How to Get & Respond to Google Reviews

Your Google Business Profile builds early trust when someone is searching online for a local expert. Before clicking on a website or making a call, many people check reviews first to see what others have experienced. A steady stream of recent, thoughtful feedback helps position your business as credible, approachable, and worth contacting. Those star ratings and public comments shape perceptions and often influence which business gets contacted first!

Strong reviews (and thoughtful responses) reinforce your reputation, improve local search visibility, and give people more confidence in choosing you.

Getting New Google Reviews

Why it’s Important

In addition to showing your trustworthiness among previous customers, Google reviews impact how you show up in search results and local map listings. Compared to platforms like Yelp or Facebook, they carry more weight when it comes to how easily people can find your business and how they judge your credibility.

Google reviews aren’t just social proof – they influence your search engine visibility, reinforce your reputation, and help potential customers decide whether to take the next step. A well-reviewed business is more likely to rank higher and attract serious inquiries from people ready to buy, book, or reach out.

How to Acquire New Reviews

Asking for reviews doesn’t have to feel awkward or transactional. When done naturally, it can be a great way to stay connected with happy customers while strengthening your online presence.

Here are a few simple, Google-friendly ways to encourage reviews without overcomplicating the process:

Ask at the right time

Timing makes a big difference. The best moment to ask is when someone has just had a positive experience, like right after a project wraps up, a delivery goes smoothly, or a client gives you a compliment.

Make it easy

Don’t make people hunt for where to leave a review. Use your Google Business Profile’s direct link, and include it in thank-you emails, invoices, or follow-up texts. If you’re in a storefront or event setting, a QR code on signage or printed materials is always helpful!

Personalize the ask

Skip the generic blast! A quick, sincere message feels more human and gets better results. Example: “Thanks again for choosing us! If you had a good experience, would you mind leaving a quick review? Here’s the link – it really helps our business!”

Be clear (and compliant)

It’s tempting to offer an incentive, but Google prohibits rewards or discounts in exchange for reviews. Instead, explain how much their feedback helps other customers make informed decisions and helps your business grow. Gratitude goes a long way.

Responding to Google Reviews

Why it’s Important

When you respond to a Google review, you’re showing that your business is engaged, thoughtful, and committed to service, long after the sale is made. Even a quick reply sends a message that you’re paying attention to customer satisfaction.

The most important thing to remember is that your response isn’t just for the person who left the review. It’s for everyone else reading it – people who are deciding whether they trust your business enough to reach out.

Ignoring feedback, especially when it’s critical, can raise concerns. On the other hand, a calm, professional reply to both positive and negative reviews shows that you’re engaged, thoughtful, and serious about your reputation. Often, your response carries more weight than the review itself!

How to Respond to Good Reviews

Positive reviews are an opportunity to reinforce your brand tone and deepen the relationship with a happy customer. Here’s how to make your replies feel authentic:

• Mention something specific
  If they praised your team’s communication or the speed of service, call that out in your response. It shows you actually read their review, and that you value their input.
• Avoid copy-paste replies
  It’s easy to fall into a “Thanks for your review!” loop, but personalized responses stand out and feel more genuine. If you’re following the previous tip to mention something specific, this won’t be a problem.
• Invite future engagement
  A short phrase like “We’d love to work with you again!” keeps the door open for repeat business or referrals.

Example:

Thank you for your kind words, Maya! We’re happy our team made the handoff process easy. That’s something we take seriously, and we appreciate you noticing! Hope to work together again soon.

How to Respond to Bad Reviews

Negative reviews can sting, especially when they feel unfair or one-sided. But responding well can actually work in your favor. A calm, professional reply shows you’re open to feedback and serious about improvement.

Here’s how we recommend you approach a negative review

• Don’t rush
  Take a breath before replying, especially if you’re feeling defensive. A level-headed response is always better than one written in the heat of the moment.
• Acknowledge their experience
  You don’t have to agree with everything they said, but you want to demonstrate that you’ve heard them.
• Move the conversation offline
  Offer a direct contact method to resolve the issue privately, which avoids a public back-and-forth. While in our experience, many people won’t actually reach out for resolution as they simply wanted to vent, you’ll want to provide contact info for someone who will definitely be able to address their concern. The last thing you want to do is send them on a wild goose chase for resolution!
• Keep it brief
  You’re not trying to win an argument – and any attempts to do so may not reflect well to other people reading the review. Be clear, respectful, and solution-oriented.

Example:

“Thank you for your kind words, Maya! We’re happy our team made the handoff process easy. That’s something we take seriously, and we appreciate you noticing! Hope to work together again soon.”

Elevate Your Brand With Threshold Media: A Digital Marketing Agency in Ashburn, Virginia

Need help managing your business reputation and showing up in local search results? At Threshold Media, we help service-based businesses build credibility online through smart strategy, polished content, and consistent visibility. Contact us to book a free discovery call!