How to Ask for a Review: 15 Templates for WhatsApp, SMS, Email and In Person

On this page

1. The five ingredients of a review request that gets answered
2. In person: what to say at the counter or on site
3. WhatsApp templates
4. SMS templates
5. Email templates
6. Templates by industry
7. What wording should you avoid?
8. When is the best time to send a review request?
9. Make asking automatic

Key takeaways

• Good review requests are personal, mention a specific detail, explain why reviews help, include a direct link and apply no pressure.
• 94% of consumers are open to writing reviews and 83% of those asked go on to leave one (BrightLocal, 2026).
• WhatsApp and SMS get read fastest for local businesses; email suits professional services and e-commerce.
• Never ask for 5 stars, offer rewards or ask only happy customers; these break Google's policies.
• Send one reminder at most, two to three days after the first request.

The best way to ask for a review is to make it personal, quick and specific: use the customer's name, mention what you did for them, explain in one line why reviews help you, and include a direct link to your Google review form. Send it soon after the job is done, through the channel the customer already uses with you. Don't ask for five stars or "positive" reviews; ask for honest feedback.

Below are fifteen templates you can adapt, organised by channel and by industry, along with the five ingredients that make a request work.

The five ingredients of a review request that gets answered#

1. Their name. It shows a person wrote it, not a system.
2. A specific detail. "Your AC service this morning" beats "your recent purchase".
3. Why it matters. One line: reviews help other people find you.
4. A direct link. Straight to your Google review form, not your homepage.
5. No pressure. Make it easy to ignore. Pressure produces resentful reviews.

The reason this works is simple. BrightLocal's 2026 survey found 94% of consumers are open to writing reviews, and 83% of those asked went on to leave one. People are willing. The message just needs to be easy to act on.

In person: what to say at the counter or on site#

Template 1: General

"Thanks so much for coming in today. We're a small team and Google reviews really help new customers find us. If you have a minute later, would you mind sharing how today went? I'll send you the link."

Template 2: After a great moment

"I'm really glad you're happy with it. Would you be up for telling other people about it on Google? Honest reviews make a huge difference for us. I'll WhatsApp you the link so it takes ten seconds."

Then actually send the link. The in-person ask creates the intention; the message makes it possible.

WhatsApp templates#

WhatsApp gets read quickly and feels personal, which makes it the strongest channel for many local businesses, especially in India.

Template 3: Standard

Hi Neha, thank you for choosing us for your kitchen deep clean today. If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate an honest Google review. It helps other families find us: [your review link] Thank you! Ravi, SparkClean

Template 4: Short and warm

Hi Arjun, hope you're enjoying the new haircut! Would you mind sharing a quick review on Google? [link] Thank you for coming in. Studio 9

Template 5: Reminder (send once, 2 to 3 days later)

Hi Neha, just a gentle reminder in case it slipped your mind. If you have a moment to share your experience on Google, it would mean a lot: [link]. No worries if not. Ravi

SMS templates#

SMS is shorter, so get to the point. Keep the link on its own and identify yourself, because people don't save business numbers.

Template 6:

Hi Tom, thanks for choosing Green Valley Dental today. Would you share your experience on Google? [link] Dr. Mehta's team

Template 7: After delivery

Hi Sara, your order from Oak & Ivy arrived today. Once you've had a chance to try it, we'd love an honest review: [link]

Email templates#

Email suits professional services, B2B and e-commerce. Use a clear subject line, keep it short, and make the link a button.

Template 8: Service business

Subject: How did we do, Karan?

Hi Karan,

Thank you for trusting us with your tax filing this year. We hope everything went smoothly.

We're a small firm, and most of our new clients find us through Google reviews. If you have two minutes, we'd be grateful if you could share an honest review of your experience.

[Leave a review on Google]

Thank you, Anita Rao, Rao & Associates

Template 9: E-commerce, sent a few days after delivery

Subject: Enjoying your new mattress?

Hi Priya, your mattress has had a few nights to settle in. If you're happy with it, or even if something isn't right, we'd really value your honest review. It helps other shoppers decide, and it helps us improve.

[Write a review]

If anything is wrong, just reply to this email and we'll sort it out.

Template 10: B2B or agency, after a milestone

Subject: A quick favour?

Hi Daniel, it's been great working with you on the website launch. If you're pleased with how it went, would you be open to sharing a short review on Google? Specifics, like what we helped you achieve, are the most useful for other businesses reading it.

[Leave a Google review]

Thanks either way, and congratulations on the launch.

Templates by industry#

Template 11: Clinic or healthcare

Hi Mrs. Kapoor, thank you for visiting Shanti Physiotherapy. We hope you're feeling better. If you'd like to share your experience, a Google review helps others find the right care: [link]. Please don't include any medical details in your review.

The last line matters: in healthcare, remind people not to share private health information publicly.

Template 12: Restaurant or café

Thanks for dining with us tonight, Vikram! If you enjoyed it, a quick Google review would really help our little kitchen: [link]

Template 13: Home services

Hi Mr. Joseph, your bathroom renovation is complete. Thank you for having us in your home. Most of our work comes from Google reviews, so if you have a minute, we'd love to hear your honest thoughts: [link]. Prakash, BuildRight

Template 14: Salon or spa

Hi Anjali, it was lovely seeing you today! If you're happy with your treatment, would you leave us a quick Google review? [link] See you next time. Glow Studio

Template 15: Coaching or education

Hi Mrs. Iyer, thank you for trusting us with Aarav's maths classes this term. If you've seen a difference, a Google review would help other parents decide: [link]

What wording should you avoid?#

Some phrases are common but break platform rules or simply backfire:

When is the best time to send a review request?#

As close as possible to the moment the customer experiences the value. For services, that's the same day. For products, it's after they've had a chance to use the item, usually two to five days after delivery. Our full guide to getting more Google reviews includes a timing table by business type.

Make asking automatic#

The templates only work if they get sent. The businesses that collect the most reviews build the request into a step that already happens: the invoice, the delivery update, the appointment wrap-up. Put the same link on your website too, so people who come back to your site can review you without searching. ReviewPine adds a "Write a review" button to every widget, right next to your existing Google reviews, so the page that shows your reputation also grows it.

Frequently asked questions

How do you politely ask a customer for a review?

Use their name, mention what you did for them, say in one line that reviews help others find you, and include your direct Google review link. Ask for honest feedback rather than a rating, and make it easy to ignore.

What is the best message to ask for a Google review?

A short, personal message sent soon after the service, for example: "Hi Neha, thank you for choosing us today. If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate an honest Google review: [link]. Thank you!"

Can I ask customers to leave a 5-star review?

You shouldn't. Asking for a specific rating pressures customers and conflicts with the spirit of Google's rules. Ask for honest feedback; satisfied customers will rate you well on their own.

How many times should I remind a customer to leave a review?

Once. A single polite reminder two to three days after your first message often helps, but repeated reminders annoy customers you've worked hard to please.

Is it okay to send review requests on WhatsApp?

Yes, if the customer has been in touch with you there or agreed to messages. Keep it personal, send it from the number they know, and include your direct review link.

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Written by

Anjanee Shukla

Founder, Ainygo Technologies

Anjanee Shukla is the founder of Ainygo Technologies and has been working in the technology industry for over 15 years. He has helped businesses worldwide by developing more than 1,000 websites, web applications, and digital solutions. His expertise spans WordPress, web development, website maintenance, hosting, automation, and business technology. Through this blog, he shares practical advice, technical knowledge, and real-world solutions gained from years of hands-on experience.

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