Online Reviews Checklist
Build a steady stream of 5-star reviews that bring in new customers on autopilot — without begging.
Foundation
Your Google Business Profile is claimed and verified
Why this matters
Why?
Reviews on an unverified profile are visible to everyone, but you can't respond to them — which signals indifference to every potential customer reading them.
Benefit
Verification gives you full control over your most visible online reputation asset and unlocks all the tools to manage it properly.
You have replied to all existing reviews — good and bad
Why this matters
Why?
Unanswered negative reviews signal that complaints are ignored. Unanswered positive reviews are missed relationship opportunities that future customers notice.
Benefit
Businesses that respond to all reviews earn higher overall ratings over time and convert more undecided buyers who read the exchange.
You have your Google review short link saved and ready to share
Why this matters
Why?
If you don't have the link immediately available, you won't ask consistently — friction kills follow-through every single time.
Benefit
Having the link ready means you can ask in person, by text, or by email in seconds — no fumbling, no delays, no missed opportunities.
Review Request System
Write a text message template to request reviews after every job
Why this matters
Why?
Asking verbally is awkward, forgettable, and inconsistent. A template makes the ask the same excellent experience every single time.
Benefit
A standard template means every happy customer gets asked — not just the ones you happen to remember or feel comfortable approaching.
Write an email follow-up template for review requests
Why this matters
Why?
Some customers don't respond to texts — older clients, corporate buyers, and people in professional settings strongly prefer email.
Benefit
Multiple channels maximize your success rate and ensure no customer type is left out of your reputation-building system.
Add your review link to your email signature
Why this matters
Why?
Every email you send is a touchpoint. Without a review link in your signature, you're wasting hundreds of opportunities per month.
Benefit
A signature link is completely passive — it generates review requests while you write ordinary business emails, at zero ongoing effort.
Ask every happy customer within 24 hours of finishing the work
Why this matters
Why?
Customer satisfaction peaks in the hours right after a successful job. Waiting a week lets the positive emotion fade — along with your chance for a review.
Benefit
Same-day or next-day requests get dramatically higher response rates than delayed ones, compounding your review count faster.
Set up an automated review request (SMS or email tool)
Why this matters
Why?
Relying on memory means inconsistent follow-up — busy weeks produce no requests, which creates frustrating dry spells in your review count.
Benefit
Automation ensures 100% of customers get asked, every time, without you ever thinking about it again.
Reputation Management
Set up a Google Alert for your business name
Why this matters
Why?
People mention your business online without tagging you. Without alerts, you won't see a damaging post until it's already been indexed for weeks.
Benefit
Alerts let you respond quickly to both praise and problems before they gain traction — turning potential crises into handled situations.
Reply to negative reviews professionally within 24 hours
Why this matters
Why?
Every unanswered negative review signals to future customers that complaints are ignored. Silence is the worst possible response available to you.
Benefit
A professional, prompt reply often converts the angry customer — and impresses the far larger audience of undecided prospects reading the exchange.
Never offer compensation in a public review reply — take it offline
Why this matters
Why?
Offering refunds or discounts publicly teaches other customers that complaining gets rewarded — you'll invite more complaints, not fewer.
Benefit
Taking it offline keeps the negotiation private while showing readers you handle issues with integrity — the best possible signal to potential customers.
Check Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific directories monthly
Why this matters
Why?
Yelp and Facebook reviews appear in Google search results. A bad rating on any platform costs you customers who find it, even if your Google score is perfect.
Benefit
Consistent high ratings across platforms build a fortress of social proof that's hard for competitors to attack and easy for customers to trust.
Share at least one positive review on your social media each month
Why this matters
Why?
Social media reaches passive audiences — people who haven't searched for you yet. Reviews shared there work as free advertising to a warm audience.
Benefit
Shared reviews expand your reputation beyond people already looking for you, generating referrals and name recognition at zero cost.
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