Happy customers forget to review. So ask them.

An angry customer writes a review the same evening. A happy customer goes home and forgets.

This is why so many good shops have only a few reviews. And some of those few are the angry ones.

It is not that happy customers do not want to help. They just do not think about it. Nobody asked them.

When someone new looks at your shop on Google they read the reviews before they call. They want to know what people like them felt. A few fresh reviews that talk about your service tell them more than any ad.

So ask. Ask every happy customer. Ask at the right moment and make it one tap for them.

It feels awkward the first few times. After a week it becomes a normal part of the bill.

How to ask without feeling awkward

1. Ask when they are happiest. That is when they thank you, when they take delivery or when they pay. Not a week later on a call.
2. Get your direct review link. Open your Google Business Profile and use the option to share a review link. It opens the review box directly.
3. Print it as a QR code at the counter. A small stand near the bill counter is enough. The customer can scan it while you pack the order.
4. Send the link on WhatsApp the same day. Write one short line in your own words. Thank them by name and add the link.
5. Reply to every review. Thank people for good ones by name. For a bad one say sorry, explain calmly and invite them to call you.

Mistakes to avoid

• Offering a discount in return for a review. Google does not allow it
• Asking family and staff to write reviews
• Copy pasting the same thank you reply under every review
• Arguing with a customer in public

Make asking a habit for the whole team. The person at the counter should know the line by heart. Something simple like this. It would really help us if you could write two lines on Google.

Read the reviews once a week. People will write things they never say to your face. Slow billing. Parking trouble. A staff member who is very helpful. That is free advice about your own business.

What to do in the next 7 days

• Day 1: Get the direct review link from your Google Business Profile.
• Day 2: Turn it into a QR code and print a small stand for the counter.
• Day 3: Write one short WhatsApp line for asking and save it as a quick reply.
• Day 4 to 7: Ask every happy customer and reply to every review that comes in.

We can make your review link, the QR stand and a WhatsApp message to go with it. Message us on WhatsApp

How many customers did you ask for a review this month? Be honest. Tell us in the comments.