A Simple Guide for NZ Business Owners
Google Reviews are one of the most powerful tools you can use to build trust and attract new clients. They influence how often your business shows up in search results, how credible you look, and how likely people are to choose you over a competitor.
This is a free marketing goldmine - This guide will walk you through exactly how to get more Google Reviews and set up a simple, repeatable process.
⭐ Why Google Reviews Matter
They boost your local SEO – Reviews help your business rank higher in local searches.
They build instant trust – A 4.9-star business with 50+ reviews instantly stands out from the competition.
They drive more clicks – Businesses with strong ratings and volume get more website visits and phone calls.
They're free social proof – No ads required.
🔍 Step 1: Find Your Google Business Profile
If you haven’t set up a Google Business Profile yet, head to https://business.google.com and follow the steps to get started – it’s free and essential for showing up in local search.
If you’ve already set one up:
Log in with the Gmail account that manages your profile
Not sure which email? Search your inbox for “Google Business Profile” or “Google My Business” emails
If you're still unsure:
Try Googling your business name – if you see options like "Edit profile" or "Manage this business", you’re logged into the right account
If not, you might need to claim your listing by clicking “Own this business?” in the business panel and following the prompts
One of your staff may have access - so ask around!
🔗 Step 2: Generate Your Google Review Link
Once you’re logged into your Google Business Profile - you should see these options:
💡Click the 'Ask For Reviews' button
This is the magic link you’ll send to clients. When they click it, it opens your review form directly — no searching required. Save it somewhere so you don't lose it!
📬 Step 3: Ask Your Clients for a Review (the right way)
Now that you’ve got your link, it’s time to start collecting reviews — but timing and tone matter.
Best practice:
Send a short, friendly email to every happy client after completing a job.
Do it when they’ve just had their “win” — not when they’ve just been invoiced!
Keep the email casual, and include the direct review link.
Also, send it out to your mailing list/previous clients! Great way to kickstart your reviews.
Example message:
Hi [Name],
Thanks again for choosing [Your Business Name]!
If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate a quick Google Review. It helps other great clients (like you!) find me.
Here’s the link: [insert your review link]
Cheers,
[Your Name]
⚠️ Who not to ask for a review
While every review helps, don’t send requests to clients who caused you stress, had a poor experience or were just unreasonable. Negative reviews are hard to remove, and it's not worth the risk.
✅ Make It Part of Your Process
The easiest way to grow reviews consistently is to build it into your workflow:
Add the review request to your job wrap-up checklist.
Automate the email so it goes out when the client gets their win.
Train your staff to ask in person if appropriate - You can generate a QR code that's scannable!
🧰 Troubleshooting: Can’t Find the Profile or Link?
Double-check you're logged into the right Gmail account that manages the listing.
If the “Get more reviews” button isn’t showing, you may not have full admin rights.
Still stuck? Try Googling your business name while logged in — if you see an “Edit Profile” button in the results, you're in the right account.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Google Reviews are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to boost your business’s online visibility and reputation. Set it up once, build it into your process, and the results will compound over time.
