Why reviews matter, and how to get more of them

Reviews do two jobs. They reassure a customer who has never met you, and they give you a reason to be chosen when your price is not the lowest. A steady trickle is worth more than a burst, because recency matters to readers.

When to ask

On the day you finish, while the customer is pleased and the work is fresh. Walk the job with them, confirm they are happy, then ask. Asking a week later by text works far less well.

How to ask

Keep it short and make it easy: "Really glad you're happy with it. If you've got two minutes, a short review would genuinely help me — most of my work comes from people reading them." Then send the link the same day.

What makes a useful review

• The type of job, so future customers can match it to their own.
• Something specific — timekeeping, tidiness, how a problem was handled.
• A photo where the customer is willing.

Handling a negative review

1. Wait a day before replying. Nothing good is written while annoyed.
2. Reply publicly, briefly and factually. No blame, no long defence.
3. State what you offered to do to put it right.
4. Take the detail into a private conversation.

A measured reply to a poor review often reassures readers more than an unbroken run of five stars, because it shows what happens when something goes wrong.