Reviews are the biggest difference between businesses in the top 3 and everyone else. In our Bangalore research, the top 3 restaurants in an area averaged thousands of reviews, while a typical restaurant had far fewer. The gap is mostly about asking.
Step 1: Get your review link
In your Business Profile, choose "Ask for reviews" to copy your short review link. Save it on your phone.
Step 2: Ask at the right moment
- Restaurants & cafes: when the bill arrives and the customer is happy
- Clinics: after a successful appointment
- Salons: while the customer admires the result in the mirror
- Home services: right after the job is done and the customer has tested it
- Shops: at the billing counter
Step 3: Make it effortless
- A QR code at the counter or on the table
- A WhatsApp message with the link after the visit
- A line on the bill or invoice
A WhatsApp message that works
"Hi Meera, thank you for visiting today! If you liked our service, could you share a quick Google review? It really helps us. [link]"
Step 4: Reply to every review
Replies show you care and encourage more people to leave reviews.
The rules (important)
- Don't offer discounts, gifts or freebies for reviews.
- Don't ask only happy customers through a filter ("review gating").
- Don't buy reviews or post them yourself.
- Do ask every customer, every time.
Make it a habit
Five new reviews a week adds up to over 250 a year. That's what moves rankings.
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Check my ranking freeFrequently asked questions
Is it okay to ask for reviews?
Yes. Google allows and encourages businesses to ask customers for reviews — just don't incentivise them or filter who you ask.
Do older reviews still count?
Yes, but recent reviews matter too. A steady flow is better than a burst followed by silence.