Most businesses know they should be asking for reviews. Where they get stuck is the actual words. The ask feels awkward. They're not sure if they're allowed to say certain things. They write a message, it feels too pushy, and they delete it.
This article cuts through all of that. Below are ready-to-use scripts for every channel and situation — built around what actually converts, grounded in what Google's policies allow, and written to sound like a human being rather than a corporate drip campaign.
Wherever you see [LINK], replace it with your direct Google review link. If you don't have one yet, this guide walks through how to create it in under two minutes.
What makes a review ask work
Before the scripts, it helps to understand the anatomy of a request that converts. There are five components — and most bad asks are missing two or three of them.
Personal
Uses the customer's name and references something specific about their job or visit. Generic messages feel like mass emails — because they are.
"Hi Sarah" not "Dear valued customer"
Brief
The entire message should be 2–4 sentences. Longer asks feel like more work, which is the opposite of what you want the customer to feel.
One thank-you. One ask. One link. Done.
Honest
Ask for an honest review, not a 5-star review. Asking for stars is a policy violation and sounds desperate. "Honest" signals confidence.
"An honest review" or "share your experience"
Direct
One link, one action. Don't ask them to find you on Google — give them the exact URL that opens the review box directly.
A short link or QR, not "search for us on Google"
Low pressure
"If you have a minute" and "no pressure" language paradoxically increases conversion — it signals you're not desperate and removes the customer's feeling of obligation.
"If you have two minutes" · "only if you'd like to"
Text message scripts
SMS is your highest-converting channel. Keep it under 160 characters where possible, always include the link, and send within 24 hours of the job.
Home services
copy & customize
Hi [Name], thanks for having us out today — it was great working with you. If you have two minutes, an honest Google review would mean a lot to us: [LINK]
Retail / walk-in
copy & customize
Hi [Name], hope you're enjoying your [product]! If you'd like to share your experience on Google, here's a quick link: [LINK] — only takes a minute and it helps us a lot.
Professional services
copy & customize
Hi [Name], it was a pleasure working with you on [project]. If you're open to it, a Google review goes a long way for us — here's a direct link: [LINK]
Follow-up text (3–5 days later)
send once only
Hi [Name], just following up on my message from [day] — if you have a quick minute for a Google review we'd really appreciate it. Here's the link again: [LINK] — no worries if not!
Email scripts
Email converts lower than text but reaches customers who prefer it and allows slightly more context. Keep the subject line direct and the body short — one paragraph maximum before the link.
Home services — post-job email
copy & customize
Subject: Quick question about your experience
Hi [Name],
Thanks for choosing [Business Name] — it was great working with you on [job type]. I hope everything looks exactly as you'd hoped.
If you have a minute, an honest Google review genuinely helps other homeowners find us: [LINK]
Thanks again,
[Your name], [Business Name]
Professional services — project close
copy & customize
Subject: One small favour
Hi [Name],
Now that we've wrapped up [project name], I wanted to say it was genuinely a pleasure to work with you.
If you felt we earned it, a quick Google review would mean a lot — here's a direct link so it only takes a minute: [LINK]
[Your name]
In-person scripts
In-person is your highest-converting situation — but only if you follow up immediately with a text or QR code. The in-person ask creates the commitment; the link removes the friction of them finding you later.
At job completion
say this, then text the link before you leave
"Really glad we could help with this. If you're happy with the work, a Google review genuinely makes a big difference for a small business like ours — I'll text you a link right now so it's easy."
At point of sale
pair with a QR code on the receipt or counter
"If you enjoyed the experience, we'd love a Google review — there's a QR code right there on your receipt that takes you straight to it. It really helps people find us."
The one phrase that kills conversions
❌ Never say this
"Please leave us a 5-star review if you were happy with our service."
Two problems. First, asking for a specific star rating violates Google's review policies — they want reviews to reflect genuine experience, not coached responses. Second, it signals desperation. Customers who read it feel like they're being instrumentalized, not appreciated. The word "honest" does more work than any number of stars ever will.
When the job didn't go perfectly
You can still ask for a review after a less-than-perfect job — but the framing changes. The goal is to acknowledge the issue first, resolve it where possible, and then leave the door open.
After resolving a complaint
only send after the issue is genuinely resolved
Hi [Name], I'm really glad we were able to sort that out for you. If you feel like the way we handled it was fair, we'd appreciate you sharing your experience on Google — good or bad, it helps us: [LINK]. Either way, thanks for giving us the chance to make it right.
Notice this script doesn't ask for a positive review — it asks for an honest one. A customer who felt heard and had their problem resolved will often leave a better review than one who had a flawless experience but was never asked.
💬
Related reading
A bad review isn't a verdict. It's a conversation.
How to respond when a customer does leave a negative review — and why the response often matters more than the review itself.
→
Make it easier with a QR code
For any physical touchpoint — receipts, invoices, counter cards, vehicle signage, packaging — a QR code that links directly to your Google review page removes every friction point between a happy customer and a posted review. They scan, they're on the review page, they write. No searching, no typing, no remembering to do it later.
Generate a QR code from your Google review link using any free QR generator, and put it anywhere a satisfied customer might see it while the experience is still fresh.
The best review requests feel like a natural part of the relationship, not a marketing campaign. When you use the customer's name, reference something specific about their experience, and ask briefly and without pressure, the ask reads as a genuine moment of connection — not a template. That's what converts.
📈
Related reading
How to get more Google reviews: the complete system
Timing, channels, follow-up, and the metric that tells you if your system is actually working.
→
Rather not write the messages
yourself?
RevuApp automates the ask — personalized, timed, and sent through the right channel — so you never have to think about it.
See How It Works →
