Reviews shape both where you appear in local search and whether a customer picks you once they find you. A steady flow of recent, genuine reviews tells people you are active and trustworthy.
How you respond matters too. The BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026 found 80% of consumers are likely to use a business that responds to all of its reviews.
Join the City Chamber of Commerce
The most reliable way to get reviews is to ask, every time, right after a good experience: at checkout, when a job is finished, or in a short follow-up message. Make it easy with a direct link to your review page, as a QR code at the counter or a link in your emails and receipts.
Ask all customers, not only the ones you think are happy. Google’s review content policy does not allow businesses to selectively solicit positive reviews or discourage negative ones.
Google does not allow businesses to offer anything in exchange for a review, including discounts, free products or entry into a contest. It also does not allow pressuring customers to leave reviews while they are on your premises.
Federal rules apply as well. The FTC rule on fake reviews and testimonials bans fake reviews, incentives that depend on a review being positive or negative, undisclosed reviews from staff and insiders, and using unfounded legal threats, physical threats or intimidation to suppress negative reviews.
Thank people for positive reviews by name, and mention something specific about their visit. It takes a minute and shows future customers that you pay attention.
For negative reviews, reply calmly and briefly. Acknowledge the problem, apologize where it is fair, and invite the customer to contact you directly to put it right. Never argue in public. A thoughtful reply often reassures other readers more than the review itself worries them.
Choose one moment in your process when you always ask, and one person who checks and replies to new reviews every week. Consistency beats occasional bursts.
Train staff to ask for genuine feedback, but do not set review quotas for them. Google’s review content policy, updated in April 2026, says businesses should not have staff solicit a set number of reviews, or reviews that include specific content such as a staff member’s name.
Share genuine reviews on your website and social channels, exactly as written. Do not edit a review to change its meaning, and get permission before using a customer’s full name or photo.
Look for patterns. If several reviews praise the same thing, feature it in your ads and on your website. If several mention the same problem, fix it.
Depending on your industry, customers may also check Yelp, Facebook, TripAdvisor or a trade-specific site. Claim your profile on the ones that matter in your field and keep your details consistent.
Each platform has its own rules for asking for reviews, so check them before you start a campaign there.
Not for Google reviews. Google’s policy does not allow incentives of any kind in exchange for a review.
No. Selectively asking satisfied customers, sometimes called review gating, goes against Google’s policy. Ask everyone.
Yes. A calm, helpful reply shows other customers how you handle problems.
Report it through Google’s review reporting process. Do not use threats or intimidation, which can break the FTC rule on review suppression.
Reviews work best alongside consistent listings and steady marketing. City Chamber of Commerce membership adds a trusted listing and marketing across twelve channels.
Join the City Chamber of Commerce