How to Get Google Reviews for Your Business in 2025

Key highlights 

• Google reviews significantly impact customer trust and SEO rankings. 
• Simplifying the review process encourages customer participation. 
• Professional responses to reviews (both positive and negative) build credibility.   
• Strategic use of incentives and QR codes can boost review collection. 
• Bluehost’s eCommerce Premium plan offers advanced tools for review management. 

Introduction 

Imagine giving it your all to deliver excellent service and ensure customer satisfaction but not having anything to show for it. We know how it feels.  

Positive Google reviews can be a make-or-break game for businesses today. It acts as a powerful social proof that influences potential customers and boosts your visibility on search and Google Maps. However, most small businesses struggle to translate customer satisfaction into tangible online credibility.  

If in spite of all your efforts the review page of your business is blank and you’re wondering how to get Google reviews, don’t worry, we’ve got you. Collecting Google reviews is not really a struggle with the right strategies in place.  

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to get Google reviews with and build a solid online credibility with quick and actionable steps. Let’s get started. 

Why Google reviews matter for your business? 

Google reviews significantly influence customer decisions, enhance credibility and boost local SEO rankings. Most customers read reviews before making a purchase. Positive feedback on Google serves as powerful social proof, reassuring potential customers about your reliability and quality.  

Displaying online reviews prominently on a website designed to ensure good user experience can increase conversion and business growth as well. Additionally, a strong review profile signals to Google’s algorithm that your business is active and trusted, improving your visibility on search results.  

You don’t need to put in a lot of effort to collect reviews. The entire process is pretty straightforward with the right approach. In the following section, we’ll explore how to gather Google Reviews from customers. 

Did you know? 

A recent study by the Medill Spiegel Research Center shows that 95% of consumers use reviews and 86% consider them to be an essential part of the purchase journey. 

How to get Google reviews from your customers? 

Collecting Google reviews requires a strategic approach so that it’s easy for customers to share feedback. Here are three proven methods to drive valuable customer feedback: 

1. Simplify the review process for effortless feedback 

A complicated review process discourages participation. To streamline it, provide a direct link to your Google review page. You can find this link by searching your business on Google, clicking “Write a Review,” and copying the URL.  

Share this link on email signatures or on receipts to increase chances of getting reviews by making it easier for your customers to leave feedback. 

Implementation tips: 

• Use a WordPress plugin for Google Review integration to create a clickable review prompt on your site. 
• Embed the Google review link in a prominent “Leave a review” button on your website’s homepage or footer. 
• Add the link to digital receipts or invoices sent after a purchase for easy access. 

Also read: Top Google Reviews Plugins for WordPress to Showcase Feedback 

2. Motivate customers with incentives to boost participation 

Incentives can motivate customers to leave reviews, but they must comply with Google’s guidelines. Consider offering discounts, loyalty points or small gifts for feedback. Businesses that use customer rewards strategies effectively get more reviews from satisfied customers.  

Ensure incentives are offered for honest feedback, not just positive reviews, to stay compliant.  

Implementation tips: 

• Create a loyalty program where customers earn points for leaving a review, redeemable on future purchases. 
• Offer a small discount code via email after a review is submitted, clearly stating it’s for honest feedback. 
• Display a sign in-store or on your website noting, “Share your feedback and get a chance to win a gift card!”. 

3. Leverage email campaigns for targeted review requests 

Email campaigns are powerful tools for review collection. After a purchase or service, send a personalized follow-up message with a clear call-to-action (CTA) to leave a review. Include the direct review link and a brief message thanking the customer.  

Since timing is key—send requests within a few days when the experience is fresh. 

Implementation tips: 

• Use email marketing tools like Creative Mail to automate review requests 2–3 days post-purchase. 
• Personalize messages with the customer’s name and purchase details to increase engagement. 
• Test different actionable CTAs (for example, “Tell us about your experience” vs. “Leave a quick review”) to find what resonates best. 

Also read: How to Write a Follow Up Email – Best Practices & Templates 

How to get a QR code for Google reviews? 

A QR code makes it easy for customers to leave feedback with a quick scan, thus increasing your chances to get reviews. Here’s a simplified guide to create and use QR codes to encourage Google reviews from customers. 

Step 1: Get your Google review link 

• Sign in to business.google.com and select your verified business. 
• Go to “Get more reviews” and click “Share review form” to copy the review link. 
• Test the link to confirm it directs to your review page. 
• Save the link for easy access. 

Step 2: Create the QR code 

• Paste the review link into a QR code generator like QRCodeChimp. 
• Customize with your brand’s colors or logo for recognition. 
• Download the QR code as a high-resolution PNG or JPG. 
• Scan it with different devices to ensure it works. 

Step 3: Share the QR code 

• Print the QR code on receipts, business cards or store signs with a prompt like “Scan to review.” 
• Add it to your website, email signatures or social media posts. 
• Place it in high-traffic areas like checkout counters or product packaging. 
• Track scans (if using a dynamic QR code) to optimize placement. 

By following these steps, you can create a QR code that streamlines Google review collection. However, once the review starts pouring in it’s important to respond to them promptly. The following section will tell you how to respond to reviews effectively. 

How to respond to Google reviews? 

Responding to Google reviews demonstrates that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving. Here’s how to handle both positive and negative reviews professionally: 

1. How to respond to positive Google reviews?  

Positive business reviews are an opportunity to reinforce customer loyalty. Respond promptly with a personalized message thanking the reviewer by name (if possible). Highlight specific details from their feedback to show you’re paying attention.  

For example: “Thank you, Sarah, for praising our quick delivery! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience.”  

This approach encourages repeat business and shows others you care. 

Also read: Customer Testimonials: How To Use Them To Market Your Brand 

2. How to respond to negative Google reviews?  

Negative reviews can feel daunting, but they’re a chance to show your commitment to customers. Respond calmly and professionally, acknowledging the issue and offering a solution.  

For example: “We’re sorry to hear about your experience, John. Please contact us so we can resolve this for you.”  

Avoid defensive tones and take the conversation offline if needed. Publicly addressing concerns shows transparency. 

Additional tip: 

Aim to respond to all reviews within 48 hours. Consistency in replying, signals to customers and Google that you’re engaged. Use a friendly yet professional tone and avoid generic responses. Tailoring replies to each review enhances authenticity and builds trust. 

While these strategies are effective, it is important to note that not all negative Google reviews are authentic or honest. Let’s discuss how to deal with such reviews. 

How to get rid of bad Google reviews? 

Not all negative reviews are legitimate; some may harm your reputation unfairly. Here’s how to get rid of bad Google reviews: 

1. Identifying fake or unfair reviews 

Fake reviews often come from competitors or bots and may contain vague, irrelevant or inflammatory content. Check the reviewer’s profile—if they have no other reviews or a suspicious history, it could be a red flag.  

Unfair reviews might violate Google’s policies, such as those containing personal attacks or unrelated complaints. 

2. Reporting violations to Google 

To report a review, go to your Google Business Profile, locate the review and click “Flag as inappropriate.” Provide a clear explanation of why the review violates Google’s guidelines (for example, spam, hate speech or irrelevance).  

Google typically takes a few days to investigate, but there’s no guarantee of removal unless the review clearly breaches policies. 

3. Taking legal action for removal 

If a review is defamatory or contains false information, consult a legal expert. In rare cases, businesses may pursue legal action to have reviews removed, but this is time-consuming and costly.  

Focus on reporting through Google first and building a strong base of positive reviews to outweigh the negative. 

We’ve discussed all the steps you can take to build and manage your online credibility through Google reviews. However, with the help of specific tools, implementing these steps becomes easy and streamlined. Let’s learn about the tools and processes we can adopt for the same.  

How to build online credibility with Bluehost?   

Bluehost eCommerce Premium plan lets you get more Google reviews and manage your online reputation without breaking a sweat. In addition, our plan includes all the features that’ll help you manage your online business from end-to-end.  

Let’s see how you can use our eCommerce Premium plan features to help you manage Google reviews. 

• Automate review requests: The CreativeMail Email Marketing tool, included in our plan allows you to automate review request emails. You can send personalized messages at the optimal time—such as a few days after a purchase. 

• Leverage email templates: The YITH WooCommerce Email Templates plugin included in our plan maintains professional branding. These allow you to design professional, branded emails that align with your business identity. Whether you’re sending review requests, thank-you notes or promotional offers, these templates ensure consistency and polish. 

• Optimize for visibility: With our plan you get Yoast SEO for optimizing your website’s metadata for search engines. This tool will help you craft compelling meta descriptions and titles that highlights your positive Google Reviews 

• Showcase reviews: Our plan includes advanced review management features that allow you to seamlessly integrate Google reviews onto your website. Displaying authentic feedback directly on your site will build trust with visitors and encourage conversions. 

With Bluehost eCommerce Premium plan, managing your online credibility is easier than ever. 

In the above sections, we’ve discussed the steps that you can implement today to start collecting Google reviews from customers. You also have a fair idea about how to manage reviews, both good and bad. Now it’s just a matter of getting started. 

Final thoughts 

By prioritizing consistent feedback collection and professional engagement, you can turn customer experiences into a credible online image in no time. You can start implementing the steps today and you’ll see comments pouring in.  

If you want a fast-tracked process to implement the steps, Bluehost ecommerce Premium plan can help you with all the tools in one place. We help you create the perfect image that your perfect brand deserves. Take charge of your online reputation today with Bluehost!  

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