Small Business Search Engine Optimization
How to Generate More 5 Star Reviews for Your Plumbing Business
Why Do Google Reviews Matter?
Google reviews are essential for growing your business and building your online presence. Today, most customers will check Google before hiring a company and that includes reading through reviews. According to a study from BrightLocal, consumers read an average of 10 reviews before feeling comfortable with a company and 74% of them check at least two review websites before making a decision.
Having a strong review profile on Google helps establish trust before someone even visits your website. In fact, many potential customers choose companies from the Google “3-Pack” (the top three listings shown on the map in search results) and don’t scroll further down the search engine results page. If your business doesn’t have strong reviews, or enough of them, you could be missing out on significant lead opportunities.
Earning more 5-star reviews not only boosts your visibility in search results, but it also builds trust and confidence in your brand. A consistent flow of positive feedback shows potential customers that your business is trustworthy, professional, and worth reaching out to.
Steps to Generating More 5-Star Reviews For Your Plumbing Business
1. Provide Excellent Customer Service
The foundation of a great review is a great experience. From the moment a customer contacts you to the final interaction, they’re forming an opinion of your business.
For plumbers, it is likely that your customers may already be dealing with a stressful situation. Making the process easy and hassle-free can go a long way in turning a tough day into a positive experience and a 5-star review.
2. Ask for Reviews at the Right Time
Timing matters. The best moment to ask for a review is immediately after the job is completed. At that point, the experience is still fresh in the customer’s mind, and they’re more likely to share their thoughts.
Whether you’re finishing an emergency repair or wrapping up a scheduled service, don’t miss the opportunity to politely ask for feedback right on the spot or shortly after.
3. Make It Easy for Customers
People are busy and the more steps required to leave a review, the less likely they are to complete it. That’s why it’s critical to make the review process as simple as possible.
A few tools you can use to ask for reviews are:
- QR codes that link directly to your Google Business Profile. (Tip: You can create free custom codes using a QR code generator from Bitly or Canva.)
- Automated review request software that sends follow-up texts or emails
- Clickable review links you can include in invoices or receipts
The easier it is, the more likely you are to get results.
4. Provide Incentives (Within Google’s Guidelines)
Everyone likes to get a good deal, and a small thank-you incentive can encourage more customers to leave a review. While Google’s policy prohibits offering rewards in exchange for positive reviews, you can still thank customers with a general discount, coupon, or future service deal simply for their time and feedback.
The key is to be transparent by letting them know you appreciate any honest review, whether it’s glowing or constructive.
5. Respond to All Reviews (Especially Negative Ones)
Responding to reviews is just as important as collecting them. When you reply to a good review, it reinforces a positive experience and makes the customer feel appreciated.
If you receive a negative review, don’t ignore them. Responding in a professional way gives you a chance to clarify the situation, show understanding, and even turn a bad experience into a future opportunity.
Here’s how to approach a negative review:
- If the review is inaccurate: Gently provide context and facts that clarify your side.
- If the review is accurate: Apologize, express concern, and offer to make it right by fixing the issue or offering a discount on a future visit.
Future customers will see your professionalism in how you respond.
6. Use Review Management Tools
A review management software can help automate and track your review outreach efforts. These tools make it easy to:
- Send follow-up review requests
- Monitor incoming reviews
- Automatically respond to feedback
- Combine all reviews across platforms
One of the most popular review management softwares is BirdEye. It has the ability to integrate with your CRM, send automated review requests by text or email, and even helps you manage and respond to feedback right from the dashboard.
7. Be Consistent
The real key to long-term review success is consistency. Make a habit of asking for a review after every completed job, respond quickly to each review received, and always provide quality service that earns positive feedback.
Consistency compounds over time, it strengthens your reputation, boosts your SEO, and leads to more referrals.
The Best Types of Reviews Your Employees Should Leave
Your employees can also contribute to your business’s reputation. They can leave reviews from the perspective of what it’s like to work at your company and highlight values such as professionalism, training, and dedication to customer service.
These types of reviews help potential customers (and future employees) get a behind-the-scenes look at your company culture. It’s a simple but effective way to strengthen your credibility.
Email Templates to Send to Clients for Review
Whether or not you are using a review management tool or replying to each review personally, a template for the email sent out to clients speeds up the process.
Example 1: Friendly & Simple
Subject: Thank You for Choosing Us!
Hi [Customer Name],
It was a pleasure to work with you! If you have a moment, we’d appreciate it if you could leave us a quick review on Google. Your feedback helps us grow and serve others better.
[Insert Review Link]
Thanks again,
[Your Company Name]
Example 2: After Emergency Service
Subject: How Did We Do?
Hi [Customer Name],
We know dealing with unexpected plumbing issues isn’t fun, and we appreciate you trusting us to help. If you’re satisfied with the service, would you mind sharing your experience with us on Google?
Here’s a direct link to make it easy: [Insert Review Link]
Thanks for your time,
[Your Company Name]
Text Message Templates to Send to Clients for Reviews
Texts should be short, polite, and direct. Here’s how to ask for reviews without coming across as pushy:
Example 1:
Hi [First Name], thanks again for choosing [Business Name]! When you have a moment, we’d love a quick review: [Link]
Example 2:
Hi [First Name], it was a pleasure to help you today. If you were happy with the service, could you leave us a quick Google review? It really helps! [Link]
What to Include in Your Response to Reviews
When you respond to reviews, your tone and message can be the difference between receiving a review and being ghosted. Starting off with thank-you is great, but a more thoughtful reply can leave a lasting impression. The goal is to personalize each response by mentioning the customer’s name, referring to the specific service that you provided, and expressing genuine appreciation for their business.
As an example, instead of saying “Thanks for your review,” you could say, “We’re so glad you were happy with your water heater installation, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us.” This additional attention to detail shows your customers that you value them. When handling negative reviews, reply in a calm and professional manner. Acknowledge the concern, clarify any misunderstandings if necessary, and invite the reviewer to connect with you directly to resolve the issue. This approach not only shows accountability but also gives potential customers confidence that you stand behind your work and care about customer satisfaction.
Turn Reviews into Results with a Strong SEO Strategy
Generating great Google reviews helps build trust in your brand and grows your business but it works even better when paired with a strong online presence. To connect with customers at the moment they’re searching for your services, your website needs to be optimized for search. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps ensure that your business not only shows up in Google’s local 3-Pack but also ranks well in organic search results. That visibility can make the difference between a potential customer choosing you or continuing to scroll. At MarketKeep, we specialize in helping plumbers strengthen their digital presence through customized SEO strategies that align with your goals. If you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a free SEO evaluation with our team. We’ll review your site, identify areas for improvement, and provide clear, actionable steps to help you turn more traffic into leads and more leads into loyal customers.