People have always asked friends for recommendations. Now they ask strangers too, in the form of online reviews. For most local businesses, reviews are the most persuasive marketing they’ll ever have, and they don’t write a word of it.

Ask, every time

Most happy customers never leave a review because nobody asked. Make asking part of your routine: a line on the receipt, a follow-up email, a card at the counter with a QR code.

Make it easy

Every extra step loses people. Link directly to the review form and keep the ask short.

Reply to all of them

Thank people for good reviews by name. Respond to bad ones calmly, quickly and publicly, then take the conversation offline. Future customers read your replies as closely as the reviews.

Use them everywhere

With permission, share great reviews on your website, social channels and in store. A real customer’s words will always be more convincing than your own.