Ever find yourself checking out reviews before buying something or booking a service? Of course you do—we all do. These days, online reviews are the digital version of word-of-mouth. But when you’re a small business owner, actually getting those reviews can feel like pulling teeth. But don’t worry, in this blog, we’ll share 7 easy and effective ways to generate more online reviews for your business.
Not sure where to start or how to manage it all? At Make Me Local, we help businesses just like yours build strong online reputations with our local SEO and reputation management services that drive real results.
Give us a call on 0800 772 0022 or email hello@makemelocal.com—let’s turn your happy customers into powerful promoters.
At Make Me Local, we build connections between your local business and the customers who need you the most.
What Are Online Reviews?
Online reviews are public feedback written by your customers on platforms like Google, Facebook, Yell, or TripAdvisor. They reflect a real user’s experience and serve as user-generated content, giving potential customers insight into the quality of your service.
These reviews directly impact your business reputation, and with search engines now factoring them into local rankings, they’re more than just essential to have—they’re a crucial part of any digital reputation marketing strategy.
A well-maintained star rating system can act as the tipping point for someone choosing you over a competitor. The key? Getting enough high-quality reviews consistently—and that’s where a strong review strategy comes in.
How To Generate Online Reviews?
Generating online reviews doesn’t have to be awkward or time-consuming. With a few smart strategies and a little consistency, you can build a steady stream of genuine customer feedback that strengthens your business reputation and helps future customers trust you.
Here are 8 of the best ways to generate online reviews—including one that lets you hand off the hard work entirely.
1. Ask At The Right Time
The timing of your ask can make or break whether you get a review. The best way to ask customers for reviews online is when the experience is still fresh in their minds—ideally right after a service is completed or a purchase is made. Catch them at the peak of satisfaction.
A simple message like,
“We really appreciated your business—if you’ve got a minute, would you mind leaving us a quick review?”
This also fits neatly into your customer feedback loop, helping you close the experience on a high note.
2. Send Follow-Up Emails Or Texts
Not everyone will remember to leave a review the first time you ask. That’s where automated email or SMS follow-ups come in. These tools help manage customer reviews efficiently and remind clients in a friendly, non-intrusive way.
Use tools like Google Business Profile short links, QR codes, or platforms that automate review requests based on completed jobs.
Bonus tip: Keep the tone personal and light—avoid sounding robotic.
3. Incentivise Feedback (Without Buying Reviews)
While you can’t (and shouldn’t) buy reviews, you can encourage feedback through clever reminders or gestures. For example, a thank-you card with a QR code linking to your Google page is memorable and helpful.
This approach supports your broader reputation marketing strategy and gives customers a gentle nudge to take action.
4. Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Want to know how to get more Google reviews for your business? Make sure your Google profile is in top shape. Keep your address, phone number, and service categories updated, upload high-quality photos, and respond to every review, positive or negative.
Google rewards active, trusted local businesses by showing them higher in local search. Plus, an accurate profile makes leaving a review easier.
5. Train Your Staff To Ask
If your team interacts with customers, make review requests part of the service process. It can be as simple as:
If you’re happy with our service, we’d really appreciate a quick Google review—it helps other people find us.
This personal touch is especially effective for local business reviews. Ensure your team feels confident in asking and has a simple way to direct customers to the right platform.
6. Respond To Every Review
Engaging with reviews—positive or not—shows that you care. It also encourages others to leave feedback because they know it’ll be acknowledged.
Worried about negative reviews? Don’t be. They’re a chance to show how you handle feedback and resolve issues professionally. Plus, responding helps maintain a healthy star rating system and supports your social proof strategy.
7. Add Subtle Reminders Across Touchpoints
Review requests shouldn’t only live in emails. Add them to your:
- Email signatures
- Invoices
- Thank-you pages
- Packaging
- Receipts
- Vehicle signage (QR code style)
These low-effort, high-visibility nudges keep your review strategy always on and help your brand stay top of mind.
Bonus: Take Help From Professionals
If this all sounds like a lot to manage, that’s because it can be—especially when you’re focused on running your business. That’s where professionals like us at Make Me Local come in.
We offer fully managed reputation management services, designed to:
- Collect reviews from your customers monthly
- Post them to trusted third-party sites you can’t control (which means they’re credible)
- Help you improve review ratings by ensuring steady, positive feedback
- Support you with responses and an ongoing social proof strategy
- Deliver real results: more visibility, more trust, more leads
Want to know how small businesses can generate positive online reviews consistently without adding pressure to your day-to-day? Outsourcing it to experts is not just easier—it’s smarter.
Conclusion
Generating online reviews isn’t just about collecting stars—it’s about building real trust with real people. In a world where potential customers turn to search engines and social proof before making a decision, your reviews are your first impression.
Whether you’re just starting or already established, having a consistent flow of genuine customer feedback is essential for building a rock-solid business reputation. The good news? You don’t have to do it all yourself. You must hire an online reputation management expert.
At Make Me Local, we specialise in helping small and local businesses strengthen their presence through smart, sustainable reputation marketing strategies. With over 13 years of experience, industry-recognised certifications, and a hands-on approach, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses just like yours improve their star rating system, generate more user-generated content, and implement a powerful social proof strategy that gets results.
We know how to generate online reviews that matter—because we do it every single day.
So, are you ready to improve your visibility, credibility, and conversions? Call us on 0800 772 0022 or email hello@makemelocal.com.
From strategy to implementation, Make Me Local is here to help you turn great service into glowing reviews—and more customers through the door.