Getting reviews can be difficult, but it’s essential to a practice’s online visibility. Here are some simple ways to ask patients for Google reviews:

Be sure to not offer rewards in exchange for a review, as this could be considered buying reviews and is against Google’s policy. Make the process as easy as possible for your patients to ensure you get the reviews you need.

Send a Text or Email

Whether it’s a tour guide for a local attraction or a medical office, How to ask patients for Google reviews is a common way to drive new business. But navigating this process without sounding annoying or fawning can be nerve-wracking for many businesses.

Using text and email to ask for reviews can help to reduce anxiety and increase your chances of getting a response. When used strategically, it’s a powerful tool for improving your reputation and converting browsers into visitors.

When sending a text, keep the message short and simple and include a direct link to your review page. Try including this link on your appointment card, too, so that your patient can easily find it again later. Texting is also more likely to get a response than calling or emailing, and can be done from any location with internet access.

Ask in Person

You might have heard that online reviews make or break a business’s reputation. In fact, it’s estimated that 89% of customers worldwide consult online reviews before making a purchase. However, asking for reviews can be a nerve-wracking task for businesses. You want to avoid sounding too pushy or fawning, but you also don’t want to ignore customer feedback.

Fortunately, there are many ways to ask for reviews without making your patients feel harassed or pestered. Using review software, personalizing emails, and putting a link to your Google reviews on your appointment cards are just a few of the most effective tactics.

The more positive reviews you have, the better. Online reviews determine whether potential patients book appointments with your practice or move on to a competitor. So if you’re not actively acquiring reviews, it’s time to start. And remember, a little bit of work goes a long way. Be patient and you’ll have a strong, 5-star online reputation in no time.

Send a QR Code

QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned with a smartphone, directing the customer to specific content or actions. By incorporating Google Review QR Codes into your marketing and customer engagement strategies, you can prompt more customers to share their positive experiences on Google.

This process cuts the chain of steps required to write a review by eliminating the need for a customer to log into Google, search for your business, and then locate the review section. This simplifies the feedback process, making it much more likely that your customers will share their positive experiences with you.

You can print your review link or QR code on your appointment cards, which How to ask patients for Google reviews often keep and display in visible places around their home or office. You can also put it on your website, in your social media posts, or in your email signatures. The important thing is to make it as easy as possible for your customers to leave you a review.

Send a Follow-Up Email

Getting more reviews is a win for you and your patients. Providing fresh, unique content to Google and other review sites boosts your visibility in search. In addition, Google gives more weight to businesses with a diversified portfolio of quality, recent reviews.

Asking for reviews doesn’t have to be a difficult process for your practice. First, claim and optimize your online listings on all major review sites, including Google My Business, Facebook, Healthgrades, and Vitals. Then, use a tool like rater8 that integrates with your practice management system and automatically sends a review request to all new and existing patients after their visit.

Finally, don’t forget to personalize your review request emails. If your patient receives a generic email that reads as though it was sent to thousands of other customers they will likely ignore it. Instead, be sure to include the customer’s name, a personal “signature” from their doctor, and a link to where they can leave a review.