Asking for a review feels awkward the first few times — mostly because there's no obvious script to follow. Here's exactly how and when to ask, in person, by text, and by email.
Asking in person
Keep it brief and low-pressure. Something like: "Really glad that worked out for you — if you've got 30 seconds, a Google review would mean a lot to a small business like ours." Hand over a printed card with a QR code so they can act immediately rather than "later" (which rarely happens).
Asking by text (SMS)
SMS gets read within minutes for most people, which makes it the highest-converting channel for review requests. Keep the message under three sentences, use their first name, and include your direct review link — not a general website or Google Maps URL.
Asking by email
Email suits a slightly longer, warmer message, and works well as a follow-up if a text goes unanswered. Explain briefly why it matters to a small/local business, and always make the link the most visually obvious element in the message.
What to avoid when asking
- Never offer anything in exchange — discounts, entries into a prize draw, or free items in exchange for a review all breach Google's guidelines.
- Don't over-explain or apologise for asking — a short, confident request outperforms a long, hedging one.
- Don't ask everyone the same way — a regular customer, a one-off customer, and someone who had a mixed experience all warrant slightly different tones.
For ready-to-use scripts by scenario — first request, follow-up, and win-back messaging — see our free Review Request Templates.