Businesses with 50 or more reviews get 266 percent more leads. Ask every happy client right after you finish cleaning their home. This guide covers when to ask, how to ask, and how to handle bad reviews.
Why Do Reviews Matter for Cleaning Businesses?
Reviews build trust with new clients. Most people read reviews before they hire a cleaner. Without reviews, they pick someone else.
Reviews Drive New Business
About 93 percent of people read online reviews before buying a service. For cleaning businesses, reviews are often the deciding factor. A strong review profile brings in steady leads.
Reviews Help You Rank Higher in Search
Google uses reviews as a ranking signal. More reviews with higher ratings push you up in local search results. This means more people find your business.
Reviews also help with search engine optimization. They add fresh content to your profile. They include keywords that people search for.
Reviews Build Social Proof
New clients feel safer hiring a cleaner others have praised. A cleaning business with 80 five-star reviews looks more trustworthy than one with three. Social proof turns browsers into paying clients.
Cleaning businesses with 50 or more Google reviews get 266 percent more leads. Businesses with fewer than 10 reviews get far less traffic.
When Is the Best Time to Ask for Reviews?
Timing is everything. Ask at the wrong time and you get ignored. Ask at the right time and you get a five-star review.
Right After the Cleaning
The best time to ask is right after you finish. The client sees a spotless home. They feel happy and grateful.
Send a text or email within one hour. The longer you wait, the less likely they are to respond.
After a Compliment
When a client says something nice, ask right then. A comment like "the house looks amazing" is your cue. Say "Thank you! Would you share that in a quick review?"
After a Milestone
Ask after you complete a big job. Deep cleans and move-out cleans are great chances. The client sees extra value and feels more willing to write.
Times to Avoid Asking
- After a complaint — fix the problem first, then ask later
- During a rush — if the client seems busy, wait for a better time
- Too many times — one or two reminders is enough, do not nag
How Do You Ask Clients for Reviews Without Being Pushy?
Many cleaners feel awkward asking for reviews. The trick is to keep it simple and natural. Make it easy for the client to say yes.
Ask in Person
A face-to-face request works best. After cleaning, say: "A Google review would really help me. It only takes a minute."
Keep it short. Do not give a long speech about why reviews matter.
Send a Text Message
Text messages have a high open rate. Send a simple message with a direct link to your review page. Here is an example:
"Hi [Name]! Thanks for choosing us today. If you have a minute, we would love a quick review. Here is the link: [link]"
Send a Follow-Up Email
Email works well for recurring clients. Keep the email short and include a direct link. Three to five sentences is all you need.
Use a Review Card
Print small cards with a link or a code to scan. Leave one at the home after each cleaning. This gives the client a gentle nudge without any pressure.
Review Request Templates
| Method | Template | Response Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Text message | "Hi [Name]! Thanks for today. A quick review helps us a lot: [link]" | 20 to 30 percent |
| "Thank you for choosing us! We would love your feedback: [link]" | 5 to 15 percent | |
| In person | "A Google review would really help me out. It only takes a minute." | 30 to 50 percent |
| Review card | Card left at home with a scannable code and short message | 5 to 10 percent |
Which Review Platforms Matter Most for Cleaning Businesses?
Not all review sites are equal. Some send you more leads than others. Focus your energy on the platforms that matter most.
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Why It Matters | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Shows in search results and Google Maps | Highest |
| Yelp | Popular for home services in many cities | High |
| Many homeowners check Facebook pages | High | |
| Nextdoor | Trusted by neighbors for local services | Medium |
| Thumbtack | Lead generation site with built-in reviews | Medium |
| Better Business Bureau | Adds credibility and trust signals | Low |
Focus on Google First
Google Business Profile is the most important platform. It shows your reviews right in search results. Most people search for cleaners on Google.
Set up your profile with your business name, address, phone number, and hours. Add photos of your work. Then start asking clients to review you there.
Do Not Ignore Yelp
Yelp matters in many cities for home services. But Yelp has strict rules about asking for reviews. They filter reviews they think are fake or asked for.
Instead of asking directly, add a "Find us on Yelp" badge to your website. Let clients find you there on their own.
Use Facebook for Social Proof
Facebook reviews show up on your business page. Many clients check Facebook before hiring. It also lets happy clients share your page with friends.
Create a short link to your Google review page. Use it in texts, emails, and on printed cards. The easier you make it, the more reviews you get.
How Do You Respond to Negative Reviews?
Bad reviews happen to every business. How you respond matters more than the review itself. A good response can turn a bad review into a win.
Stay Calm and Professional
Never argue with a reviewer. Take a deep breath before you type. A calm, professional response shows others you care about your clients.
Follow This Response Formula
- Thank them — thank the client for their feedback
- Apologize — say you are sorry they had a bad experience
- Offer a fix — ask to make it right, offer a re-clean or discount
- Take it offline — give your phone number or email for follow-up
Negative Review Response Templates
| Situation | Response Template |
|---|---|
| Missed a spot | "Thank you for letting us know. We are sorry we missed that. We would love to come back and fix it at no charge. Please call us at [number]." |
| Late arrival | "We are sorry for arriving late. We value your time. We have updated our schedule to prevent this. Please reach out so we can make it up to you." |
| General complaint | "Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry your experience was not what you expected. Please contact us at [email] so we can fix this." |
Why Responding Helps You
New clients read your response to bad reviews. They want to see that you handle problems well. A thoughtful response builds more trust than silence.
Businesses that respond to reviews get 35 percent more leads. It shows you care about every client.
How Do You Handle Fake or Unfair Reviews?
Sometimes you get a review from someone who was never a client. Other times a competitor leaves a fake review. Here is how to handle it.
Spot a Fake Review
Look for these signs of a fake review:
- No record of the client — you cannot find them in your system
- Vague details — they do not mention anything specific about the job
- Reviewer has no other reviews — brand new account with only one post
- Wrong details — they mention services you do not offer
Report the Review
Flag the review on the platform. On Google, click the three dots next to the review. Select "Report review" and explain why it is fake.
Google usually takes one to two weeks to respond. Keep a record of your report in case you need to follow up.
Respond to Unfair Reviews
If you cannot get the review removed, respond to it. Stay professional and state the facts.
Say something like: "We have no record of this job. Please contact us so we can look into this."
What Tools Help You Collect and Manage Reviews?
Managing reviews by hand takes too much time. Good tools make the process simple and automatic.
Review Collection Tools
- Jobber — sends review requests after each job
- Housecall Pro — automates review follow-ups by text and email
- Broadly — collects reviews and sends them to Google and Facebook
- Podium — sends review requests by text message
- NiceJob — automates the full review collection process
Free Ways to Collect Reviews
You do not need paid tools to start. Use these free methods:
- Google review link — create a short link to your Google review page
- Text messages — send a personal text after each job
- Email signature — add a review link to your email signature
- Printed cards — leave a review card at every home you clean
Review Monitoring
Set up Google alerts for your business name. Check your Google Business Profile weekly. Respond to every review within 24 to 48 hours.
Quick responses show clients you pay attention. They also signal to Google that your profile is active.
Need help finding your first clients? Read our guide on how to get cleaning clients. More clients means more chances for great reviews.
How Many Reviews Do You Need to Stand Out?
There is no magic number. But more reviews always help. Here is a general guide for cleaning businesses.
Review Count Benchmarks
| Review Count | What It Means | Impact on Leads |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 9 reviews | Just getting started | Low trust, few leads |
| 10 to 24 reviews | Building credibility | Some leads start coming in |
| 25 to 49 reviews | Solid reputation | Steady lead flow |
| 50 to 99 reviews | Trusted local business | 266 percent more leads |
| 100 or more reviews | Top competitor in your area | Dominant local presence |
Quality Over Quantity
A hundred three-star reviews will not help you. Focus on getting five-star reviews from happy clients. One great review is worth more than five average ones.
Stay Consistent
Aim to get two to four new reviews each month. A steady flow of reviews looks better than a big batch all at once. It also keeps your profile fresh and active.
Set a goal and track it. Ask every client, every time. Make it part of your process, not an afterthought.
Happy clients leave the best reviews. Learn how to retain your cleaning clients so they stay loyal and keep recommending you.