How to Get Google Reviews for Your Bedford Business (That Actually Get Left)

Danilo Velimirovic
14 hours ago
4 min read

Ask every happy customer immediately after good service. Send them a direct Google review link via text. Make it one-tap easy. Follow up once if they don't leave it. That's it.

You know reviews matter. But you've got 5 reviews from 2019 and your competitor has 80 from this year. How are they getting them?

Simple: They ask. Systematically. Every single time.

Why Reviews Actually Matter

The numbers:

88% of consumers read reviews before choosing local business
Businesses with 40+ reviews get 54% more clicks
Reviews in top 3 Google ranking factors for local search

Translation: No reviews = invisible. Some reviews = visible. Lots of recent reviews = dominating local search.

When to Ask for Reviews

The Perfect Moment

Right after delivering great service.

Examples:

Garage: When customer collects their car, happy with the work
Restaurant: When they pay and compliment the food
Tradesperson: When job's complete and customer's pleased
Accountant: When tax return saves them money
Retailer: When customer's excited about purchase

Why timing matters: Happy emotion + immediate action = review left. Wait a week and they forget or can't be bothered.

Don't Ask When:

❌ Job's not finished
❌ Customer seems unhappy
❌ You messed something up
❌ Before you've actually helped them
❌ Multiple times (once per customer)

How to Actually Ask (Without Being Awkward)

In Person

Bad: "Would you maybe possibly consider leaving us a review if you have time?"

Good: "I'm glad you're happy with the work. Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? I'll text you the link right now - takes 30 seconds."

Why it works: Direct, confident, makes it easy.

Via Text/Email

Bad: Generic request weeks later when they've forgotten about you.

Good: Within 24 hours while they're still happy.

Text template: "Hi [Name], glad we could help with [specific thing]. If you're happy with the service, would you leave us a Google review? Here's the link: [direct review link]. Takes 30 seconds. Thanks! - [Your name]"

Why it works: Specific, personal, direct link, quick.

The Direct Link

Get your unique Google review link:

Google your business
Click "Write a review"
Copy that URL
Save it somewhere easy to access
Send it to customers

Don't make them search for you. Direct link = 10x more reviews.

The System That Gets 50+ Reviews

Month 1: Setup

Week 1:

Get your Google review link
Create text/email template
Brief your team if you have one
Set goal: 10 reviews this month

Week 2-4:

Ask every happy customer
Track who you asked
Send link immediately
Follow up after 2 days if not left

Result: 8-12 new reviews

Month 2: Momentum

Continue asking every happy customer
Response to all reviews (builds more trust)
Goal: Another 10 reviews
You're now at 18-22 total

Month 3: Compound Effect

Now have credibility (20+ reviews)
Keep asking consistently
Goal: 10 more
You're at 28-32 total

After 6 months: 50+ reviews, dominating local search.

What to Say to Encourage Reviews

Don't: "Leave a 5-star review"Looks desperate, people see through it.

Do: "If you're happy with the service, would you share your experience?"Genuine, no pressure.

Do mention what to include: "Feel free to mention the [specific service] or [specific result]."

Example for plumber: "If you're happy with the boiler repair, would you leave a review mentioning what we did? Helps other Kempston residents know we can help them too."

Responding to Reviews (Build Even More Trust)

Good Reviews

Template: "Thanks [Name]! Glad we could help with [specific thing mentioned]. Appreciate you taking time to leave this review."

Why respond:

Shows you care
Encourages others to leave reviews
Looks professional to people reading

Negative Reviews

Don't: Argue, make excuses, ignore

Do: Acknowledge, apologise, offer solution

Template: "Thanks for the feedback, [Name]. Sorry you weren't happy with [specific issue]. We'd like to make this right - please contact us at [number] so we can resolve this."

Why it works:

Shows you care about problems
Potential customers see you're responsive
Often resolves issue privately after

Tools That Help

SMS Review Requests:

TextLocal (UK)
Twilio
Your CRM if it has SMS

Email Review Requests:

Mailchimp
Your email marketing tool
Google Forms with link

Review Management:

Google Business Profile app (free)
BrightLocal
ReviewTrackers

Start simple: Just your phone and Google review link. Fancy tools come later.

Common Mistakes Bedford Businesses Make

Mistake 1: Not asking

Waiting for reviews to magically appear. They won't. You must ask.

Mistake 2: Making it complicated

"Go to Google, search for us, click reviews, write one."Too many steps. Send direct link.

Mistake 3: Asking once then giving up

One customer says "yeah sure" and doesn't do it. That's normal. Follow up once after 2 days.

Mistake 4: Only asking online

Ask in person when they're right there and happy. Much higher success rate.

Mistake 5: Ignoring reviews

Not responding = looks like you don't care.

Legal Stuff (Quick Version)

Can do:

✅ Ask happy customers for reviews
✅ Remind them once
✅ Send them direct link
✅ Ask what service to mention

Can't do:

❌ Pay for reviews
❌ Write fake reviews
❌ Offer incentive for review
❌ Only ask for 5-star reviews
❌ Delete negative reviews (can flag if fake)

Keep it honest. Real reviews from real customers.

Fast Track: 30 Days to 20+ Reviews

Week 1:

Get review link
Ask last 10 happy customers (text them)
Goal: 5 reviews

Week 2:

Ask every customer this week
Follow up on week 1 non-responders
Goal: 5 more reviews (10 total)

Week 3:

Continue asking all customers
Respond to all reviews so far
Goal: 5 more (15 total)

Week 4:

Same process
Now have momentum
Goal: 5 more (20 total)

20+ reviews in one month if you actually do it consistently.

Why This Beats Competitors

Most Bedford businesses:

Don't ask systematically
Don't make it easy
Don't follow up
Don't respond to reviews

You:

Ask every happy customer
Send direct link
Follow up once
Respond to all reviews

Result: You dominate local search while they wonder why they're not getting found.

When Reviews Actually Translate to Customers

Reviews work best with:

Optimized Google Business Profile
Professional website
Clear services and pricing
Fast response to enquiries

Reviews alone aren't magic. But combined with proper local marketing, they're the difference between being invisible and dominating Bedford searches.