5 ways to get more 5-star Google Reviews

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5 Quick Facts about Google Reviews

Google Wants Consistency of Reviews

Have you ever seen a company with 15 reviews and an average of 4.8 outrank your company who has 133 reviews and a 4.9 rating?

How on God's green earth can this happen? Consistency and Frequency.

Google loves to see consistency. A steady flow of new reviews sends the signal that your business is active, engaged, and still delivering great service. If you’re getting reviews regularly, Google is more likely to push your business higher in search rankings. For example, if you’re in the HVAC business, consistent reviews for seasonal services like furnace checks or AC installations will help keep you top-of-mind in local searches.

How many google reviews you have matters

While most companies can only rank in a 5-15 mile radius for Google Maps, if you have 2-3 times the reviews of local competitors... you can outrank them up to 45 miles away! Our customer, Global Gutter Systems is ranking top 3 of Google Maps in cities up to 45 miles away due to selection Local SEO combined with 3 times the amount of reviews of their competitors located in the city central!

It’s simple—the more reviews you have, the more credible you seem to both potential customers and search engines. Think of it like this: if one roofing contractor has 15 reviews, and another has 150, which one seems more established? Quantity plays a major role in your online reputation and can directly impact whether someone chooses to hire you or not. The more your profile gets clicked, the higher the rankings you get and the more likely you get the job and get a review in that area.

The older reviews carry more weight in rankings

Stale reviews are not as valuable as fresh, recent ones. If all your reviews are over a year old, new customers might wonder if you’re still in business or if your service has gone downhill. For instance, if your last plumbing review is from 18 months ago, it’s time to start collecting some fresh feedback!

Reviews with content or images carry more weight

Encourage your customers to leave detailed reviews about the service you provided. Instead of “Great service!” it’s much more valuable to have something like: “They did a fantastic job fixing my leaky roof, cleaned up after themselves, and finished on time!” Reviews with content show potential customers exactly what they can expect from your business.

So ask them to not just give a 5-star review but tell the world why you enjoyed your work. When they put in keywords like gutter, hvac, etc... it ranks you faster.

Respond to reviews in 24 hours or less

Google notices how fast you engage with customer feedback. Responding to reviews within 24 hours shows you care about your customers' experiences. A prompt, professional reply to a positive review builds loyalty, while a swift response to a negative review demonstrates your commitment to resolving issues. For an HVAC or gutter company, this can help reinforce your reputation as reliable and responsive.

Now that we’ve covered why reviews are so important, here are 10 actionable tips to help you get more Google reviews for your home service business.

5 Ways to Get More Reviews

Put a QR Code on your Business Card

The QR code should have a direct link to the leave a review. You can then text it, email it, and put it on your business card and get reviews any time you're out in the field.

Ask for Reviews Immediately but with Caution

After finishing a job—whether it’s a roof repair, HVAC installation, or plumbing fix—hand your customer a business card with a QR code that links directly to your Google review page. Customers can scan the code right away and leave a review on the spot, making it super convenient for them to give feedback. Caution: Feel out the customer first. If you're worried about getting anything less than 5 stars, thank them and tell them you'll be back in one month to ensure everything is great as part of "maintenance."

1-month and 3-month Follow-ups

If you didn’t get a review immediately, don’t worry! Send a follow-up email a few days later thanking the customer for their business and asking if you can return in 30 days for a quick maintenance check-up. In the email, ask if they could take a moment to leave a Google review, and be sure to include a direct link for easy access. This is especially effective for more extensive jobs like home renovations or large-scale plumbing projects.

Put reviews with a link on your home at the top

Create a section on your website that highlights glowing customer reviews. Include a button or link inviting visitors to leave their own review. When people see positive reviews from others, they’re more likely to leave one themselves. For example, a roofing contractor might have a page dedicated to customer testimonials, followed by a prompt like, “Have we worked on your home? Leave us a review!”

Create a "leave a review" in your email signature

Add a Google review link to your email signature. This way, every time you communicate with customers—whether it’s for scheduling, invoicing, or general follow-up—they have an easy, unobtrusive way to leave a review. This works especially well for high-volume service industries like plumbing or roofing.

Never pay for Google Reviews

Google's guidelines specifically state that businesses are prohibited from offering incentives (such as giveaways or discounts) in exchange for reviews, whether positive or negative. Even if you're not explicitly asking for a positive review, the act of offering something in return is unethical and you can get your Google Business Profile suspended or permanently removed!