How to get more Google reviews for your business – without breaking the rules

24 October 2026

When someone searches "hair salon near me" or asks ChatGPT for a good salon, one of the first things they see is how many reviews a business has and its rating. A business with 300 reviews will almost always be chosen over an excellent one with 2. The reason most businesses have few reviews is simple: they didn't ask.

When to ask

The best time is the day after the visit: the experience is still fresh, the client is home and has a minute. Asking mid-appointment or at the till feels pushy; asking two weeks later is already forgotten.

How to ask

A short, personal message: "Hi Sarah, how was it? We'd love a quick rating" – no long text
A direct link: one tap should take the client straight to the right place
Once per visit, and not too often for a regular client
No offers in the message – a message that only asks for a rating isn't advertising

What not to do

Google has clear rules, and businesses that break them may find their reviews removed or new reviews paused:

Asking only happy clients ("review gating") – not allowed. Send the request to everyone
Giving a discount, gift or perk in exchange for a review
Writing reviews yourself, or asking family and staff to
Buying reviews or using services that promise "100 reviews a week"

What to do with a negative review

Reply. Politely, briefly, without arguing: thank them for the feedback, apologise for the experience and offer to talk. New clients read the replies as much as the reviews – a respectful answer to a hard review signals a serious business.

Reviews on your own page

Beyond Google, it's worth having reviews on your business page too. When reviews are verified – only someone who really came can write one – clients trust them more.

How it works in Lumi

The day after the visit the client is asked to rate it (by email, and if you like – also by automatic SMS)
One button sends a request to all of last month's clients who haven't rated yet
Ratings are verified, appear on your business page, and are given to Google in a form it can show
Everyone who rated is invited to review you on Google too – by Google's rules