Reviews do two jobs at once. They are one of the signals that decide who shows in the map results, and they are what a customer reads in the ten seconds before deciding whether to call. A trades business that asks every customer, every time, slowly pulls ahead of competitors who ask now and then. This service builds that habit and keeps it running.
How the system works
The system is a short, repeatable routine with clear ownership. It is deliberately simple, because complicated routines get abandoned in the first busy month.
- One owner. A named person, usually the office manager or the owner, is responsible for review requests each week.
- One moment. The request goes out shortly after the job is finished and the customer has seen the result, often the same day for service calls and after the final walk-through for projects.
- One message. A short text or email with a direct link to your review form, written in your voice. The customer is asked for honest feedback, not a five-star rating.
- One reminder. A single follow-up a few days later if there is no response. Never more.
- Every reply. Each review gets a personal reply within a few days, positive or negative.
We set up the link, write the templates, train the person who sends them, and check the numbers monthly.
The rules we build around
Google's Maps user-generated content policy sets clear limits, and we design the routine to stay well inside them:
- No incentives. No discounts, gift cards, draws or free services for reviews.
- No gating. You ask every customer, not just the ones you expect to be pleased.
- No scripted content. You can ask for honest feedback; you should not tell customers what to write or pressure them while you are standing in their kitchen.
- No staff quotas tied to reviews, and no reviews from employees, relatives or business partners.
Because requests go out by text or email, Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation may also apply. It requires consent, identification of the sender and a working unsubscribe option. We include sender details and an opt-out line in every template, and we recommend you confirm your consent practices with the CRTC guidance or your own adviser.
Who it suits
Every trade benefits. It matters most where several competitors appear side by side in the map results, which is true for plumbers, electricians, roofers, cleaners and movers in most Canadian cities. For project trades with fewer, larger jobs, each review carries more weight, so missing even one request is costly.
Proof from our HVAC work
GasBoilers.ca, a gas-boiler division built for CANRO Heat, reached 5.0★ from 76+ Google reviews while serving 26+ BC communities. That is a heating business, not a plumber or roofer, but the habit behind it, asking consistently and replying personally, is the one we set up for every trade.
Timeline and measurement
The routine is usually live within two weeks. From then on we track:
- the share of completed jobs that received a request
- the share of requests that became reviews
- review count over the last 90 days, compared with the three businesses beside you in the map results
- average reply time
- themes in the reviews, which often point to service improvements
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking in bursts. Fifty reviews in a week after a year of silence looks odd to customers and may look odd to Google.
- Arguing in replies. Even when the reviewer is wrong.
- Buying or swapping reviews. It breaks the policy and destroys trust when discovered.
- Leaving positive reviews unanswered. A quick, specific thank-you shows future customers that someone cares.
- Sending a generic link. A link to your listing, rather than straight to the review box, loses a surprising share of willing customers at the last step.
Read the review request guide, see how this fits with map visibility, or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Can I offer a discount for leaving a review?
No. Google's policy treats reviews posted because a business offered something of value, such as a discount or a free service, as prohibited, and removes them. A discount for a review can cost you the review and put the profile at risk.
Can I only ask the happy customers?
No. Google's policy prohibits selectively asking only satisfied customers. Ask everyone, then deal with an unhappy customer by fixing the problem, not by avoiding the request.
What do I do about an unfair one-star review?
Reply once, calmly and briefly, with the facts and an offer to talk. Future customers read the reply more closely than the review. If the review breaks Google's content policy, you can report it, but Google decides, and many reported reviews stay up.
Do review request texts fall under CASL?
They may. Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation covers commercial electronic messages such as emails and texts, and requires consent, sender identification and a way to unsubscribe. Read the CRTC's guidance and confirm your approach; we build the routine to respect it but do not give legal advice.