Why Google reviews matter for local visibility
Google reviews influence where you appear in the map pack and how many people click through to your business. They also build trust: people read reviews before calling or filling in a form. For tradespeople and service businesses in Bath and North East Somerset, a steady flow of genuine reviews can make a real difference to enquiries and jobs — particularly when combined with a solid local SEO Bath strategy that gets you ranking in the first place.
Ask at the right time
The best time to ask for a review is when the customer is happy - right after a completed job, a successful repair, or a positive follow-up. Don't wait weeks. Send a quick message or mention it in person while the experience is fresh. Make it easy: give them a direct link to your Google Business Profile review form so they don't have to search for it.
Make it easy with a direct link
Google provides a short link that takes customers straight to the review form for your business. Add it to your email signature, your job-completion messages, or a simple "Leave us a review" page on your website. The fewer steps between "I'll leave a review" and actually leaving one, the more reviews you'll get.
To make asking even easier, our free Review Request Generator writes a personalised WhatsApp message for you — pop in the customer's name and the job, copy, send.
Respond to every review
Reply to both positive and negative reviews. Thank people for kind words; it shows you care and encourages others to leave feedback. For negative reviews, respond calmly and professionally - offer to put things right where you can. Google and potential customers notice when a business engages with reviews.
What not to do
Don't offer incentives in exchange for reviews - Google's guidelines prohibit it and it can lead to penalties. Don't ask only happy customers to review while pressuring unhappy ones to stay quiet. Don't buy fake reviews or get friends to leave reviews if they haven't used your business. Stick to asking real customers, at the right time, with a direct link. It's the right way and the sustainable way.
Want help growing your Google reviews?
We manage and optimise Google Business Profiles for tradespeople and local businesses across Bath and North East Somerset.