The strongest signal you can influence.
WHY THEY MATTER
A business with reviews is chosen over one without, almost regardless of what else differs.
They also affect whether you appear in local search results.
HOW TO GET THEM
Ask. Directly, soon after the work, while the experience is fresh.
Make it easy: send a direct link rather than instructions.
Ask consistently rather than in occasional bursts.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Buy reviews. They are detectable and the penalty is worse than having none. Write them yourself. Offer payment for positive reviews.
RESPONDING
Reply to every review. For criticism, acknowledge the point, explain briefly, and offer to resolve it.
Every future reader sees the reply. A calm specific response reassures more than the complaint discourages.
Never argue publicly.
CONSISTENCY
A steady trickle over time is more credible than twenty appearing in one week.
THE PRACTICAL HABIT
Ask at the point of completion, every time. Most people oblige when asked directly and never think of it otherwise.
