SMS is the most effective channel for collecting Google reviews. With a 95% open rate and a conversion rate 14 times higher than email, it's the preferred method for businesses looking to boost their online reputation.
In this guide, discover how to set up an SMS review request strategy, with ready-to-use templates for each industry and tools to automate the process.
Why SMS is the best channel to ask for Google reviews
Compared to other methods (email, QR code, face-to-face request), SMS has decisive advantages.
open rate for SMS, compared to 20% for emails. Your review request will be read.
— Mobile Marketing Association 2024
Unbeatable open rate. 95% of text messages are read within 3 minutes of receipt. Your review request won't end up in spam or forgotten in an overloaded inbox.
Simple for the customer. One clickable link, one click, and the customer lands directly on the page to leave their review. No searching, no complicated steps.
Perfect timing. You can send the SMS right after the service, when satisfaction is still fresh. It's the ideal moment to get a positive and detailed review.
High conversion rate. 70% of customers who receive an SMS with a direct link leave a review, compared to less than 5% spontaneously.
Conseil Reputacion
SMS works for all industries: contractors, retail, restaurants, healthcare, B2B services. As long as you have your customer's phone number and their consent, you can use it.
How to create your Google review link
Before sending text messages, you need the direct link to your Google review page. Not the link to your listing, but the link that opens the review writing window directly.
Via Google Business Profile
1. Log in to business.google.com
2. Select your business
3. In the menu, look for "Ask for reviews" or "Get more reviews"
4. Google provides a short link ready to share
Manually
1. Search for your business on Google
2. Click "Write a review" on your listing
3. Copy the URL of the page that opens
4. Shorten it with Bitly or TinyURL for a cleaner SMS
When to send your SMS
Timing strongly influences response rate. Too early, the customer hasn't had time to appreciate the result. Too late, they've forgotten.
Restaurants, retail, salons: Within an hour of the visit. The experience is still fresh.
Contractors, home services: The next morning. The customer has had time to enjoy the result.
Healthcare professionals: A few hours after the appointment. Not immediately (can seem intrusive), not too late (patient forgets).
B2B services: At the end of the project or after delivery. When the client can evaluate the result.
Attention
Avoid sending SMS after 8pm or on Sundays. Your review requests will have a better response rate on weekdays, between 10am and 7pm.
SMS templates by industry
Here are ready-to-use templates. Replace [First name] with the customer's name, [Business] with your name, and [link] with your Google review link.
Universal template
Short version:
"Thanks [First name]! Happy with our service? Your review helps us a lot: [link] — [Business]"
Standard version:
"Hi [First name], thanks for choosing us! If you have 30 seconds, your Google review would mean a lot: [link]. Thank you! — [Business]"
Contractor / Home services
"Hi [First name], we hope you're enjoying the finished work! Your review helps other customers find us: [link]. Thanks! — [Business]"
Restaurant / Bar
"Thanks for dining at [Restaurant]! Hope you had a great time. A Google review would mean a lot to us: [link]"
Retail / Shop
"Thanks for stopping by [First name]! Your feedback helps us serve you better. 30 seconds to rate us? [link] — [Store]"
Doctor / Dentist / Healthcare professional
"Hi [First name], thanks for your visit. If you're satisfied, your review helps other patients find us: [link]. — [Practice name]"
Physical therapist / Chiropractor / Allied health
"Hi [First name], hope you're feeling better after your session. Your Google review helps me reach more people: [link]. Thanks! — [Name]"
Hair salon / Spa / Beauty
"Hey [First name]! Hope you love your new look. A quick Google review to support us? [link] Thanks! — [Salon]"
Auto repair / Mechanic
"Hi [First name], thanks for trusting us with your car. Everything running smoothly? Your Google review helps a lot: [link] — [Shop]"
Real estate agent
"Hi [First name], congrats on your new home! If you appreciated my help, your review would be valuable: [link]. — [Agent]"
B2B / Agency
"Hi [First name], thanks for this collaboration. Your recommendation on Google would help us grow: [link]. — [Company]"
conversion rate when the SMS includes the customer's first name and a direct link
— Podium 2024
Golden rules for review request SMS
To maximize your results, follow these principles.
Personalize with the first name
An SMS that starts with "Hi [First name]" converts much better than a generic message. The customer feels you're addressing them personally.
Keep it short
A standard SMS is 160 characters. Beyond that, it gets split into multiple messages. Stick to the essentials: thank you, request, link, signature.
One direct link only
Not a link to your website. Not a link to your general Google listing. A direct link to the review writing page. Every extra click loses conversions.
Sign with your business name
The customer should immediately know who's texting them. Always end with your business name.
Never ask for a "positive" review
Ask for a review, period. Not a "5-star" review, not a "positive" review. Google prohibits explicitly soliciting positive reviews and can penalize your listing.
Attention
Send one SMS only. If the customer doesn't respond, don't follow up. Two or three reminders can be perceived as harassment and generate a negative review.
3 methods to send your SMS
From simplest to most effective, here are your options.
Method 1: Manual sending from your phone
How: After each service, you send a text from your personal or business phone.
Advantages: Free (within your phone plan), no tool to configure.
Disadvantages: Time-consuming, easy to forget, no tracking, no automatic personalization.
Best for: Freelancers with few clients per week.
Method 2: SMS sending platform
How: You use a platform like Twilio, MessageBird, or SimpleTexting to send bulk or scheduled SMS.
Advantages: Bulk sending possible, personalization via variables, scheduling.
Disadvantages: Technical setup required, not truly automatic (you need to trigger manually or build an integration).
Best for: Tech-savvy businesses that want to keep control.
Method 3: Dedicated review collection tool
How: A tool like Reputacion connects to your POS, CRM, or calendar and automatically sends an SMS after each service.
Advantages: 100% automatic, smart filtering (unhappy customers are redirected to a private form), result tracking, AI responses to reviews.
Disadvantages: Monthly cost (but pays for itself with the first reviews).
Best for: Any business that wants to collect reviews without thinking about it.
Reputacion: the tool to automate your SMS review requests
Reputacion automates the entire process of collecting Google reviews via SMS.
How it works
1. Connect to your tools. Reputacion connects to your POS, CRM, calendar, or customer file.
2. Automatic sending. After each service, a personalized SMS is sent to the customer with your review link.
3. Smart filtering. Before going to Google, the customer indicates their satisfaction. Happy customers go to Google, unhappy ones to a private form.
4. Tracking and responses. You get a notification for each new review and can respond with one click using AI.
Why Reputacion
The price. $19/month, 10 to 15 times cheaper than Birdeye or Podium.
Smart filtering. You collect positive reviews on Google and handle issues privately. Your rating is protected.
Simplicity. Setup in 10 minutes, no technical skills required.
Automate your SMS review requests
Reputacion automatically sends an SMS after each service. Smart filtering, personalization, AI responses. All for $19/month.
Try for freeFrequently asked questions
Is it legal to send SMS asking for reviews?
Yes, as long as you have the customer's consent to receive marketing SMS. If the customer gave you their number as part of a service and didn't opt out of communications, you can send them a follow-up SMS. When in doubt, add an opt-out mention ("Reply STOP to unsubscribe").
How much does an SMS cost?
Through a sending platform, expect $0.01 to $0.05 per SMS. With Reputacion, SMS are included in the $19/month subscription.
What if the customer doesn't leave a review?
Don't follow up. One SMS is enough. If the customer didn't respond, that's their choice. Focus on the next customers rather than harassing this one.
Can I send the same SMS to all my customers?
Yes, but personalize at minimum with the first name. A personalized SMS converts significantly better than a generic message.
Summary
SMS is the most effective channel to ask for Google reviews: 95% open rate, 70% conversion with a direct link. Far better than email or QR codes.
To succeed with SMS review requests: personalize with the first name, keep it short, include a direct link, send at the right time, and don't follow up.
You can send your SMS manually, but you'll forget. The most effective solution is to automate with a tool like Reputacion: SMS sent automatically after each service, filtering of unhappy customers, AI responses. All for $19/month.
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