Review collection · Best practices

How to Ask Customers for Reviews: 10+ Scripts & Templates

Copy-and-paste scripts for asking customers for reviews on Google Business Profile, Trustpilot, and more. Includes templates for in-person, WhatsApp, SMS, and email requests, plus timing tips that get responses.

By Abhishek Gharat Last updated

Summary: The fastest path to more reviews is asking at the right moment with the right words. In-person requests at checkout have the highest conversion rate, followed by a single, timely SMS or WhatsApp follow-up. Guided prompts that help customers know what to write are critical for turning a customer's intent to review into a posted review.

The three principles of a review request that works

  1. Ask immediately after the experience. The longer you wait, the lower the conversion rate. Ask when the satisfaction is still fresh — at checkout, after the meal, at the end of the appointment.
  2. Make it frictionless. Every extra step loses customers. A QR code that opens a guided flow beats a link, which beats an email, which beats a verbal ask with no next step.
  3. Tell them what to write. Most customers freeze at a blank text box. Give them 2–3 guiding questions and conversion triples.

In-person scripts (highest conversion)

Verbal requests at the moment of peak satisfaction convert at the highest rate. The key is a brief, genuine ask — not a scripted announcement.

After a haircut or salon service

"We'd love to hear what you thought. If you have 60 seconds, could you leave us a quick review on Google? Just point your phone at this card." [Hand the QR card.]

After a restaurant meal (presenting the bill)

"Hope you enjoyed the food! We're always trying to improve — if you liked it, a quick Google review would mean a lot to us. The QR is right on the bill folder."

After a clinic appointment or consultation

"Thank you for coming in today. If you're happy with your visit, we'd really appreciate a Google review — it helps other patients find us. There's a QR at the counter."

WhatsApp and SMS templates (second-highest conversion)

Send within 30–90 minutes of the experience ending. Keep it short, personal, and include the direct review link.

Template 1 — casual, first name

Hi [Name]! Thank you for visiting [Business] today. If you enjoyed your experience, could you leave us a quick Google review? It takes under a minute: [Your Google review link]

Template 2 — with guiding questions

Hi [Name], thank you for your visit! If you have 60 seconds, we'd love a Google review. Not sure what to write? Just mention: what you came in for, who helped you, and what you liked best. [Your Google review link]

Template 3 — post-delivery or order

Hi [Name], hope you're enjoying your [product/order]! A quick Google review would really help us. Here's the direct link: [Your Google review link] — takes about a minute. Thank you!

Email templates (lower conversion, useful for service businesses)

Use email follow-ups for B2B, professional services, and situations where WhatsApp is not appropriate.

Post-service email — subject: "How did we do?"

Subject: How did we do, [Name]?

Hi [Name],

Thank you for choosing [Business Name] for your recent [service/visit]. We hope everything went smoothly.

If you have a moment, we'd be grateful for a Google review — it helps other customers find us and tells us what we're doing right. You can leave one here: [Your Google review link]

Not sure what to write? Just mention what you came in for and what stood out. Anything honest is helpful.

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Business Name]

What NOT to do when asking for reviews

How to ask for reviews by industry

The best moment and phrasing differs by business type. Use the approach that fits your context:

Restaurants & cafés

Best moment: When presenting the bill or at payment.

Script: "Hope the food was great! If you'd like to leave a quick Google or Zomato review, the QR is right on the bill folder."

Platform priority: Google → Zomato → Tripadvisor (tourist areas)

Salons & beauty

Best moment: Immediately after the treatment, while the customer admires the result in the mirror.

Script: "So happy you love it! We'd be so grateful for a quick Google review — it really helps us. Scan the QR at the counter."

Platform priority: Google → Justdial (India)

Clinics & healthcare

Best moment: At checkout after a positive consultation, or via a neutral SMS within 2 hours.

Script: "Thank you for visiting. If the consultation was helpful, we'd appreciate a Google review — the QR is at the desk."

Platform priority: Google → Healthgrades/RateMDs (US) → Practo (India) → Jameda (Germany)

Home services & trades

Best moment: Right after the job is complete and the customer has seen the work.

Script: "Great to work with you! If you're happy with the job, a Google review would mean a lot — I'll send you a quick link."

Platform priority: Google → Angi/HomeAdvisor (US) → Checkatrade/TrustATrader (UK) → Justdial (India)

Car dealerships

Best moment: At key handover when buyer is emotionally at peak.

Script: "Congratulations on the new car! A DealerRater review mentioning my name would mean a lot to me and the team — here's a card with the QR."

Platform priority: DealerRater → Google → Edmunds

Hotels & hospitality

Best moment: At checkout, or via Review Express email 24 hours after departure.

Script: "Hope you had a wonderful stay! If you have a moment, a Tripadvisor or Google review would be hugely appreciated."

Platform priority: Google → Tripadvisor → Booking.com → Agoda (APAC)

How Saint Aura automates review requests

Instead of manually sending messages after every visit, Saint Aura sets up a QR code flow that handles the entire review journey:

This removes the manual work, eliminates the blank-page problem, and provides an outlet for unhappy customers to share feedback privately — all without chasing anyone on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to ask for a review?

The best time is immediately after the customer's experience is complete and positive — at checkout, when the food arrives, after the appointment ends. Satisfaction is highest in that window. Asking days later, via email follow-up, still works but converts at a lower rate.

Is it legal or allowed to ask customers for reviews?

Yes. Google, Trustpilot, Yelp, and most platforms explicitly allow you to ask for reviews. What is not allowed is offering incentives for positive reviews, writing reviews on a customer's behalf, or asking only happy customers (review gating). Saint Aura's flow is designed to invite all customers fairly.

What is the best way to ask for a Google review?

In person at the point of maximum satisfaction is the highest-converting method. Follow up with a single WhatsApp or SMS message that includes your direct Google review link. Keep the message short — under 3 lines — and make it personal rather than mass-broadcast.

How do I get more customers to actually leave a review?

Reduce friction. The customer should go from request to review in under a minute. A QR code that opens a guided review flow — rather than a blank text box — dramatically increases completion rates because it solves the blank-page problem. Saint Aura's guided prompts do this automatically.

How many times should I follow up with a review request?

Once, by default. A single timely request is effective. A second message sent 3–5 days later if no review has appeared can increase the number of responses. Beyond that, follow-up requests tend to damage customer relationships more than they produce reviews.

How do I create a QR code for Google reviews?

First, get your direct Google review link from your Google Business Profile dashboard. You can then use a free online QR code generator to turn that link into a QR code. However, a standard QR code just sends customers to a blank review form. Saint Aura provides a QR code that opens a guided review flow, which asks customers helpful questions to overcome writer's block and increases the number of detailed reviews you receive.

Can I text a customer to ask for a review?

Yes, sending a review request via SMS or WhatsApp is highly effective. You must have the customer's consent to message them. In the United States, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) requires express consent for marketing messages. A single review request following a transaction is often permissible, but it is best practice to get explicit permission when you collect their phone number.

What's the difference between a Google review link and a Saint Aura link?

A standard Google review link takes a customer directly to the blank review submission form on your Google Business Profile. A Saint Aura review link, shared via QR code or message, takes the customer to a guided experience first. It asks them 3-4 specific questions about their visit, uses their answers to draft a detailed review, and then directs them to post it on Google. This process removes friction and helps customers write more useful reviews.

How to Find Your Direct Google Review Link

A direct link makes it easy for customers to leave a review. Sending them to your Google search result adds friction and lowers completion rates. Use the official short link from your Google Business Profile dashboard.

  1. Go to the Google Business Profile Manager and sign in.
  2. If you manage multiple locations, select the one you need the link for.
  3. On your profile's home screen, find the card labeled "Get more reviews" and click the "Share review form" button.
  4. A popup will appear with your unique, short review link (it looks like g.page/r/.../review). Click to copy it.

This is the link you should use in all your SMS, WhatsApp, and email templates. It takes the customer directly to the review submission window for your business, pre-filled with their Google account.

Stop chasing reviews by hand

Saint Aura turns one QR scan into a guided review journey — prompts, multilingual draft, and a direct link to post. No follow-up messages. No blank text box.