Local SEO guide
Reviews help you rank in Google Maps, persuade customers to call, and give AI tools something to say about you. Here’s a simple system any Irish business can run, with scripts you can copy.
Short answer
To get more Google reviews, ask every happy customer at the moment they’re happiest, send a direct review link by text or WhatsApp, make it take under a minute, and follow up once. Reply to every review. Never buy reviews, offer rewards, or only ask happy customers through a filter. That breaks Google’s rules and Irish consumer law.
Key takeaways
- Timing matters most, so ask at the happiest moment
- A direct link by text or WhatsApp beats a sign on the wall
- A steady flow every month beats a big burst
- Reply to every review, including the bad ones
- Fake or incentivised reviews can get your profile penalised
Why reviews matter so much
Rankings
Review count, rating and recency are among the strongest Google Maps signals.
Clicks
People compare stars and recent comments before they call.
AI answers
AI tools read reviews and directories when they recommend local businesses. AI SEO guide
Step 1: Get your direct review link
In your Google Business Profile, choose “Ask for reviews” to copy your short link. Save it on your phone and turn it into a QR code for cards, invoices and your counter.
Step 2: Ask at the right moment
Trades and construction
At handover, when the client says “that looks great”.
Clinics
At checkout, after a successful appointment.
Restaurants and cafés
When guests compliment the food or pay the bill.
Professional services
When a case closes or a return is filed successfully.
Step 3: Copy-and-paste scripts
Text or WhatsApp
“Hi Sarah, thanks again for choosing us for the bathroom. If you’re happy with the job, would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It really helps a small Irish business like ours: [link]. Thanks! Alex”
“Thanks for working with us. If you have 30 seconds, a Google review would mean a lot: [link]. Tell other people what we did and how it went.”
In person
“Would you mind leaving us a Google review? I’ll text you the link now, and it only takes a minute.”
Gentle follow-up (once)
“Hi Sarah, just a quick reminder about the review link if you get a minute. No worries if not!”
Step 4: Reply to every review
- Positive: thank them by name, and mention the service and area naturally (“Glad the attic conversion in Swords worked out!”).
- Negative: reply calmly within a couple of days, acknowledge it, take it offline, and never argue publicly. Future customers read your reply more than the complaint.
What’s not allowed
Avoid this
- Buying reviews or using review “services”
- Offering discounts, gifts or entries into draws for reviews
- Writing reviews for yourself, or asking staff or family to
- Only sending the link to customers you’ve pre-screened as happy (“review gating”)
- Copying reviews from other sites
Fake reviews break Google’s policies and are banned under EU and Irish consumer protection law.
Frequently asked questions
How many Google reviews do I need?
Aim to beat the businesses in your local map pack, both in total and in how many you get each month. Recent reviews count for more.
Can I delete bad Google reviews?
Only Google can remove reviews, and only if they break its policies (for example spam, conflicts of interest or offensive content). You can flag them in your Business Profile.
Do keywords in reviews help?
Reviews that naturally mention the service and area seem to help relevance. Don’t tell customers what to write. Just ask them to describe the job.
Should I reply to every review?
Yes. Replies show you care, help win future customers, and keep your profile active.
Want a review system set up for you?
We’ll create your review links, QR cards and message templates, and track your monthly review growth.