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In today’s digital age, reviews are more than just testimonials—they’re the lifeblood of business success. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. 74% check at least two sites for reviews before making a decision, and 53% prefer to read reviews that highlight positive experiences. With Google being the top platform consumers use to read reviews, it’s clear that reviews play a vital role in shaping business success.
What is Google Review?
Google Reviews are customer testimonials left directly on Google, tied to a business’s Google My Business (GMB) profile. These reviews show up in Google Search and Maps, providing potential customers with a snapshot of the service they can expect. While Google doesn’t verify the authenticity of reviews, their power cannot be denied. Google Reviews significantly impact local SEO, helping businesses rank higher in search results. They also serve as a trust signal for new customers, reassuring them that your business is reliable and worth their attention.
What is Trustpilot Review?
Trustpilot is an independent platform for customers to leave feedback about businesses, and it’s particularly popular in the e-commerce and online service sectors. Unlike Google, Trustpilot actively moderates reviews and offers businesses tools to engage with reviewers. This ensures a more controlled environment for managing feedback.
However, Trustpilot’s premium features allow businesses to pay for increased visibility, leading some users to question its objectivity. Despite this, Trustpilot remains an excellent tool for building a reputation, especially when your business serves a global or online customer base.
Why are customer reviews important for your business?
They help people discover you online – Reviews boost SEO and local search rankings by signaling to search engines that your business is active, trusted, and relevant. The more positive reviews you have, the more likely your business is to show up in search results when potential clients look for services like yours.
They can help you learn what’s working (and fix what’s not) – Honest feedback is gold. Reviews can highlight what customers love about your service and where you might need improvements. Paying attention to feedback helps refine your approach and improve your offerings.
They let your customers know you care – The experience you provide speaks for itself. If you deliver exceptional service, customers feel valued and are more likely to share their experience without needing direct engagement after the fact.
They boost your credibility – Social proof builds trust. When potential clients see real people vouching for your business, they feel more comfortable booking with you. The more quality reviews you have, the stronger your reputation.
They increase sales – People trust peer recommendations more than ads. A strong review profile can be the deciding factor when a potential customer is comparing you to competitors.
They create long-term customer relationships – When customers leave reviews and see that their feedback is appreciated, it fosters loyalty. Happy customers are more likely to refer others and return for future services.
They differentiate you from competitors – In a crowded market, a high number of positive reviews can set you apart from businesses with fewer or lower-rated reviews. This advantage can make all the difference when a potential customer is choosing between similar services.
How to Use Your Favorite Reviews in Your Marketing
At Bigwig Photography, I carefully select the reviews that resonate with me personally and reflect my brand. I feature these testimonials on blog posts, my website, and mostly on social media platforms like Instagram. But the power of reviews doesn’t stop there – I also use them in promotional materials, and even in client proposals to reinforce my services. It’s about showing potential clients that others trust me to deliver exceptional results.
What you should be aware of when asking for reviews on these platforms?
Getting reviews is crucial, but how you ask for them matters just as much. Some customers are happy to share their experience, while others need a little nudge. However, pushing too hard can backfire. Here are key things to keep in mind:
Google and Trustpilot have guidelines on soliciting reviews. Make sure you follow them to avoid getting flagged.
Fake or incentivized reviews can lead to penalties.
Not all customers will leave a review, no matter how great their experience was.
Timing is everything. Asking right after a successful interaction increases the chances of a response.
Make it easy! Provide direct links to your review pages.
DO'S and DON'Ts
✔️ Ask for reviews in a friendly, non-pushy way.
✔️ Make the process effortless by sending direct links.
✔️ If you have time respond to every review (good or bad) to show you value feedback.
✔️ Time your request wisely – right after delivering the service is ideal.
✔️ Use positive reviews in your marketing and social media.
✔️ Educate customers on how to leave a review if they’re unfamiliar with the process.
✔️ Keep track of reviews and analyze feedback to improve your services.
✔️ Express gratitude for every review, even if you don’t respond publicly.
❌ Don't spam clients with multiple requests.
❌ Don't offer incentives in exchange for reviews (violates Google’s policies).
❌ Don't write fake reviews or ask friends/family to do so.
❌ Don't ignore negative reviews – learn from them instead.
❌ Don't wait too long to ask for a review. The fresher the experience, the better.
❌ Don't buy fake reviews
❌ Don't pressure clients to leave only 5-star reviews – honest feedback is more valuable.
Google vs. Trustpilot: Which Review Platform Is Best for Your Business?
If your goal is visibility and SEO, Google Reviews are the way to go. They directly impact your rankings on Google Maps and local searches, making them essential for businesses that rely on local clients.
Trustpilot, on the other hand, is more useful for building an independent reputation, especially for e-commerce or international businesses. However, it doesn’t carry the same weight in Google search results as Google Reviews do.
For a photography business like ours, Google Reviews are the top priority because they help us rank higher on Maps, appear in local search results, and build trust instantly when people Google our name.
How to get customer reviews from Google and Trustpilot?
At Bigwig Photography, we’ve built a reputation with over 200+ Google & Trustpilot reviews and nearly 400+ reviews on other platforms. Here’s what works for us:
We send the review request along with the final gallery – This way, the excitement is fresh, and clients are more likely to respond.
If we receive a message like “We love the gallery!” but no review follows, we send a friendly follow-up email after a few weeks as a gentle reminder.
We don’t overdo it – People are busy, and being too persistent can be annoying. A second follow-up is okay, but beyond that, it feels pushy and non-professional.
In the early days, we followed up more aggressively – When we were starting out, we needed reviews to build our reputation and rank higher on Google. Now, we’re more selective about who we follow up with.
We trust our gut – Some clients have an amazing experience but just aren’t the type to leave reviews. If we sense that, we don’t send a reminder. Just wait for the other costumer who will be willing to write one.
Deliver Exceptional Service – We believe in offering more than just a photo session and gallery delivery. It’s about creating a memorable experience. It’s not just about the photo session and delivering the galleries—it’s about being professional, responding promptly, and creating lasting memories. In a country with cold winters, offering handwarmers shows our clients we care. If needed, we also bring small snacks. It’s the details that count.
Should I ask for reviews long after the experience?
While is ideal to ask immediately when you have delivered, remember that you can always go back and ask for a client review if you haven't done so before. It has happened to me that a client loved the session and all the images I delivered, but they never left a review. Later, when I wanted to post on social media or update my marketing materials, I realized I needed their testimonial—so I reached out.
In these cases, it's really important to be super friendly and make it personal. Ask how they’re doing, mention something memorable from their session, and make the request feel warm and genuine. Otherwise, what’s the point? Reviews aren’t just about boosting your business; they’re about celebrating the connection you had with your client and the experience you shared.
People feel more comfortable hiring someone who has established credibility. Many of my clients have booked with me after reading reviews. In fact, one couple mentioned they chose me simply because I have the highest rating on Google and showed up first in their search results. This feedback made me incredibly proud. Over the years, I’ve spent time reminding clients to leave reviews, and now the effort has paid off. Clients who value professionalism, communication, and an exceptional product choose to work with me, and that’s what matters most.
Reviews are not just good for marketing; they’re also a powerful confidence boost. Like all entrepreneurs, I have my ups and downs. When I feel low, I often turn to my favorite reviews. They remind me that what I do is worth it and that my clients truly appreciate my work. Reading their kind words gives me a great sense of energy and motivation to keep going.
And there’s always that reminder – people travel from all over the world, sometimes changing their travel plans, just to work with me. I am truly one of the lucky ones, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.