Request a review

Reviews from happy clients are one of the fastest ways to grow a service business. Service Buddy makes it easy to ask for a review right after the job is done, when the experience is fresh.

Before you start

• Make sure the client has a valid email address or mobile number on their profile.
• Add your Google Business Profile URL on the Reviews page so review requests link to the right place. See Track review requests.

Send a review request manually

1. Click Reviews in the left sidebar.
2. Use Select Client to choose a client from your records, or enter their details manually (Full Name, Email Address, Phone Number, Company Name).
3. Check Send Message (text), Send Email, or both to choose how to send the request.
4. Click Send.

Tip

Sending the review request one or two days after the job, rather than immediately, often gets higher response rates. Clients have had time to use or enjoy the service.

What happens next

• The client receives a friendly message with a link to leave a review.
• The review request is logged on the client timeline.
• When the client clicks the link, they go straight to your review page.
• Review activity shows up on the Reviews dashboard so you can track responses.

Tips

• Only send review requests to clients you know had a good experience. If a job went poorly, reach out personally first.
• Keep the message short: thank them, ask for the review, provide the link. That is it.
• Follow up once if a client does not respond within a week — but never more than twice.

Caution

Some review platforms (like Google) have rules against offering discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews. Stick to a simple thank-you.

FAQ

When’s the best time to ask for a review?

One to two days after the install is complete. Long enough that the client has walked on the new floor for a day, short enough that the experience is still fresh. Asking the same day often gets a polite “I haven’t really walked on it yet” deferral.

Should I send the request by email or text?

Text gets higher open rates (often 90%+), email gets longer reviews. Most retailers send both — text first as a nudge, then email a day or two later if the client hasn’t responded. Pick whichever works for the client’s preferred channel.

Where does the review go — Google, Facebook, somewhere else?

Wherever you’ve configured on the Reviews page. Service Buddy’s built-in setup uses a single Google Business Profile URL (highest visibility for local search). For other platforms (Yelp, Facebook, BBB), most retailers add the second link in the email body manually when sending. See Track review requests.

What if the install didn’t go well?

Don’t send the automated request. Reach out personally first, fix the issue, and only ask for a review after the client is genuinely happy. A bad review is much more expensive to fix than a delayed thank-you.

Can I offer a discount or gift card for a review?

Most platforms (Google, Yelp) explicitly prohibit incentives in exchange for reviews — it can get your business listing flagged or removed. Stick to a simple thank-you. If you want to reward referrals, offer the incentive for the referral (a friend they bring in), not for the review itself.

How often should I follow up if they haven’t responded?

Once is fine. Twice at most. Three times feels pushy and can hurt your relationship with a client who otherwise loved the work — they just didn’t get around to writing a review.

Where do I see which review requests have been responded to?

The Reviews dashboard tracks the status of each request and any responses received. See Manage and respond to reviews.

Can I send a review request without a job in Service Buddy?

Yes — on the Reviews page you can enter contact details manually if the client isn’t in your records. Useful for older clients you didn’t track in Service Buddy, or for one-off review pushes.