· Tips · 2 min read
How to Ask Customers for Reviews Without Being Awkward
Asking for reviews doesn't have to feel pushy. Here are proven approaches that feel natural and get results.
Why asking feels uncomfortable
Let’s be honest — most small business owners find it awkward to ask for reviews. It feels like asking for a favor. Like you’re being needy. Like it might rub customers the wrong way.
But here’s what the data shows: customers want to help businesses they love. They just need a nudge at the right moment.
Timing is everything
The best time to ask for a review is right after a positive experience. The customer is happy, the work is fresh in their mind, and they’re most likely to follow through.
Wait too long and the motivation fades. Ask too soon (before the job is done) and it feels premature.
The sweet spot? Within 1-2 hours of completing a job. A simple text message works better than email — 98% of texts are opened within 3 minutes, compared to roughly 20% for email.
What to say (and what not to say)
Keep it short and personal. Nobody wants to read a paragraph. A quick message that mentions the specific service goes a long way.
Good example:
“Hi Sarah, thanks for choosing us for your haircut today! If you have a moment, we’d love a quick Google review. Here’s a direct link: [link]”
What to avoid:
- Don’t offer incentives (Google prohibits this)
- Don’t send multiple follow-ups
- Don’t make it sound like a template
- Don’t ask for “5 stars” — just ask for an honest review
Make it easy
The single biggest factor in whether someone leaves a review is friction. If they have to search for your business, navigate to the review section, and figure out how to write one — most won’t bother.
Instead, send a direct link that opens right on your Google review page. One tap, and they’re writing.
The best approach: automate it
If you’re still asking for reviews manually — or worse, forgetting to ask entirely — you’re leaving reviews on the table.
Tools like Ricorda automate this entire process. After every job, your customer gets a friendly text with a direct Google review link. You set it up once, and reviews come in on autopilot.
No scripts to memorize. No awkward conversations. No forgetting.
