Review automation is a rule in your job system: when a job is marked complete, the customer receives a short message thanking them and linking straight to your Google review page. We write the messages, set the timing, connect it to your CRM and keep it within Google's rules. We don't do any trade work; we set up how you ask for feedback after your crew has done theirs.
Why manual asking fails
Most trades owners agree reviews matter, and most still ask inconsistently. The tech forgets, the office is busy, and the owner asks only the customers who were obviously delighted. The result is a profile with a burst of reviews from one good month and then silence.
Automation fixes consistency, which is the whole game. If you complete 60 jobs a month and one customer in eight leaves a review when asked, that's about seven or eight new reviews a month, every month, or roughly 90 a year. Without automation, the same shop might ask 15 customers and get two reviews.
What Google's rules allow
Google's Maps user-generated content policy allows businesses to encourage genuine reviews. It also sets limits that shape how we build the system:
- no incentives (payment, discounts, free services) in exchange for a review
- no selective asking: you can't send requests only to customers you expect to be happy, or discourage negative reviews
- no pressure on customers to review while staff are on the premises
- no asking for specific content in the review
That's why our setup sends the same request to every completed job. Fake or misleading reviews also raise issues under Canada's Competition Act rules on misleading representations. We never write, buy or post reviews.
What's included
- Trigger design. The request fires when the job status changes to complete, or when the invoice is paid, whichever fits your trade.
- Timing. Same day for quick service calls; a few days later for larger projects so the customer has lived with the result.
- Message templates for text and email, short and specific to your trade, with placeholders such as [First name], [Tech name] and [Business name].
- Direct links to your Google review form so the customer is one tap from writing.
- One reminder, then stop. A single follow-up if there's no response, never a stream of nagging.
- Opt-outs and consent records, in line with CASL, kept in your CRM.
- Response routine. A simple process for replying to every review, positive or critical, within a few days.
Timeline and measurement
Setup takes one to three weeks if your jobs already live in a CRM. If not, we start with the paper to CRM migration because automation needs a reliable "job complete" signal.
We measure:
- requests sent versus jobs completed (should be close to 100%)
- response rate to requests
- new reviews per month and average rating trend
- your reply rate and reply time
We can't promise ratings or review counts; customers decide what they write. As an example from our HVAC work, GasBoilers.ca holds 5.0★ from 76+ Google reviews. See more on our results page.
How it fits with the rest of your systems
Review requests work best as the last step in a chain. The CRM knows the job is done, the invoice has gone out, and the customer record holds the right phone number and consent status. That's why we usually set this up after digital invoicing. If the request fires when the invoice is paid, you also avoid asking a customer for a review while a billing question is still open.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking too late. Two weeks after the job, the moment has passed.
- Long messages. Three sentences and a link. Nobody reads a paragraph on a phone.
- Sending from a no-reply address. Customers sometimes reply with a problem; someone needs to see it.
- Ignoring critical reviews. A calm, specific reply often does more for trust than another five-star review.
- Switching it off in busy season. Busy season is when you complete the most jobs, so it's when automation earns the most.
Read the full review request guide for templates and timing, or see all services.
Frequently asked questions
Can we send the request only to happy customers?
No. Google's content policy says businesses may not selectively solicit positive reviews or discourage negative ones. We set the request to go to every completed job, and help you respond well to the occasional critical review.
Can we offer a discount for a review?
No. Google prohibits offering incentives such as discounts or free services in exchange for a review. A clear, polite ask at the right time works without one.
Text or email?
Text usually gets a faster response for residential trades; email suits commercial clients and longer jobs. Many shops send a text first and an email reminder a few days later if there's no response.
Will you write or post reviews for us?
Never. Every review must come from a real customer describing a real experience. We automate the ask, not the answer.