Online reviews are crucial for landscaping companies because they significantly enhance the company's online visibility and credibility. Getting those reviews can be very difficult though. The following guide will show you how to get more 5 star reviews that can lead to increased customer engagement, higher conversion rates, and sustained business growth.

Google Reviews Are Important

There are a variety of benefits to getting more 5 star Google Reviews:

  • Google is used the most: The vast majority of people use Google reviews much more often than sites like Yelp to evaluate local businesses.
  • Increase organic search traffic: Reviews improve local SEO, making it easier for prospective clients to find the company when searching for landscaping services in their area.
  • Build trust and increase conversion: Positive reviews build trust and influence potential customers' decisions, as many people rely on reviews to gauge the quality of services before inquiring or making a purchase decision.
  • More leads and customers: If you're consistently getting highly rated reviews, you'll rank higher in search engines which will send more free traffic. Prospects will also trust you more and reach out for estimates and purchase from you more often.
  • No website needed: Even if you don't have a website, you can still rank well in Google if you consistently get 5 star reviews. This can help drive leads via phone calls while you set up your website.

How to Get More 5 Star Reviews

The following tips are the most important for consistently getting 5 star reviews.

Provide Great Service

If you aren't providing great services and finished products, then it will be very difficult to get good reviews. Ensure that your employees are trained well, that they complete services on time or faster, that customer service is helpful, and most of all that you are striving to make customers happy.

Claim Your Google Business Profile

Before you start getting more Google reviews, you need to claim your Google Business Profile if you haven't already. It allows you to create a one-step short link that makes it really easy for customers to add reviews. It also allows you to read, respond to, and manage your reviews.

Make It As Easy As Possible

Once you have claimed your Google Business Profile, you'll want to find and copy the link that goes directly to the where customers can add their review. This simplifies the process and you'll get many more reviews using the link since it removes multiple steps or confusing instructions.

You can also create QR codes or shortened links that send people to your Google Review URL. QR codes and shortened links can be added to business cards, invoices or receipts, emails, etc.

Ask for Reviews in Multiple Places

Some people will leave good reviews on their own but the vast majority of people won't unless they are asked. Also, people that leave reviews without being asked are more likely to leave a negative review which makes it even more important to consistently ask for reviews in order to get more positive reviews. Examples of how to ask for reviews:

  • In person: you are more likely to get a review when asking in-person and right after the job is completed. You can add a QR code to business cards to simplify the process or email the customer a shortened link.
  • Job completion follow ups: add QR codes or links to receipts or post job surveys.
  • Automated emails: create an automated email program that emails customers asking for a review 3-4 times after the job is completed. Time the emails so they are close to when the job is completed and are spaced out a couple of days.
  • Direct mail: send thank you cards or small gifts with the QR code asking for a review.
  • Add to surveys: if you send out customer surveys, you can follow up with customers that give positive feedback.
  • Add review requests to existing processes: adding and standardizing review requests to customer service processes or sales team processes and checklists can significantly increase reviews.
  • Customer sweepstakes: sending emails to past customers to ask for a review in exchange for an entry into a sweepstakes for a prize.
  • Ask vendors and partners: this can be a quick way to increase high rating reviews in the short term but doesn't help as much with prospects researching.
Offer Incentives

You can't offer incentives specifically for positive reviews since it violates guidelines, you can encourage reviews in general by offering a small incentive.

  • Discounts: offer a discount on future services or products.
  • Gift cards: offer a small gift card to a local restaurant or store.
  • Free services: offer a free service or product.
  • Sweepstakes: enter reviewers into a sweepstakes for a larger prize like a gift card.
Create a Review Page for Your Website

Create a page on your website that has links to Google, Yelp, and other review websites with clear instructions on how to leave a review. You can also show other reviews here so customers can get ideas for what to write.