AI receptionist can handle the text follow-up alongside missed call capture, so the review request is part of a wider system, not another thing on your list.
Most job management apps (ServiceM8, Tradify, simPRO, AroFlo, Fergus) can trigger an SMS or email automatically when you mark a job as complete. If you are weighing up which platform handles automations best, our ServiceM8 vs Tradify comparison covers the differences. Set the template once, personalise it with merge fields (customer name, job type, your name), and every finished job gets a review request without you thinking about it.
Setting up automated review requests
- Get your direct Google review link: search your business on Google, click "Ask for reviews" in your Google Business Profile, and copy the short link.
- In your job management app, create a post-completion SMS template using the follow-up script above.
- Set the trigger to fire 1 to 2 hours after job completion (a practical window that balances recency with giving the customer time to inspect the work).
- Test it on yourself first. Open the link on your phone and check it goes straight to the review box.
What not to do (and what Google flags)
Google's review policies are clear on what trips a penalty, and the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) adds another layer. Getting it wrong can cost you the reviews you have already earned.
Do
- Ask every customer, not just the ones you think will leave five stars
- Use a direct link so the customer does not have to search
- Space your asks across jobs (a natural trickle, not a batch)
- Respond to every review, positive and negative, briefly and professionally
Don't
- Offer discounts, gift cards, or any incentive in exchange for a review (Google prohibits it, and the ACL treats incentivised reviews as potentially misleading conduct under s18)
- Ask customers to leave a review "on a specific topic" or coach the wording
- Batch 20 review requests in one afternoon after months of silence (Google's algorithm detects velocity spikes)
- Gate reviews by asking for a rating first and only sending happy customers to Google (this is review gating, and Google's policies prohibit it)
- Buy or generate fake reviews (ACL s29, up to $100 million per contravention for corporations, directional statutory maximum for conduct on or after 28/03/2026)
How many reviews do you actually need?
More is better, but consistency matters more than count. BrightLocal's 2024 data shows the median local business has 20 to 30 Google reviews. Trades with 40 or more and a rating above 4.5 stars tend to dominate the local 3-pack. But Google weights recency heavily: 10 reviews in the last 3 months beats 50 reviews that stopped 2 years ago.
If you are finishing 15 to 25 jobs a month (a common range for a small trade crew with 2 to 5 people) and converting 20 to 30% of asks into reviews (a conservative benchmark), you are adding 3 to 8 reviews a month. That is enough to build and maintain a strong local position inside 6 to 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask for a review in person or by text?
Both. The in-person ask plants the seed and shows you value their opinion. The follow-up text gives them the link so they can do it when it suits them. The combination converts roughly double what either channel does alone.
Is it legal to offer a discount for a Google review in Australia?
Google's policies prohibit incentivised reviews outright, and the ACCC treats incentivised or selectively solicited reviews as potentially misleading under the Australian Consumer Law (s18). The safest approach is to ask every customer, offer nothing in return, and let the review speak for itself.
How do I get my direct Google review link?
Sign in to your Google Business Profile, click "Ask for reviews" (or "Get more reviews" depending on the interface), and copy the short link. This link opens directly to the review box on the customer's phone or browser.
What if a customer leaves a bad review?
Respond promptly and professionally. Acknowledge the concern, offer to resolve it offline, and keep the response short. A thoughtful reply to a negative review often builds more trust with future customers than the review itself takes away. Never ask the customer to remove it, and never retaliate.
Can I automate review requests from ServiceM8 or Tradify?
Yes. Most job management apps let you set up a post-completion SMS or email template that fires automatically when you mark a job as done. Set it to trigger shortly after completion and include your direct Google review link. The customer gets a timely, personal message without you having to remember.
Want review requests running on autopilot?
We build automated review request sequences that plug into your job management app and fire at exactly the right moment, every time. Book a free 15 minute discovery call and we can show you how it works for your trade.
Common questions
Should I ask for a review in person or by text?
Both. The in-person ask plants the seed. The follow-up text gives them the link.
Is it legal to offer a discount for a Google review in Australia?
Google prohibits incentivised reviews, and the ACCC treats them as potentially misleading under the ACL.
How do I get my direct Google review link?
Sign in to your Google Business Profile and click Ask for reviews to copy the short link.
What if a customer leaves a bad review?
Respond promptly and professionally, acknowledge the concern, and offer to resolve it offline.
Can I automate review requests from ServiceM8 or Tradify?
Yes. Set up a post-completion SMS template in your job management app with your direct Google review link.
Written by
Mitchell Cross
Founder, TradieBuddy AI
Mitchell Cross is the founder of TradieBuddy AI. He identifies the pain points and bottlenecks holding Australian trade businesses back and fixes them, improving profitability, efficiency and scalability. He builds the automations and systems that cut admin, capture missed leads, and connect a business's tools into one place, and writes these guides to share what actually moves the needle for tradies.
More from Mitchell Cross →