You know your business provides great service. Customers leave happy, they say they’ll leave a review… and then? Silence.
It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone. Over 70% of customers say they’re willing to leave a review, yet less than 10% actually follow through. Why does this happen, and more importantly, how can you fix it?
The good news is that the problem isn’t that people don’t want to leave reviews—it’s that life gets in the way. Fortunately, there’s a simple fix that can dramatically increase your review count.
The Real Reason Customers Don’t Leave Reviews
Many businesses assume that if customers aren’t leaving reviews, they must be unhappy or uninterested. But that’s rarely the case. In reality, the biggest reason people don’t follow through is forgetfulness.
Think about it: The moment your customer leaves your shop, they’re immediately pulled back into their daily routine. They’re picking up kids, running errands, answering emails. Even if they had a great experience, writing a review simply isn’t at the top of their priority list.
The longer you wait to ask, the more likely your request will be ignored or forgotten entirely.
The Fix: The Right Timing and the Right Approach
If you want more reviews, you need to make it easy, immediate, and personal. Here’s how:
1. Timing: The Sooner, the Better
Most businesses wait too long to ask for a review. If you send your request the next day—or worse, several days later—you’re asking a customer to remember details that no longer feel relevant to them.
Instead, send your review request within 30 minutes to an hour after service. At this point, your business is still fresh in their mind, and they’re much more likely to take action.
A well-timed request means less effort for the customer and a higher chance they’ll follow through.
2. Visibility: Stand Out from the Noise
We all ignore notifications. Your customers do too. If your review request blends in with promotional emails or generic texts, it’ll get buried and forgotten.
Here’s how to make it stand out:
✅ Use their name. A simple “Hey [First Name]” feels more personal than “Dear Valued Customer.”
✅ Keep it short. Long, complicated messages get ignored. Stick to one or two short sentences with a clear ask.
✅ Use a direct link. The easier it is for them to leave a review, the more likely they are to do it.
3. Make Them Care: Why Reviews Matter
Most customers don’t realize how important their review actually is. They assume it’s just another comment lost in the crowd.
But when you tell them their review helps small businesses grow, improves service, or supports the team that worked on their car, they’re more likely to take action.
Try something like:
💬 “Your review helps other people feel confident choosing us. If you could leave one, it would mean a lot.”
💬 “We love hearing from our customers! Your feedback helps us improve and serve you better.”
This small tweak makes a big difference.
The Power of a Follow-Up Reminder
Even with perfect timing, some customers will still forget to leave a review. That’s where a simple follow-up can make all the difference.
A second reminder—sent 48 hours after the initial request—gently nudges customers without being pushy. If they didn’t have time to leave a review before, this extra prompt gives them another opportunity when they might be more available.
A well-timed follow-up can significantly increase response rates, turning more of those “willing but forgetful” customers into actual reviewers. The key is to keep it friendly, non-intrusive, and just as easy to complete as the first request.
What Happens When You Get More Reviews?
Aside from strengthening your reputation, an increase in reviews has real business benefits:
✔ Higher search rankings – Google prioritizes businesses with frequent, recent reviews.
✔ More trust from new customers – People trust businesses with a solid number of positive reviews.
✔ A stronger online presence – More reviews mean more engagement, which boosts visibility.
And when reviews highlight positive experiences, they serve as free marketing—convincing others to choose your business before you ever speak to them.
Final Thoughts
Customers don’t skip leaving reviews because they don’t care—they just forget.
By sending your request at the right time, keeping it short and personal, and making it easy for them to respond, you’ll see way more reviews—without having to nag your customers.
If you want to automate the process and make it effortless, there are tools that can handle review requests for you.
