You just wrapped up another successful job. The customer seemed happy, shook your hand, and said they'd definitely recommend you to their friends. Fast forward three weeks, and... crickets. No review anywhere to be found.
Sound familiar? You're definitely not alone. Getting customers to leave reviews feels like trying to herd cats sometimes. But here's the thing – there's actually a incredibly simple solution hiding in everyone's pocket: text messaging.
But it's important to do SMS review requests right. Keep them friendly and direct, and make leaving a review as easy as tapping a link. No jumping through hoops, no lengthy explanations—just a quick "Hey, mind leaving us a review?" approach that actually works.
Let's be honest about email for a second. When was the last time you opened every single email in your inbox? If you're like most people, you probably scan the subject lines and delete about 80% without opening them. According to recent data, the average email open rate across industries hovers around 21.5%.
Text messages? They get opened 98% of the time, usually within three minutes of being received. That's not just a small difference – that's a completely different game.
But it's not just about open rates. Think about the psychology here. When someone gets a text message, their brain treats it differently than an email. Texts feel personal and immediate. They're from real people, not marketing departments. When a real person texts Ron asking for a review, it doesn't feel like spam – it feels like a genuine request from someone who just provided great service.
Here's what a great review request text looks like in action. Let's say you run a landscaping company and just finished installing a new sprinkler system for a customer named Maria:
"Hi Maria! Thanks for choosing GreenThumb Landscaping for your sprinkler installation. Could you take 30 seconds to leave us a review using this link? https://r.podium.co/abc123 Your feedback helps other homeowners find reliable landscaping services. Have a great day!"
Simple, right? But there are four key ingredients that separate texts like this from ones that get ignored.
First, notice how it starts: "Hi Maria!" That's not "Dear Customer" or "Valued Client." It's personal, warm, and acknowledges the specific relationship. Using someone's actual name isn't just polite – it's psychologically powerful. When people see their name, their brain perks up and pays attention.
Second, they make the ask crystal clear. "Could you take 30 seconds to leave us a review using this link?" No beating around the bush, no dancing around what they want. They're being direct and honest about the request. The "30 seconds" part is brilliant too – it sets an expectation that this won't be a huge time commitment.
The third element is removing friction. The text includes a direct link to the review platform. No "go to Google and search for us" or "find us on Yelp." Just tap, review, done. This is where a lot of businesses mess up – they make customers work to leave a review. The easier you make it, the more reviews you'll get.
Finally, the tone stays conversational throughout. It sounds like something an actual human would say, not a corporate robot. "Have a great day!" instead of "Thank you for your continued patronage." The difference matters more than you might think.
When you send your review request can be just as important as what you say. Most businesses get this wrong because they either wait too long or jump the gun.
The sweet spot is usually within 24 hours of completing the service or delivering the product. The experience is still fresh in the customer's mind, and they haven't been distracted by a dozen other things yet. Wait too long, and the customer might barely remember the interaction. Send it too soon (like while you're still on-site), and it can feel pushy.
But here's where it gets interesting – different industries have different rhythms. A restaurant should probably text the next day after a great dining experience. A contractor might wait until the end of the week after a multi-day project. An online retailer should probably send the text a few days after delivery to make sure the customer has actually used the product.
Data also shows that people are less likely to engage with business communications on Sunday evenings and Monday mornings. Tuesday through Thursday between 10 AM and 2 PM tends to be the sweet spot for business texting. Your mileage may vary, but it's a good starting point.
Not everyone will accept your first request, and that's totally normal. The key is knowing how to follow up without becoming annoying.
Wait at least a week before sending a follow-up. Give people time to actually see and process your first message. Life gets busy, and sometimes even the most well-intentioned customers need a reminder.
Your follow-up shouldn't be identical to your first text. Maybe mention a specific aspect of the service you provided: "Hi Sarah! Hope you're loving your new kitchen backsplash. If you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review about your experience."
But here's the hard rule: two texts maximum. After that, you're crossing into spam territory and potentially damaging the goodwill you worked hard to build.
I've seen businesses make the same review request mistakes over and over. Here are the big ones to avoid:
The desperate plea: "We really need reviews to help our business grow!" makes the request about you, not about helping other customers make informed decisions. Nobody owes you a review just because you need one.
The guilt trip: "We noticed you haven't left us a review yet..." makes customers feel bad for not doing something they never committed to doing in the first place.
The novel-length explanation: Keep it short. If your text requires scrolling, it's too long. Remember, you promised this would take 30 seconds.
The generic template: "Dear Valued Customer" screams mass marketing. If you're going to text people, make it feel personal.
Star ratings are great, but detailed reviews are pure gold. They provide social proof, improve your search visibility, and help potential customers understand exactly what makes you different. The trick is encouraging more detailed feedback without being pushy about it.
Instead of asking "How was everything?" try getting specific: "How did the installation process go?" or "What did you think of our new online ordering system?" Specific questions get specific answers.
You can also plant seeds for the kinds of things you want potential customers to hear about. Try something like: "If the quick response time or attention to detail stood out to you, we'd love if you could mention that in your review."
Another approach is reframing the review as helping others, not just helping your business: "Your feedback helps other families find reliable service providers in the area." This makes the request feel less self-serving and more community-minded.
You've got options when it comes to review platforms, and each one serves a different purpose. Google Business Profile should probably be your first priority – these reviews show up in search results and on Google Maps, making them incredibly valuable for local businesses. Plus, most people already have Google accounts, so there's less friction.
But don't ignore industry-specific platforms. Restaurants might want to prioritize Yelp. Contractors might focus on Angie's List or HomeAdvisor. Think about where your potential customers are most likely to look for businesses like yours.
And here's something many businesses overlook: collecting reviews directly on your website. These won't help with search visibility as much, but they give you complete control over how they're displayed and can be powerful for conversion.
Track these metrics to see how well your text-based review requests are performing:
Response rate: What percentage of people who receive your text actually leave a review? Industry averages vary widely, but anything above 10% is generally considered good.
Time to response: How long does it typically take from sending the text to receiving the review? Faster responses usually indicate higher customer satisfaction.
Review quality: Are you getting detailed, helpful reviews or just quick star ratings? The quality of feedback can be more valuable than quantity.
Platform distribution: Are customers leaving reviews where you asked them to, or are they going elsewhere? This can help you refine your platform strategy.
Once you've got the basics down, you can start getting more sophisticated. Different customers might respond better to different messaging – a first-time customer might need more context about why reviews matter, while a repeat customer might just need a friendly reminder.
Consider integrating your review requests with your existing systems. Connect them to your CRM or project management platform to ensure no customer falls through the cracks and help you track which types of jobs generate the best reviews.
You might also want to personalize based on service type. The text you send after installing a new HVAC system should probably be different from the one you send after a quick repair job. Match your messaging to the magnitude of the work.
Before you start firing off review requests, make sure you're doing it legally. You need permission to text customers for marketing purposes, and review requests count as marketing. The easiest way is to get consent during the sale or service process.
Every business text should include a way for people to stop receiving messages. "Reply STOP to opt out" is the standard approach. And here's a big one: only text people who have done business with you and consented to receive texts. Buying phone lists and blasting review requests is both illegal and ineffective.
When you start getting more reviews through text requests, the benefits compound quickly:
The most successful businesses don't treat review requests as an afterthought – they build them into their entire customer experience:
The bottom line? Text messaging isn't just another channel for asking for reviews – it's often the most effective one. When you combine the immediate, personal nature of texting with a thoughtful, customer-focused approach, you create a system that actually works.
Start simple, be genuine, and remember that every review request is an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with a customer. Get that part right, and the reviews will follow naturally.