How to Get More 5-Star Reviews for Your Home Service Business

As a home service provider, you already know that positive word of mouth can be the difference between a steady stream of customers and long periods of downtime where you struggle to find new leads.

This is why having a strong collection of online reviews can be so pivotal for growing your business. Not to mention the fact that Google says high-quality, positive customer reviews can boost your company’s visibility in its search results.

But securing those 5-star reviews doesn’t just happen automatically—it calls for a dedicated process that you integrate into your day-to-day marketing routine.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the most powerful tactics for cultivating positive reviews for your home service business.

Let’s dive right in.

6 Best Practices for Increasing 5-Star Reviews for Your Home Service Business

1. Create and Maintain a Google Business Profile

When it comes to online review sites, Google is the top dog.

In fact, as much as 81% of consumers use the platform to look up reviews.

But to ensure that customers can find and review your business on Google, you’ll need to claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. 

This is a free listing that lets you showcase your business directly in Google’s local search results and on Google Maps. It makes it easy for people in your area to discover your services and leave feedback.

Your Business Profile can highlight key details about your business, including contact information, a description of your services, and, of course, customer ratings and reviews.

For example, here’s the Business Profile for Tennessee Standard Plumbing in Knoxville: 

To get the most out of your Business Profile, it’s important to populate it with accurate and comprehensive information about your business. 

Doing so can improve your visibility in local search results and boost your chances of securing new customers. In fact, Google says people are 50% more likely to do business with you if you have a completed profile. 

So, when filling out your profile, be sure to prioritize the following information: 

• Business category and services: Specify the type of services you offer, such as plumbing, HVAC, or electrical work, to help customers (and Google) understand what you do.
• Contact details: Ensure your phone number, address, and website are accurate so customers can reach you easily.
• Operating hours: Keep your hours up-to-date (especially during holidays or seasonal changes) to avoid confusion.
• Photos and videos of your work: Upload high-quality photos and videos that showcase your completed projects, team, and even your workspace or vehicles. This visual content helps customers get a sense of your quality and professionalism.

Further reading: GMB Optimization: Tips to Rank Your Google Business Profile

2. Make It Easy for Customers to Leave Reviews

One of the most powerful tactics for boosting your review count is simply to give customers multiple options for giving feedback. People are more likely to review your business if you make the process as convenient as possible. 

This means providing simple ways to leave a review across different customer touchpoints. 

For example, you could add a linked invitation to your digital receipts, company text messages, or inside a QR code that you place on your business card. You could also add a “Leave Us a Review” button on the homepage of your website.

To create an invitation link for your Google Business Profile, sign in to your account and click Read reviews > Get reviews. From there, you can copy the link directly or use one of the other available options to share the invite with customers.

3. Ask for Reviews in “Thank You” Emails

Another effective way to request reviews is to send customers a simple thank-you email once you’ve completed a service for them.

A genuine message expressing gratitude for the customer’s business ends your service engagement on a positive note and warms them up to the idea of giving a positive review. This is especially true if you personalize the message.

There’s no need to overdo your thank-you email—keep it short and sincere. Mention how much you enjoyed working with them and let them know you’d be happy to help them again in the future. And ask if they’d consider leaving you a review and include a review link to your Google Business Profile (or your preferred review platform). 

Here’s an example message you could repurpose as needed:

“Hi [customer’s name],

Thank you for choosing us for your [service type] needs! It was a pleasure working with you, and we hope you’re happy with the results. If you have a moment, we’d greatly appreciate it if you could share your experience by leaving a review. Your feedback not only helps us improve but also helps others in the community feel confident in choosing our services.

You can leave a review here: [review link]

Thanks again, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can assist you with anything in the future!”

4. Follow-Up with Customers You’ve Emailed

After sending a thank-you email, you might need to follow up with a gentle reminder if you haven’t received a response. 

Although it’s not advisable to constantly bombard a customer with requests, a polite, one-off follow-up message can serve as a friendly nudge without feeling pushy. After all, they might have missed the first email or simply forgotten to respond.

Wait about a week after the initial thank-you email. Then, if they haven’t responded, send a short, friendly message. 

Something like this:

“Hi [Customer’s name], 

Just a quick follow-up on our last message—if you’re happy with the service, we’d truly appreciate a quick review! We know your time is valuable, so we won’t ask again. Here’s the link if you’d like to share your thoughts: [review link]. 

Thanks once more!”

5. Respond to Customer Reviews

The next tip is to respond to as many reviews as you can—whether they’re positive or negative.

Responding to reviews has several benefits. 

First, it fosters trust in your company since it shows you genuinely value customer feedback. 

Second, your attentiveness to what customers say may encourage even more customers to leave reviews. 

And third, a recent survey found that people are 41% more likely to choose a company that responds to reviews than those that don’t. 

So, how should you handle review responses?

For positive reviews, the main goal is to simply show that you’re grateful. A short “thank you” message personalized to the reviewer works just fine.  

Like this:

For negative reviews, it’s important to keep your tone respectful and empathetic—even if you disagree with the customer’s feedback. 

This doesn’t mean you should accept blame for something that wasn’t your fault or offer excessive concessions to appease a particularly harsh reviewer. 

But in general, it’s best to acknowledge their concern, apologize if necessary, and describe how you plan to rectify any shortcomings in your future service delivery. And in some cases, it may be appropriate to offer them a tangible gesture of goodwill, such as a discount, refund, or simply an opportunity to speak directly with a customer service representative to fix the issue.

Remember, a thoughtful response to a negative review could help you win back that customer. Moreover, it shows other readers that your company is committed to getting things right.

6. Consistently Deliver an Outstanding Service

Last but not least, positive reviews depend on you providing customers with high-quality service.

Put simply, you’ll struggle to secure any number of five-star reviews if your service doesn’t meet (or exceed) your customers’ expectations. But when customers have a genuinely positive experience with your company, they’re far more likely to leave a glowing review.

Here are some general tips to ensure your service stands out:

• Be prompt and punctual: Arriving on time and responding quickly to inquiries sets the tone for a professional experience.
• Communicate clearly: Keep your customers informed about what they can expect, including timelines, costs, and any necessary preparation for your visit.
• Pay attention to detail: Go the extra mile by addressing small touches that make customers feel valued, such as cleaning up after the job or providing maintenance tips.
• Show genuine appreciation: Express gratitude for their business and let them know you’re here to help with any future needs.

Final Thoughts

Securing more 5-star reviews for your home service business is all about consistently delivering value, building trust, and engaging with customers in a thoughtful way.

By following these best practices, you can not only boost your online reputation but also create a loyal customer base that keeps coming back and spreads positive word of mouth. 

Start integrating these steps into your daily routine, and watch as your business reputation—and client base—grows.